Kids Learn Cycle Safety From Pro Trick Biker, Others

With a special program Thursday, taught children about staying safe this summer. 

Community member Kari Sullivan and Principal Amy Clarke were concerned this past fall with the number of students in the community that were not wearing safety helmets or following simple safety rules while biking and walking in the neighborhoods surrounding Spencer School. After meeting with the Parent-Teacher Organization, the entire school decided to do something about it as a school-family-community partnership.

This week, students learned how to stay safe while enjoying summer activities, especially bicycling and walking in their neighborhoods. During “Safety Day” each student was taught not only the importance of wearing a safety helmet but also shown how to wear it correctly. Activities were incorporated into classroom activities and culminated with a full-day of safety activities. All students wore their safety helmets to school and demonstrated their knowledge of street safety on the Spencer School Safety Course and a school wide pledge to wear their safety helmets. 

“Bike riding is a lot of fun and great for our students’ health, but accidents happen," said Clarke. “Every year, about 300,000 kids go to the emergency department because of bike injuries, and at least 10,000 kids have injuries that require a few days in the hospital. The staff and community at Spencer School care about our students’ well-being and want to make sure that they are ready for a safe summer vacation.”

Also, 100 students received new safety helmets, donated by the Middletown Elks Lodge 771 organized by David Greaves and the Rocky Hill / Wethersfield Elks Lodge 2308. Eight students received new bicycles donated by members of Middletown Elks Lodge 771, New England Financial and

Other partners included Spencer Gates from to make sure all students’ helmets fit correctly. Sandy Fry from the Capitol Region Council of Governments provided bicycle-themed learning materials. 

Other activities include a professional trick bike performer Brian Emberly, traffic obstacle courses, and visits from Rocky the Rock Cat and Officer Derek Puorro of the Middletown Police Department.