In the Alhambra School District, student safety is our top priority. Although we review safety precautions with students, it is imperative the school and parents team together. Whether students are walking to and from school, or even playing in the neighborhood, certain precautions should always be taken to ensure the safety of your child(ren). Please take a few minutes to reinforce the following “stranger danger” guidelines with your child(ren).

Advice for children:

• Always be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious activity immediately to a parent, responsible adult, teacher, school administrator, or police officer.
• Never walk alone. Always walk in pairs or with a group.
• Take well-traveled, open routes to school. Avoid alleys or poorly lit areas.
• Do not respond to calls or comments from strangers.
• Never go anywhere with someone you don’t know.
• Stay away from an adult who is asking children for help, as in seeking directions
• or looking for a lost puppy.
• Don’t let a stranger into your home.
• If you have any fear of an adult stranger speaking to you, walk away.
• If someone grabs your wrist, make your arm spin like a windmill; yell as loud as you
• can; then run.
• If you’re riding your bicycle, keep the bike between you and the adult.

Advice for parents:

• Keep young children at play outside your home or in the park within view.
• Make sure that outdoor activities are supervised.
• Teach your children that they can use any telephone, even a pay phone, to call 911.
• Teach your children that it’s okay to say “no” to what they sense is wrong.
• Have your child photographed at least once a year, more often if under 5 years old.

I hope these tips are useful for your family. Please take the time to talk with your child(ren) about this important topic.