Students doing a GR8 Job keeping schools safe | Community Spirit

Greene County educators and officials are counting on 200 elementary students to do a GR8 Job and keep their classmates safe.

Each school in the county selected two students from grades 2 through 6 to be trained as Student Safety Team Members.

On Thursday the students gathered at the Paragould Community Center to undergo crisis training.

Their teachers were area firefighters, police officers, even meteorologists.

Kristie Ford is the Safety Team Coordinator for Baldwin Elementary.  She said after receiving their training the children will return to their schools and be the “eyes and ears” for their classes.

Mindy Tritch of Greene County Tech reiterated Ford’s comment, adding the children “learn what to do if there’s a tornado drill or an earthquake or fire.”

In addition to learning how to respond to an emergency, the students also learned hands-only CPR.

The close of Thursday’s training session was not the end of the students’ learning.

In addition to individual training, Ford says the students will participate in emergency drills throughout the year and will meet monthly for more extensive training.

 “We’ll take a field trip to the hospital and do CPR training,” Ford said.

This is the 5th year Baldwin Elementary has participated in the program. 

It’s the 2nd year for Greene County Tech and already it’s a hit, according to Tritch.  “We’ve had a great turnout,” she said.  “We just love it.”

Ford says it’s a great experience for the students, their classmates and their teachers.

“They have given me wonderful advice,” she said.  “It’s kind of great what kids see through their eyes at the school.  They’re always giving me ideas on how I can make the school safer.”

Keep up the GR8 Job, kids.  Your schools are counting on you.

To nominate someone in your neighborhood, send an email to YourRegion8@kait8.com explaining the GR8 Job they’re doing.