|
Team SAFE-T - Deptartment of Education Letter to Schools TO: District Superintendents & School Principals I am writing to share information about an innovative new program that will be available to you for use beginning this fall. It's called Team SAFE-T: A California Partnership for Safety and Preparedness. We live in a state where disasters are commonplace, and we have a responsibility and duty to teach our children the skills necessary to help themselves and those around them when an emergency or natural disaster strikes. Team SAFE-T will help us teach these skills while at the same time comply with state mandates. As you are aware, California has implemented mandates to teach such skills for earthquake and fires throughout the state and for winter weather in Northern California. In collaboration with the California Department of Education, Red Cross, California Professional Firefighters, the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, the California Service Corps and many other important organizations, Team SAFE-T created an age-appropriate program with integrated lesson plans, discussion topics, activities and take-home materials * all focused on delivering skills needed to respond to difficult situations. Team SAFE-T lesson plans and supporting materials are available to California schools at no cost at www.teamsafe-t.org. This website has been designed for you to sign on, register and search for materials needed for grades K-12. Of special note, First Lady Maria Shriver has endorsed Team SAFE-T, which is being hailed as a key education component of the Be Smart. Be Responsible. Be Prepared. Be Ready! campaign. I urge you to take a look at this program and incorporate it into your schools during School Safety Month, particularly Team SAFE-T week October 3-7. With questions or for additional information contact Team SAFE-T Program Director Margaret Bush-Ware by phone at (310) 777-0092 or by e-mail at mbushware@teamsafe-t.org. Team SAFE-T is an important and innovative program that will empower our children and their families by providing the knowledge and skills needed to effectively respond in various emergency situations, and it will provide our schools with the tools to meet state mandates. Please join Team SAFE-T, and pave the way to a safer and more prepared California. Sincerely, Jack O'Connell |