LITTLE EGG HARBOR – An enthusiastic crowd gathered at the local branch of the Ocean County Public Library recently, eager to participate in a program entitled “Kids, Cops & Safety Rocks.”
The community-centered initiative included participation from various groups representing both Ocean County and Little Egg Harbor. Among the familiar faces were several teachers from the local school district, who distributed snacks and encouraged families to gather and engage in coloring activities.
“We’re here as part of a campaign called Pride in Education,” shared Amanda Clinton, a teacher at the Frog Pond Elementary School, and a representative of the Little Egg Harbor Teacher Association. “We try to interact with the families and let them know that we care about their children, not just when in they’re in school.”
Children moved into rows of seats in the central area of the library, where they were warmly welcomed by Junior Recruits from the Little Egg Harbor Department and representatives from the Mental Health Association of Ocean County. The facilitators initiated a dialogue about bullying and engaged the children by offering a selection of prizes for correct answers.
Little Egg Harbor Police Department Junior Recruits assisted the Mental Health Association of Ocean County in their presentation on bullying. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
The objective included identification of different types of bullying, including physical, verbal, emotional and cyberbullying. The focus was on teaching respect for other people and their feelings.
Melissa Kellner, the Director of Employment and Youth Services for the Ocean County Mental Health Association said it was the first time the group had presented the program on bullying to young children. Their target audience is generally teenagers who are in high school.
The children remained engaged as each received a handout featuring the word “Kindness” spelled out vertically and was encouraged to fill in anti-bullying words for each letter.
Just about anyone could benefit from the suggestions offered by kids as young as kindergarten age. One boy equated the “N” with nice, while another felt the “E” represented empathy. Another thought “equality” was a better fit for the same letter. The “S” emphasized the need for safety and security.
Activities kept the children entertained while they learned. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Katie Munn, a former BMX competitor and ESL teacher, stepped up to lead the next segment of the program with a hands-on demonstration on bike safety. Munn presented two distinct helmets, highlighting that one was specifically designed for bicycles while the other was intended for skateboards.
“A certified bike helmet has a harder plastic in in it,” Munn explained. “Because you go a lot faster on a bicycle than you do on a skateboard. The harder plastic keeps your head a little safer.”
Munn also explained the importance of performing safety inspections before making the decision to ride a bike. She singled out grips, handlebars and pedals, before moving on to tires.
Michael Fearns speaks with Detective Tom Scalzullo of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s office about registering his grandson with the Special Needs Registry. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
By the end of the session, the children learned how to determine the proper pressure needed to pump a flat tire. They also watched a demonstration on changing the inner tube on a tire that needed replacement.
Local law enforcement officers were also available to check car seat installations during the half day safety presentation. Detective Tom Scalzullo of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s office was also on hand to discuss the Ocean County Special Needs Registry.
“Anyone within the county can go on OCSNRNJ.com and register a family member with special needs,” said Scalzullo. “It’s good to let the police know of any disabilities and any special needs so the police know what they’re responding to in case they’re called.
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