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Education

Children Learn Safety From To-Scale Newtown

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From July 25 to August 12 the Newtown Police Department, Edmond Town Hall, and the flagpole are not only on Main Street, but in smaller form behind Newtown Youth & Family Services (NYFS), 15 Berkshire Road.

The replicated town is part of Safety Town, a weeklong safety education program for children entering kindergarten, which started its first of three sessions on July 25.

The program, which has about 25 children enrolled for each session offered through NYFS, teaches children about fire, bike, and water safety, said Matt Ariniello, the director of operations and development for NYFS.

Safety Town also teaches children the rules of the road as they tricycle around replicated Newtown, Mr Ariniello said. Children learn from visitors who come to the program, including police officers, instructors from Porco's Karate Academy who teach self defense, and emergency medical technicians, he added.

Firefighters from Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co. visited on July 27 to teach the children about fire safety, the gear firefighters wear, and one of the trucks they use.

Erica Knapp, one of the firefighters who spoke to the children, said she enjoyed teaching them.

"I think it's important for kids to learn fire safety at a young age," Ms Knapp said.

Mr Ariniello said the program really helps to develop relationships between the children and first responders.

"[We've received] great response from parents, so far," Mr Ariniello said.

Wyatt Binkowski tried on a firefighter's helmet on July 27 during Safety Town at Newtown Youth & Family Services. (Bee Photo, Peck)
Jack Travis rounded a corner of replicated Newtown on a tricycle at Safety Town. (Bee Photo, Peck)
Firefighter Erica Knapp showed children one of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue's trucks on July 27, outside of NYFS. (Bee Photo, Peck)
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