This month, our clocks “fell back” an hour, resulting in darker evening commutes. What does that mean for students?
The end of daylight-saving Time (DST) means that students and families should consider extra safety measures when traveling home from school in the evening and be patient with themselves in adjusting to the change in time.
Sonitrol Great Lakes invites school administrators to please share with parents and their children these daylight-saving safety tips.
When walking or biking home from school:
Wear bright colors. Winter means shorter days, and it might be darker on the way home from school. Wear bright colors that can easily be spotted by drivers, or wear a backpack, jacket, or hat featuring reflective fabric.
Don’t go alone. If old enough to walk or bike without an adult, arrange to travel home with a friend or group. Parents with younger children may want to reconsider having them walk during the winter months with less daylight.
Stay alert. It is easy to get distracted by a mobile phone, cars, and other pedestrians when walking to school. Always remember to keep alert and aware of one’s surroundings and walk on the designated sidewalk or walkway.
Cross the street safely. Maintain focus and look for oncoming traffic in both directions before crossing the street. Continue to look for vehicles until having finished crossing.
When riding the bus:
Get to the bus stop early. Arrive at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive at the bus stop. Ensure that your child is always six feet (or three giant steps) away from the curb/roadway.
Get on, off, and ride the bus safely. Wait until the bus has completely stopped and the door is open before attempting to enter or exit and use the handrail on the stairs. When the bus is in motion, stay seated, keep all body parts and school materials inside the bus, ensure the aisle is clear of books and bags, and use a seatbelt if one is provided.
Always use caution around the bus. The United States Department of Transportation states that almost all bus-related injuries involving children happen outside and around the bus. The “danger zone” is considered 10 feet around the bus on all sides. Never walk behind a school bus and always make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing (at least 10 feet) in front of the bus to ensure that you are seen. If your child drops something near the school bus like a phone or a book, the safest thing to do is to tell the bus driver right away before attempting to retrieve the item to ensure they are aware.
When adjusting to the time change:
Create a routine. For children, it is especially important to create and stick with a routine to adjust to the change in time. Routines create structure and promote mental, physical, and emotional health. For example: set specific times to turn electronics off, be in bed, and have lights out.
Be sympathetic. Adjusting sleep patterns will affect everyone differently. Remember to be patient with yourself and those around you during this time.
Get enough sleep. According to Johns Hopkins University, “Studies have shown that kids who regularly get an adequate amount of sleep have improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, and overall mental and physical health.” Identify the baseline number of hours your child(ren) needs to feel rested and ensure their bedtime routine reflects this each day.