School safety becomes hands-on at Lay Elementary

Lay students posed for a photo in front of the Air Medic helicopter as part of school safety week

October 20-26 was School Safety Week in Knox County Public Schools and other districts across Kentucky. This year’s theme, “Kindness, Unity and Empathy”, went beyond the traditional topics of natural disaster and human crisis.  School Safety Week stands on the belief that everybody should attend a safe and welcoming school, treated equally and with respect.

Lay students posed for a photo in front of the Air Medic helicopter as part of school safety week

Lay Elementary’s Family Resource Center, led by DeLisa Estes, combined both to introduce emergency responders to students as a person they can trust and turn to with questions and share their fears.

On Tuesday afternoon, board member Kevin Hinkle representing the Barbourville Fire Department gave students a up-close look at a fire truck and the equipment that is used.

Two visits occurred on Wednesday.  In the morning, the district’s School Resource Officers bridged the gap between enforcer and friend to build a positive relationship with students.   Later that afternoon, Susie Prichard and Charles Henson from the school district’s transportation department visited to discuss school bus safety.

Thursday kicked off with a visit from Kentucky State Police PIO Shane Jacobs and was followed by a helicopter landing from the Air Medical group.

Additional photos are available in the kcps.photos gallery.