Well visible, even in the morning mist

At the Upper Bavarian kick-off event of the campaign “Safe to School – Safe Home” at the elementary school Dorfen Nord, the first graders learn how to behave at the traffic light, at the zebra crossing, and at school helpers.

Sitting in chairs for just one whole hour, being quiet and listening to adults is a challenge for first graders. The freshmen from elementary school Dorfen Nord did a great job when the Upper Bavarian kick-off event “Safe to School – Safe Home” took place on Friday. And because this is a very important issue, many people have come to point out: The head of the school was there, the police chief, the mayor of Dorfen, the government president and the two ladies from the CSU and the SPD, in the state legislature want to be elected.

The ADAC Foundation, the Sparkasse Dorfen, and the Verkehrswacht Dorfen have donated the yellow warning vests with reflective fabrics.

Rector Gerhard Maintok first of all welcomed and then asked the parents present if they could not ask grandparents or other people who had time for them if they could not make themselves available as student guides, because “there is a huge hiccup”.

Afterward, school principal Marion Bauer asked the first graders if they liked school and everybody called “Jaaa” loudly. She said that the first graders are already big and should go to school alone; not like in kindergarten, where a mom and dad would always have accompanied. And then there was a little question and answer game on how to behave at the traffic lights, like at the zebra crossing and what the police have to watch out for. Almost everyone knew that and had worked hard. The students of the second and third classes then sang songs on the lights and traffic lights on the stage and played them scenic. There was a lot of applause.

Government President Maria Els then said that 42,000 children have been enrolled in Upper Bavaria this year, 1,600 more than the year before and that this “gigantic challenge” was well done. It is important that no one on the way to school something happens and the first graders at the end of the event because of yellow amber vests with reflective tapes, so you could still see well in the morning fog.

Afterward, the students of the third class were allowed to ask questions to the visitors. Mayor Heinz Grundner explained what the city of Dorfen is doing for the safety of the students. Deputy district councilor Gertrud Eichinger denied the question of whether or not there had been life jackets when she was enrolled. They did not even exist when their own children have enrolled 20 years ago. “But at least I was a school mate,” Eichinger said for four years.

Police chief Gunther Gilet told the students that the police would now pay close attention to the schools in September so that the road users would drive slowly and carefully so that no one would be endangered. “We also scold your parents when they are in the parking ban or not buckle up.”

Peter Starnecker, vice president of the traffic police Bavaria said that 50 years ago almost two school classes died in traffic accidents. Unfortunately, this spring four children were killed in traffic accidents. That’s why it is also very important that there are enough school helpers and that you should only cross the street where they stand, even if that requires a little detour. Then the guests of honor handed out the safety vests and the school day was over.