Keeping Our Children Safe
Dear Parents and Community Members,
We work very hard to make sure your children are safe at school, just as we hope you do to make certain they are safe at home. Unfortunately, there are reports every year of individuals who may try to lure children into their vehicles, and we want to do whatever it takes to help prevent that from ever occurring.
The following websites are provided to help make you aware of the names and addresses of registered sex offenders. This is potentially helpful information, but certainly anyone attempting to approach or lure a child into a vehicle could also be from far outside the community. This is why we all must be vigilant in regard to child safety.
If you or your child are ever aware of any specific concern regarding child safety, please contact a school administrator or the Peru Police Department immediately.
Following are some tips that may help children stay safe if they are walking or riding their bike to or from school, walking to or from bus stops, or just playing outside. Please talk to your children about these safety tips and what to do if they are ever encountered by a stranger. Remember that there is no substitution for direct parental supervision, particularly for younger children.
~ Take the same route to and from school and make sure your parents know your route in case your parents or the police need to look for you.
~ If someone or something causes you to deviate from this route, let your parents know, as well as the school. This could be because of a suspicious person, dog, bullies, or something that makes you feel uncomfortable.
~ If you carry a cell phone, keep it in your hand so you can press and hold down the “9” key to call 911 in an emergency. The cell phone can also be used as an impact weapon to strike an assailant in the nose/forehead area, or on the wrist to release a grasp long enough to get away.
~ Carry your book bag so it can easily slip off of your shoulders so you can get away in the event someone grabs it.
~ As you are running away, yell loudly to attract attention. Run to a house where you see lights on or a car in the driveway. Pound on the door and scream until you get someone’s attention.
~ Do not try to hide in garages, bushes, or behind fences. If possible, stay in the open and yell loudly to attract attention.
~ If walking alone at night, carry a flashlight and wear reflective or light colored clothing.
~ If you are grabbed, yell, kick, punch, bite, or do whatever you have to in order to get away. Keep running and do not look back.
~ Never approach a car that you do not know the occupants. Never accept a ride from someone you do not know, even if they say it is okay.
~ Be aware of your surroundings. If you have your iPod playing loudly or are not paying attention, you may not hear traffic or someone else yelling for help.
~ If something or someone makes you feel uncomfortable or uneasy, tell an adult. After you get away, try to remember what the person looks like, including clothing, hair, height, weight, or a vehicle description and license plate number.
~ Never go anywhere after school that makes you late coming home without notifying your parents.
~ If possible, walk with a friend or two. There is safety in numbers.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact the District Office at 815-223-1111 or the Peru Police Department at 815-223-2151. Thank you.
Jamie Craven Sarah Raymond
Superintendent of Schools Chief of Police
