School Safety Reminders!!!

• Do not play in the street while waiting for the bus
• Carry all loose belongings in a bag or backpack and never reach under the school bus to get anything that has rolled or fallen beneath it
• Line up facing the bus, not along side it
• Move immediately onto the sidewalk and out of traffic after getting off the bus
• Wait for a signal from the bus driver before crossing the street and walk at least 10 steps away from the front of the bus so the driver can see you
• Cross the street at corners using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Never run out between parked cars or in the middle of the block

FOR PARENTS OF TEENS: Remember that many crashes occur while novice teen drivers are going to and from school. You may want to limit the number of teen passengers to prevent driver distraction. Do not allow your teen to drive while eating, drinking, or talking on a cell phone

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Smart Snacks for Kids
Snacking is smart when kids are hungry and need fuel to get through a long stretch between meals. Smart snacks give kids important nutrients, too. The snack suggestions below are nutritious and taste great.*

• Cup or tube of low-fat fruit yogurt
• Bowl of cereal (preferably whole grain)-hot or cold
• Cheese stick
• Handful of peanuts, almonds or trail mix
• Frozen fruit bar
• Any fresh fruit such as grapes, an apple, banana or orange
• Any dried fruit such as raisins, apricots or cranberries
• Easy-to-eat veggies such as celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots and cut-up green peppers
• Graham crackers
• Cereal bar or granola bar
• Pudding cup
• Fruit cup (in water or juice) or applesauce
• Whole-wheat crackers smeared with peanut butter
• Salsa and baked tortilla chips
• Hummus (chickpea dip) and pita bread
• Microwave popcorn (light)
• Cold piece of roast chicken or slice of pizza

• Pack light. A backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of a child's body weight.
• Organize the backpack so that the heaviest items are closest to the center of the back.
• Choose a pack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.
• Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles and may increase curvature of the spine.

For more information, please visit Pediatric Views from Children's Hospital Boston and read their October 2006 article.