Sutherland Elementary Safety Fair Attracts Big Crowd

If you saw the parking lot of Sutherland Elementary School Thursday night, may have thought there was a big emergency going on.

But, the emergency vehicles and deputy cruisers were there for different reason; to teach parents and kids how to stay safe.

Thursday night,  held its 2nd Annual Back to School Dinner & Safety Fair sponsored by the school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

“It’s a fabulous opportunity for the community to come together,” said Principal Kristy Cantu.  “It gives our PTA the opportunity to support the needs of all of our parents.”

More than 150 people attended the annual event, which is the brainchild of the PTA’s Safety Chairperson Glenn Hayes. His wife, Maria, serves as the organization's treasurer.  “We believe in the PTA and what we stand for,” said Maria Hayes, “One voice for every child.”

Representatives from the following organizations were there to give kids and parents important safety tips. 

• Palm Harbor Fire and Rescue  “Our goal is to raise awareness,” said PHFR Public Educator Kris Scholz. “Families should develop a fire safety plan, and ensure that all smoke alarms in their homes are in working order.
• U.S. Coast Guard  “Life jackets save lives,” said Coast Guard Auxiliary member Ron Foster. “Last year over 1000 people drowned in boating accidents. Many of those lives could have been saved had they been wearing a life jacket.”
• Florin & Roebig Law Firm  “We are committed to keeping the children in the community safe by providing free helmets to needy children in the community,” said Diana Capo, the law firm’s office administrator.” We gave out 600 free helmets last year.”

• Ident-a-Kid  “When a child comes up missing, if they have the Immediate Response Card supplied, law enforcement has every bit of personal information about the child they need to help in the search,” said Cheryl Leonard, a certified representative from the Child Rescue Network.  

• AAA Travel Katie and Jeanne Ball stressed how committed AAA Travel is to keeping kids in the community safe. The organization emphasizes bicycle safety, driver safety, and Halloween safety. “People in the community are not aware how active the AAA is involved in school safety," said Katie Ball.
• Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Deputies Elizabeth Brady and Don Klase talked about internet safety. “Be mindful of what your children are looking at on the internet,” said Klase. “Always use security settings, and Don’t Be Afraid to Ask!”
• Florida Highway Patrol “We want to ensure that students know that the police are their friends,” said Sgt Steve Gaskins, Florida Highway Patrol's Public Affairs Officer. “At events like this we interact with kids and their families. We want them to see what we do, and developing a rapport with them is very important.”

• Red Cross of Tampa Bay Amanda Cullison, a Red Cross representative was distributing Vial of Life containers.  “If there in an emergency situation, the first response team will check a person’s refrigerator for the Vial of Life sticker. The vial will contain all of a person’s vital information. It can save lives,” she said.

People in attendance were also permitted to board the Pinellas County School District's Safety Bus which provided information about bus safety.

Food for the event was catered by Queen's Pizza Sutherland cafeteria staff members, Ana Iverson and Kathy Kipp volunteered their time to take care of the food service.

PTA President Kym Snyder, and seven board members, all wearing Sutherland colors,  were stationed all around the meeting room; greeting people, handing out t-shirts, and passing out important information about the school and the PTA.  

Snyder says the duties of a PTA President keep her busy, but she finds the job fulfilling, “I love to be around my kids at school. I have always been active in their education. This is my second year as Sutherland’s PTA President. I have learned to delegate responsibilities to the other members. They do a fantastic job,” she said.

All of the parents and students who attended the Safety Fair left with great information and bags of free promotional items from all of the organizations.

The PTA plans to continue to make the Safety Fair an annual event.