New Resources Available Through ODPS "Safe Streets Safe Schools Campaign

 

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) and the Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC), both divisions of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, today announced the release of new online resources to support the ongoing “Safe Streets Safe Schools” campaign. This campaign was launched two years ago to make sure students know what they need to do to be safe both at school and on the road.

The updated materials are being launched to align with National Teen Driver Safety Week (Oct. 19-25) and Ohio School Safety Month. These OTSO and OSSC resources can help schools, families, and communities take an active role in promoting safe decisions and driving behaviors, including:

• Updated Safety Pledges – for students of all ages and their parents to commit to safe choices on the road and in schools.

• Social Media Toolkit – with ready-to-use graphics, posts, and messaging to help schools and community partners spread awareness.

• Guided Safety Activities for Students – interactive group activities to engage students in learning safe behaviors in a vehicle and wellness strategies in school.

New this year, OSSC and OTSO are introducing the Champion School Challenge – a statewide initiative where high schools can complete “Safe Streets Safe Schools” activities to earn recognition and rewards. Interested schools will use the form on the “Safe Streets Safe Schools” website to submit their qualifying activities to ODPS, which will be updated on the online leaderboard. Schools that complete five of the activities will be acknowledged on the leaderboard as a “Champion School.” Any school that completes all 10 activities will be considered an “All Star Champion” that will earn them additional statewide recognition at the end of the school year.

Resources for Safe Streets Safe Schools Campaign

Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson kicked off National Teen Driver Safety Week and the Champion School Challenge at Catholic Central High School in Springfield. Students challenged Director Wilson, Springfield Fire Rescue, and local law enforcement agencies to a Quick Click Challenge – a fast-paced seat belt relay where teams compete for the fastest time to buckle into four seating positions in a vehicle. It is one of the activities students can complete to become a Champion School as part of the Safe Streets Safe Schools challenge.

“It’s great to see students getting excited about safety. The Quick Click Challenge is a fun way to show how easy it is to buckle up,” said Director Wilson. “Teen Driver Safety Week is the perfect time for schools to start getting involved in our Safe Streets Safe Schools activities.”

Springfield Quick Click Challenge B-Roll

Interviews: Director Wilson and Catholic Central High School President

“School safety doesn’t just happen in the classroom – it extends to every street, crosswalk, and parking lot around schools,” said Emily Davidson, OTSO Director. “These new resources empower students and school communities to take simple but meaningful steps that can prevent crashes and save lives.”

“This collaboration is a natural fit with the School Safety Center’s priorities,” said Emily Torok, Director of OSSC. “Our mission is to ensure students have safe environments to learn and grow, and traffic safety is a critical part of that. By working together, we can strengthen resources for families and provide schools with the tools they need to keep students safe both in and out of the classroom.”

The Ohio School Safety Center was created by Governor Mike DeWine in 2019 as a comprehensive, statewide office focused exclusively on enhancing the safety of Ohio schools. In addition to maintaining and promoting the Safer Ohio School Tip Line, the center assists schools and first responders in preventing, preparing for, and responding to threats and acts of violence including self-harm. Staff also proactively scan social media and websites to identify potential threats against schools. More information is on their website at www.ohioschoolsafetycenter.ohio.gov

The Ohio Traffic Safety Office focuses on a mission to save lives and reduce injuries on Ohio’s roads by using creative leadership, innovative education, and comprehensive enforcement programs. OTSO oversees driver training in Ohio, including basic teen and adult driver education programs. Last year, the office awarded nearly $2.5 million in grants to fund “Drive to Succeed” scholarships to expand access to teen driver training. OTSO recently introduced the new RoadReady Ohio phone app to help support new, practicing drivers. To learn more about these initiatives, visit www.otso.ohio.gov.

For additional information, contact:

Judy ConversePublic Information Officer, Ohio Traffic Safety Office(614) 644-6052  - office(614) 981-1751 - mobilejlconverse@dps.ohio.gov