Palos Park, IL – On September 29 and 30, Palos West School held its annual Safety-Rama program.  Students rotated to three different safety stations during the two day event, that reinforced common safety rules, and introduced new self-protection techniques.

Palos West Social Worker, Holly Nigohosian, and Media Specialist, Brian Hoffmeister, presented a personal safety mini-seminar to students. Strategies for dealing with bullies were featured through role-playing and an interactive Jeopardy Safety game.

Playground safety was also reinforced, and Palos 118 transportation staff reviewed bus safety tips with the students and allowed them to board the bus to practice their strategies. To round out the program, Mary Beth Toussaint of T-USA Martial Arts Academy had young audiences captivated as she demonstrated self protection techniques. Kids practiced knee-kicks, palm thrusts, and other exit strategies for dangerous situations.

Overall, we like to focus on safety as early as possible in the school year, said Assistant Principal, Jennifer Peloquin. She explained that having a successful program like Safety-Rama allows the school to address many important safety issues at one time.

Palos West School on 104th Ave. in Palos Park, is part of Palos Consolidated School District 118, and serves a large number of Orland Park residents.