SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION

To raise safety awareness among children, the METRO Solutions team is back at the head of the class at several HISD schools, offering the agency's popular Community School Safety Education Program (CSSEP).

The three-week course tackles serious issues in a fun way. It focuses on safety skills in and around construction zones, and the safe use of the rail system for both pedestrians and drivers.

Herrera Elementary School in the North Corridor is the first school to kick-off the CSSEP this semester. 

Through its partnership with HISD and the North, East End, and Southeast communities, METRO developed the CSSEP, which is also available in Spanish. The program was specifically designed for schools located closest to the rail lines.

“The safety program has been very effective,” said Mike Martinez, manager of stakeholder affairs at METRO. “We have received a lot of positive feedback from elected officials, community leaders, parents, and the students.”

After the course is completed and the students are ready to graduate, METRO and school officials host a small ceremony that includes a presentation from participating students on what they learned. 

The students are also rewarded with a METRO certificate of completion.

METRO doesn’t stop there – even after graduation, staff returns to the schools to reinforce its safety message.

“We return to any school events or meetings and provide the students with the student activity booklet, which includes coloring-book-type pages, puzzles, and other activities about construction and rail safety, “ added Martinez. “Learning about safety is a lot like learning a language. Training and education are important, but equally as important is reinforcement and practice.”

Though geared to the youngest of METRO riders, the agency also reaches out to the adults. The METRO Solutions team attends Parent Teacher Organization meetings, as well as gives presentations on safety at area civic club meetings.

METRO first rolled out the CSSEP in January 2007. So far, more than 15,000 HISD students have completed the safety awareness program.

Janowski Elementary in the North Corridor, as well as Cage Elementary and Chrysalis Middle School in the East End Corridor are expected to start the CSSEP course later this year.