mesa legend - NEWS - ABC’s help teach life-saving skills

April 4, 2006
NEWS
ABC’s help teach life-saving skills

Ivy Villaflores
Mesa Legend

First graders from different elementary schools in Mesa had fun while learning about water safety at the 7th Annual Water Safety Day on the MCC campus by Theatre Outback.
Water Watchers at Phoenix Children’s Hospital is an organization formed by the family of Weston Letter, who drowned in his family’s swimming pool at age three. The organization was founded to honor his memory and is spearheaded by his grandmother, Carol Achs. Water Safety Day promoted water safety awareness through visuals. Children learned hands-on safety lessons and water safety behaviors through a live swimming pool show. The show taught children what to do in an emergency and to play safe in and near the pool.
Children were entertained by The Billy Scott Show, a singing firefighter who taught children different forms of safety through music and dance.
A favorite among the children was the fire truck tour, where almost every city in the Valley was represented.
The Kid Zone provided fun and games in a mini-carnival style setup, giving kids hands-on learning activities. Games, prizes and face-painting were some of the activities the first graders participated in.
Mariah Bader, a first grader in Christy Hubele’s class from Patterson Elementary in Mesa, said she had a lot of fun.
“I learned a lot. I learned about the ABC’s and I have a packet of information to bring home to my family,” said Bader.
The ABC’s that Bader learned were the three safety precautions that was taught and stressed to the students: Adult Supervision, Barriers and CPR Classes.
Renee Parker, a first grade teacher at Lowell Elementary in Mesa, said she was impressed with organization and what the students were taught.
“I’m glad they stressed the importance that drowning doesn’t just happen in the summer,” said Parker.
Angel Gonzales, a first grader in Parker’s class, said he learned a lot.
“I won’t go in the water by myself. I’ll get my brother or parents to watch me if I want to go in the water,” said Gonzales.
Heather Miles, one of the event staff members, pointed out that awareness for the parents was equally important.
“The kids get to take home a lot of free, fun stuff but more importantly, they’re bringing packets home to their parents and families,” said Miles. “It’s a group effort keeping kids safe in the water.”