By Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, and MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge Arzabala
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Aug. 15, 2023)— The Waynesville R-VI and several surrounding school districts will begin the 2023-24 school year Monday. Families start new routines, and while not every family at Fort Leonard Wood has children attending school this year, everyone plays a role in ensuring the safety of our school-aged children.
The start of the school year brings new safety risks. Ensure that you and your students who drive practice safe driving habits. “Buckle up, phones down” — never drive drowsy or distracted; obey posted speed limits, warning signs, and new Missouri hands-free driving laws. Be cautious around vehicles and pedestrians in school zones. Be alert when backing out of driveways, garages and parking spots. Look for children before moving your vehicle and always watch for sudden movements. Finally, always obey school bus laws — red flashing lights and extended stop arms mean stop until the lights stop flashing. Never attempt to go around a stopped bus.
Teach your children safe bus riding practices. Ensure they get to their bus pickup points early. Remain at least six feet from the curb as the bus approaches. If crossing the street after getting off the bus, children should do so at least 10 feet in front of the bus for bus driver visibility; and remain at least six feet from the curb as the bus pulls away. Instruct your children to notify the bus driver if they drop something while entering or exiting the bus; and under no circumstances should children be playing in the street while bus routes are active.
Children should always use the buddy system when going to and from school. Ensure their routes maximize intersections with crossing signals or guards. Ensure your children are following all the policies and safety requirements for the operation of bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, scooters and other coasting devices. Helmets should meet U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Snell or American Society for Safety Testing and Materials standards.
If you need additional resources to support your family’s needs this school year, please contact our School Support Service Office at 573.596.0357 or visit Bldg. 470, Room 1102. The SSS team has the expertise, dedication and drive to set your children and family up for success.
Thank you for your continued hard work and dedication. Be safe, support one another and make it a great year.
Victory Starts Here — Victory Through Skill!
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About Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post 80 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains nearly 80,000 military and civilians each year.
Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.
Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps Detachment and Air Force Squadron on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.
More information about Fort Leonard Wood is at: https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/about/mission