West Shore CTE criminal justice students promote bicycle safety.

West Shore CTE criminal justice students promote bicycle safety.

West Shore School News is a presentation of West Shore Educational Service District in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. 

By Kim Beardslee, correspondent. 

VICTORY TOWNSHIP — The Criminal Justice Program, “CJP” offered through the West Shore Educational Service District (WSESD) is working towards creating a positive impact on their local communities by promoting awareness of the importance of bicycle safety. Students attending the morning and afternoon sessions of the program are the recipients of a grant award from Ford Driving Skills for Life and Michigan State Police Strive 4 a Safer Drive (S4SD).  The CJP selected the topic of bicycle safety from a provided list during the spring of 2021 and developed the grant and activities in September 2021. The program was notified in November 2021 the news of the grant award.

Throughout the 2021-2022 school year, the two class sessions have worked together under student-led leadership to develop on-going class activities to create tools and action plans in order to promote bicycle safety.  The grant development and activities are an important component to the curriculum and the blended curriculum provided by Ford Driving Skills for Life. The student-led activities have resulted in the creation of an informational brochure, web page containing  two videos focusing on bicycle safety (https://cjs4sd.wixsite.com/s4sdcj/events), and a  “Don’t Be Insane, Protect Your Brain” billboard on US 10-31 in Amber Township.

Under the student leadership of Mason County Central senior Wesley Stream, a second year student in the CJP, and Mason County Eastern junior Vada Malstrom, a first year student attending the CJP,  the class has also created a  “Don’t Be Insane, Protect Your Brain”  information booth. The booth  provides participants with flyers, wristbands, keychains, and  raffle items related to bike safety. 

The first booth was set up and available on Friday, January 28, 2022 during a basketball game at Mason County Central High School.  The raffle winners from that evening were announced during the varsity basketball game halftime. The prizes awarded were a bike helmet, a bicycle repair kit and a Meijer gift card. Another information booth and raffle took place on February 11, 2022 during a Manistee High School basketball game. Another is planned for February 25 during a Walkerville High School varsity basketball game.

As another avenue to promote bicycle safety, the CJP will be holding a coloring contest for WSESD elementary special education students in which two winners will be awarded a “tricked out” bicycle and safety equipment. In addition, on March 19, during the 30th annual Family Affair event, to be held at Mason County Central Middle School parking lot, criminal justice students will give away a fun bag which will include information on the topic of bicycle safety.

A Main Event activity will be held at the West Shore Community College Tech Center for all students attending any of the CTE programs on Tuesday, February 15. It will include activities for all CTE students throughout the day focusing on bicycle safety.  During the event students will be awarded bicycles, bicycle safety equipment, and gifts provided by local businesses (oil changes, pizza, gift cards, etc.).  Sponsors of the bicycle safety, “Don’t Be Insane, Protect Your Brain” campaign include Meijer, Walmart, Trailhead Bike Shop, Lamar Advertising, and Spindrift.

At the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year the criminal justice students will attend the Ride and Drive event offered through Ford Driving Skills for Life at the Ford Motor Proving Grounds in Romeo. All schools that have been awarded the Strive 4 a Safer Drive grants throughout Michigan are invited to attend.  

During the day-long event, five schools will be recognized as state-wide contest winners for promoting safe teen driving.  In May 2021, WSESD Criminal Justice Program won the top award. The S4SD Bicycle Safety campaign participants  are hoping for similar recognition.

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