Last week, The Rose Brucia Educational Foundation gave a presentation on stranger safety at Grundy Avenue Elementary School.
Led by Sachem alum and area resident Matthew J. Barbis, The Rose Brucia Educational Foundation is a leader in stranger safety awareness in the United States.
This event marked the first time in Sachem that Rose Brucia gave a school-wide presentation, instead of just the lower grades. Students from Kindergarten through fifth grade attended at various portions of the day.
“Due to an increase in attempted abductions in the Long Island area we thought it would be helpful to get to a local school and spread more information about stranger safety awareness,” said Barbis, who was referencing incidents that happened in Nassau County in April.
The K-1 students watched a puppet show where they learned about stranger awareness. All students walked away with valuable information. All Grundy students know, “If you don’t know, don’t go!”
“The program is developed to teach children the importance of being aware and always erring on the side of caution,” said Grundy Principal Patti Trombetta. “The program is very informative yet fun in the delivery so that it captures the students interest and walk away with the necessary skills to keep them safe.”
About Rose Brucia: The Rose Brucia Educational Foundation was founded by Matthew J. Barbis when his 11 year-old cousin, Carlie Brucia was abducted and murdered in Sarasota, Florida in 2004. The Foundation’s goal is to reduce the number of child abductions in America by educating and empowering young minds with the knowledge necessary to avoid abduction. Utilizing puppets and a formalized educational curriculum, the foundation visits elementary schools on a regular basis and performs the Stranger Safety Awareness Program, free of charge.
DOWNLOAD: The Rose Brucia Educational Foundation curriculum on stranger safety
(Official release of Sachem Central School District)