Riverview School students get lessons in emergency preparedness

/Contributed photo

/Contributed photo

Over 50 fifth graders at Riverview Grade School in Silver Lake learned how to be prepared to respond in the event of a disaster or emergency during an event at the school near the end of the school year.

The students are participating in the STEP, or Student Tools for Emergency Planning, program. The statewide program teaches 5th graders how to be prepared for various disasters and emergencies, how to assemble an emergency kit, and how to develop an emergency plan with their families.

“Emergencies and disasters can happen at any time to anyone, and that’s why we think it is so important to prepare our students,” said John Gendron, district administrator. “We’re excited to teach the STEP curriculum and give our students the tools and knowledge they need in order to have confidence in an emergency situation.”

This is the fourth year that STEP is being offered to schools in Wisconsin and the first year that Riverview Grade School is participating in the program. This year, the STEP program is supported by a $15,000 AT&T Innovation & Investment Award, as well as grants from Walgreens and the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation.

Students heard from Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) officials, AT&T representatives, Kenosha County Emergency Management officials, and State Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Powers Lake) about actions they can take to be prepared in an emergency or disaster situation.

“When an emergency happens, it is critical that our young people know how to respond and act quickly,” said Representative Kerkman. “Not only does STEP teach students how to prepare for emergencies, but it also encourages them to share that information with their parents and communities.”

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