Article Provided by Stephanie Clark | Crime Prevention Committee Chairperson
It’s almost time for the school bells to ring and students to return to their classrooms. The American Red Cross offers ten ways to help make sure your student is safe as they head back to school for the upcoming year.
If your student rides a bus to school, they should plan to get to their bus stop early and stand away from the curb while waiting for the bus to arrive.
Students should board the bus only after it has come to a complete stop and the driver or attendant has instructed them to get on. They should only board their bus, never an alternate one.
All students should stay in clear view of the bus driver and never walk behind the bus.
Cross the street at the corner, obey traffic signals and stay in the crosswalk.
Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
If children go to school in a car, they should always wear a seat belt. Younger children should use car seats or booster seats until the lap-shoulder belt fits properly (typically for children ages 8-12 and over 4’9”), and ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.
If a teenager is going to drive to school, parents should mandate that they use seat belts. Drivers should not use their cell phone to text or make calls and avoid eating or drinking while driving.
Some students ride their bike to school. They should always wear a helmet and ride on the right, in the same direction as the traffic is going.
When children are walking to school, they should only cross the street at an intersection, and use a route along which the school has placed crossing guards.
Parents should walk young children to school, along with children taking new routes or attending new schools, at least for the first week to ensure they know how to get there safely. Arrange for students to walk to school with a friend or classmate.
Parents of younger kids, especially those going to school for the first time, should make sure the child knows their phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult and how to dial 911. Teach them not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.
Drivers should slow down as children head back to school. Know that yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is getting ready to stop and motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off.
Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped. Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety. This includes two and four-lane highways. If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping. Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.
PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES Know what the emergency plan is at your child’s school in case a disaster or an unforeseen event occurs. Develop a family emergency plan so everyone will know who to contact and where to go if something happens while children are at school and parents are at work. Details are available at redcross.org/prepare.
TAKE A FIRST AID CLASS Learn and practice first aid and CPR skills by taking a course so you can help save a life. Download the free Red Cross First Aid App for instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies whether it be before, during or after school. You can find it by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.
This month’s CPRV newsletter kicks off in January 2026 with reflections on recent neighborhood wins, a look ahead to upcoming projects and events, highlights from community gatherings, updates on the Mayflower shoreline path, and features celebrating the people, pets, and shared efforts shaping our neighborhood’s next chapter together.
Join us for another amazing community Happy Hour Hangout, this time at Fellini’s (3910 Colley Ave, Norfolk, VA 23508).
We can’t wait to see you there, and we love being your neighbor.
THIS IS A 21* EVENT, AND EACH PARTICIPANT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN TAB.
This month’s CPRV newsletter recaps November’s community highlights, celebrates new board leadership, spotlights the 2026 Pets of CPRV Calendar, and shares updates on the Mayflower shoreline path, upcoming events, holiday gatherings, contests, and more—all the ways our neighborhood continues to grow, connect, and thrive.
Preorder Your 2026 Pets of CPRV Calendar Today! Each $20 preorder includes an 11×17 spiral-bound calendar and covers 2026 civic league dues for one CPRV resident. Every single pet made the cover 🤩 — and each one is featured again inside! Get to know the beloved dogs, cats, hamsters, turtles, and lizards of CPRV, and maybe even spark a few new conversations with the neighbors who walk, cuddle, and care for them.
Join us for another amazing community Happy Hour Hangout, this time at Fellini’s (3910 Colley Ave, Norfolk, VA 23508).
We can’t wait to see you there, and we love being your neighbor.
THIS IS A 21* EVENT, AND EACH PARTICIPANT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN TAB.
Our November Civic League meeting brought together more than 30 neighbors at Kingdom Embassy Ministries for an evening of community updates, celebration, and connection. From welcoming new attendees and electing Riverview’s new representative, Terry Reading, to hearing from Brian N. Friedman on the future of Lambert’s Point Park, the night was filled with great energy and momentum. Residents also heard updates on neighborhood safety, upcoming social events, and exciting initiatives like the Pets of CPRV 2026 Calendar and Elizabeth River Project Shoreline Planting. As the holidays approach, CPRV continues to grow in both spirit and participation—thank you to everyone who helps make this neighborhood thrive!