In an effort to keep students safe, local teachers are distributing National Child Identification Kits to families with children in grades K-4 this week.
The kits, produced by the National Child Identification Program, include an inkless fingerprint card, as well as a place to record information about a child’s physical appearance. The information is kept by parents and guardians to help authorities find a missing child.
“We hope that no family in the Pittston area community ever has to use the information gathered through this program,” said Pittston Area Federation of Teachers president Meredith McGlynn. “After learning that one child is reported missing every 40 seconds in this country, our members decided that the NCI program is one way we could encourage parents to talk to their children about safety and prevention.”
The NCI program has been recognized by Congress and several states for its work to protect children by providing vital information for locating missing, abducted and runaway children.
“Talking about these issues with children is difficult. Often, parents don’t go beyond vague instructions about not talking to strangers,” McGlynn said. “The NCI program website has specific tips that make it easier for parents to have those important conversations with their young children.”
Teachers and staff distributed are distributing 1,200 kits to parents.
“Our most important job as educators and parents is to keep students safe,” she added.
The Pittston Area Federation of Teachers represents teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses, secretaries and educational and technology assistants working in Pittston Area public schools. It is Local 1590 of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO.
September 6, 2017