 Cupertino (Calif.) Students Learn Importance of Building Safety from ICC Chapter
Students at Meyerholz Elementary in the Cupertino Union School District in California might look at buildings a little differently now after an April 4 presentation from the Peninsula Chapter of the International Code Council, a nonprofit of Bay Area building officials. The program was started by Tony Falcone, a building official for Santa Cruz County and member of ICC. A team of building officials and engineers visited the school for two morning assemblies that taught them some very basic engineering principles and to discuss the importance of having functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the home.
Referring to themselves as "silent heroes" in the mold of firefighters and police, students were given an hour-long presentation on the importance of identifying hazards homes and surroundings, as well as a glimpse into careers as building officials. Students were instructed to tell their parents to check detectors regularly and to know the difference between how many beeps mean emergence and how many beeps mean it is time to change batteries. Students also got lessons in pool safety and the importance of pool gates. At the presentation's conclusion, students were each given a workbook and bright yellow hard hat. Students were then led by presenters in reciting a pledge to be on the hunt for building safety issues. Students also pledged to share what they learned at school with their families and create an emergency plan with them. |
