Deputy Phil talks safety at schools
CLEARFIELD TWP — Using magic tricks, puppetry and sometimes service dogs, the Deputy Phil program teaches thousands of elementary school students about safety each year.
At Clearfield Elementary School, Marjie McKee of the Deputy Phil program simultaneously entertained and educated kindergarten students, first graders and second graders about staying safe.
The magic words echoed throughout the 45-minute assembly were “think safety.”
Dropping “magical” coins in a bucket, she listed safety advice: Wear a helmet when riding a bike, walk on sidewalks, look both ways before crossing the street, and respect parents, teachers and police officers.
“We need to make sure that everybody remembers the safety rules,” she told students on Wednesday.
Sgt. Harry Callithen, of the Butler County Sheriff's Office, also came to the school with his 3-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, Bullet. Bullet is a drug detection dog that is able to sniff out marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines.
McKee also offered advice to students about “stranger danger” and being careful with online activities.
“It's not only strangers we have to be careful of,” she said.
Her faithful assistant, Lucky Duck, also made an appearance in stressing these simple but important rules.The Deputy Phil program has been visiting Butler schools for more than 20 years, according to the sheriff's office.The program goes to Buffalo and Summit elementary schools today; St. Luke Lutheran School and Dassa McKinney Elementary on Friday; Connoquenessing Elementary, St. Gregory and Portersville Christian schools on March 6; and Center Township Elementary on March 7.It recently visited at St. Wendelin School, and Oakland, Moraine, Slippery Rock and Evans City elementary schools.
