New Kensington’s Safety Town teaches children important life lessons

Look no further than a kid-sized “real town” outside Mary Queen of Apostles School in New Kensington for proof that learning can be fun.

That’s Safety Town, which returned to the Alle-Kiski Valley last year, after a yearslong hiatus. The event is run under the direction of Lauren Lanzino, a professor at Pitt’s school of health sciences, and Marissa Ameris, a social and emotional behavior specialist in the Burrell School District.

“I wanted our kids to experience it, so that’s why we brought it back,” said Lanzino, whose 5-year-old son, Nino, is one of the 62 campers this year.

The original New Kensington Safety Town ran from 1985 to 2013 and served nearly 3,000 students over those years.

“Knowing that other kids get to experience this too feels really rewarding to be a part of,” Ameris said.

The weeklong camp, which kicked off Monday, focuses on topics including fire safety, stranger danger, calling 911, poisonous items, safely crossing streets and following street signs properly.

Curriculum is based around educational activities and presentations from New Kensington’s police, fire and ambulance services, Lanzino said.

Campers graduate Friday.

“They learn a lot about our community helpers, our police, fire department and ambulance,” Ameris said. “If you ask them what the police do, they’ll say they catch the bad guys. We try to emphasize, they also help if you need something in an emergency.”

Four- and 5-year-olds are the perfect age to learn key public safety skills, Lanzino said.

“This is the age they can help, if something were to happen,” Ameris said.

Kids also learn about their own safety-related information, such as their full name, phone number and address for an emergency.

“I learned my personal safety information,” Nino said.

Savannah Swanger, 5, said she learned how to cross the road safely.

“Stop, look and listen,” she said.

Their favorite part — as well of many of their peers — was driving kids vehicles and bikes around “Safety Town” around mini-versions of New Kensington-area businesses who sponsor the event.

Lanzino said Safety Town wouldn’t be possible without the sponsors. Her husband, Gino, and stepfather, Phillip Coury, built the replica buildings and the family painted them.

Lanzino said she enjoys seeing the children have a fun time while learning.

“I love that everyone’s learning something,” she said.