Firefighter Dayna Hilton kneeled down so she could hear five-year-old Angelica’s story. With eyes as round as saucers, the little girl recalled waking up to thick smoke pouring into her bedroom from a fire that was quickly engulfing her home. Angelica pushed the covers off and dropped to the floor, crawling low – just like Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog taught her at school.

As she wiggled across the floor, the five-year-old ran right into her father’s legs. The man was stumbling through the house, disoriented by the smoke and dangerous fumes. Five-year-old Angelica did not panic. She urged her father to get down on the floor with her and to crawl like Sparkles. Together, side by side, they safely escaped…

Helping those who need it most

Angelica learned fire safety training from a woman named Dayna Hilton, a second generation firefighter and certified Public Life Safety Educator. Hilton is the Executive Director of the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation (KKFSF). She and her team of Dalmatian dogs (Molly, Tango and Sparkles) are recognized around the world as leading fire safety educators.

“Our message has been shared with more than one million children,” said Hilton. “For 15 years we’ve used innovative teaching and technology to share our safety message – and now, that includes Skype and social networking.”

Ten years ago, more than 50% of all child fire deaths occurred to those aged four and younger (usfa.fema.gov).

This tragic statistic distressed Hilton and inspired her to establish KKFSF, a non-profit dedicated to teaching fire safety to children. What makes the foundation distinctive is the use of Dalmatian dogs to help deliver fire safety messages to students.

“From the beginning, my primary goal was to reduce fire deaths and injuries among those most at risk -- children,” Hilton said. “Children are attracted to dogs, and using Sparkles, Tango, and Molly as part of our presentation helps them remember what they have learned.”

Hilton calls this attraction, “the power of the paw.” In other words, the dogs’ furry, friendly demeanor keeps children engaged, which in turn, helps them absorb the information they’ve been given.

Innovative Fire Safety Programming

Molly the Fire Safety Dog’s Skype program, Learning about Fire Safety is Fun enables children to learn basic fire safety knowledge. The interactive 30-minute program is free to schools and other organizations throughout the world thanks to a grant from State Farm. The program features the Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog activity book, a safety demonstration by one of the Fire Safety Dogs that teaches skills such as crawling low under smoke, and other activities to engage the students.

According to Hilton, if you were to add the virtual miles the Fire Safety Dogs have traveled, it would equal the distance to the moon and back.

Lives Impacted Forever

Thanks to the fire safety training from Firefighter Dayna and Sparkles, Angelica is now a teenager. When fire broke out at her home on that fateful night…she and her family made it out just in time.

Firefighters on scene reported as soon as the two were whisked away to safety, the home “flashed over” – a term used to describe a home totally engulfed in flames.

These success stories continue to drive Hilton forward. To date, she is aware of eight children and four adults whose lives have been saved because of the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation efforts.

“Our vision is to make the world a safer place, one fire safety presentation at a time,” Hilton says.

And that is worth it all.

Skype with Molly for free!

Thanks to a grant from State Farm, schools and organizations can Skype with Firefighter Dayna and Molly the Fire Safety Dog at no cost. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, click HERE.

To learn more about the work of Molly the Fire Safety Dog and the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation, click HERE. Participating schools and organizations receive links to a free, downloadable copy of the Molly’s Fire Safety Skype Program Coloring eBook and bonus materials.

Meet Sarah Fitterer. A 28-year-old high school graduate turned dental assistant. Sarah, her husband and their two children live in Newark, Ohio. Her husband is on disability and money is tight. The family lives paycheck to paycheck each month. Sarah isn’t sure if they will ever get ahead financially…

Time out.

Sarah Fitterer isn’t 28-years-old. She’s actually an eighth-grade student from Newark. Turns out, her theoretical life is part of a simulation game called, Reality Store. The rules are simple: choose an adult identity, a level of education and an occupation. Monthly earnings and life/family details (i.e., married, single, kids) are predetermined. In Fitterer's case, with a roll of the dice, she aged 15 years, received her high school diploma, and started a family.

The game, and her life, just got interesting. "This experience gave me a real world view of the struggles people go through," said Fitterer. "Sometimes things happen to us that are out of our control. Knowing how to overcome life challenges is really important."

All eighth-graders in Newark city schools take part in Reality Store. Prior to playing, students complete two classroom lessons focused on financial literacy. “We learned education, occupation and earnings are closely connected,” said Fitterer. “I also learned dropping out of high school can have serious consequences.”

The Objective:

This game and its accompanying lessons are part of A Call to College (ACTC). The non-profit organization helps students pursue a path to higher education.

“The more you learn, the more you earn,” said ACTC Associate Programming Director Shannon Chiacchira. “This small phrase has a big meaning. It helps students understand staying in school can lead to a more comfortable, satisfying and financially secure life.”

Let the Game Begin!

Following their classroom lessons, students transform into adults, and the school gym transforms into the Reality Store. With their newly assumed identities, these “adults in action” visit various life stations. They include:

Living Large: You drive a new car, have a topnotch phone plan and shop at high-end stores.

Modest Middle: You drive a used car, talk on an older smartphone, and shop at budget friendly outlets.

Penny Pincher: You take the bus, have a disposable phone, and shop at thrift stores.

Watch out!

If players run out of money before finishing their simulation, they go back to school! A higher education helps them earn more income and greater purchasing power. 

“During the game I bought a house. That was my downfall,” said Fitterer. “I should have rented because I ran out of money toward the end of the experience. So, I went back to school and got my Bachelor’s Degree – that helped!”

Fitterer admits, the Reality Store helped her appreciate the support her parents provide. “I’m one of four children,” she said. “Planning budgets can get really intense!”

The Tassel is Worth the Hassel

Mackenzie Wilkins is an eighth grade teacher in the Newark school district. She agrees with Fitterer - the Reality Store helps students understand the value of saving and investing money.

“After playing the game, they realize their moms and dads pay for a lot,” said Wilkins. “This experience helps them see how much comes out of their parents’ bank accounts – whether that’s childcare, groceries, or insurance. They also understand a college education can really pay off.”

Time to Reflect

At the beginning of the school year, Wilkins asks her students to write a letter, outlining their educational goals.

“Most of the letters I receive have career paths involving college aspirations. I always try to push my students to do their best and work towards those dreams.”

Wilkins knows firsthand the benefit A Call to College can provide. After graduating from her Newark High School, she received a Last Dollar Grant. This coveted scholarship helped pay for her college education.

“Today, I still keep my high school and college graduation pictures on my desk at school,” she smiled. “I also have my graduation caps and diplomas displayed. I believe these visuals help students see they too, can achieve their dreams if they work hard and try their best.”

For Wilkins and Fitterer, a visit to the Reality Store, coupled with a mission to succeed, can help anyone win in the “game of life.”

Fleurianne Debe just started her senior year of high school, but unlike most students her age - she already graduated.

Instead, on July 20, 2017, the 17-year-old celebrated her graduation, and an educational milestone, with the Girls Who Code and State Farm Insurance.

“It's awesome,” said Fleurianne. “I learned about science, technology engineering and math. My mom told me about this special program and I enrolled because I’m really into gaming. It was right up my alley!”

Girls Who Code (GWC), is a national nonprofit organization working to close the gender gap in technology. Its summer immersion program helps young women like Fleurianne develop their STEM skills.

“Technology is changing everything about the way we live and work,” said Girls Who Code Founder and CEO, Reshma Saujani. “Computing jobs are some of the fastest-growing and highest paying in our country, yet girls continue to get left behind. Access to a computer science education can bring women into a thriving innovation economy.”

The Journey Begins

Fleurianne, along with 19 students, took part in the summer GWC program in Atlanta, Georgia. Hosted by State Farm, the seven-week course helps teens develop their technological skills, learn about STEM careers and meet with women working in the tech industry.

“The chance to be mentored by these professionals meant a lot to me. This entire experience helped my self-confidence grow,” smiled Fleurianne. “I discovered so much about systems, IT and coding.”

Throughout the summer, students also learned how to construct webpages, build apps, develop a social media network and even work with robots.

“I loved the hands-on tech exposure,” smiled Fleurianne. “Now, I can code. And the best part? Now I can show other girls how to do it too.”

Program Instructors like Kat Graff say this year’s GWC participants demonstrated teamwork and a commitment to excellence.

“When they arrived on the State Farm campus, many of them didn’t have any coding experience. But you’d never know that now. I’m confident great things lie ahead for these young women.”

For companies like State Farm, it’s a chance to deliver on the company’s commitment to empowering communities. “We make significant contributions to STEM education and women in technology efforts at the company level,” said State Farm IT Senior Vice President Sandy Arnold. “This program had an even bigger impact because our State Farm employees personally invested in these students. Seeing the positive results first-hand was so inspiring.”

The Adventure Continues

“I learned anything is possible if I put my mind to it,” said Fleurianne. “Because of GWC, I want to pursue a computer science degree in college.”

Before then, she needs to complete her senior year. But Fleurianne plans to take Girls Who Code with her.

“I want to create a Girls Who Code club at my high school,” she explained. “Being a young woman who is interested in technology makes me feel like I’m breaking boundaries, and that’s really cool. Now, I want to help others like me do the same thing.”

As for her long term goal? Being part of the good neighbor community could be in sight.

“When the time comes, I’d love to be a State Farm intern,” said Fleurianne. “I want to continue building my knowledge and creativity. Thanks to GWC, my journey has just begun!”

State Farm is a financial supporter of Girls Who Code and its commitment to STEM education. To learn more about its programs and ways to get involved, click here. Interested in learning about STEM partnerships in Atlanta, Georgia? Contact State Farm IT Analyst, Katrina Torres (katrina.r.torres.phbi@statefarm.com).

GWC Graduation Recap

These results come from an analysis of data collected by students as part of a “Teen Road Safety Assessment” initiative (Teen RSA), led by FCCLA and funded by State Farm to empower youth to take an active role in advocating for traffic safety in and around their schools.

More than 1,000 students in 71 schools in 22 states across the country conducted Teen RSAs last school year to examine potential roadway and intersection dangers near their schools and reported their results to FCCLA. The results show that youth feel roadway safety measures need to be taken in communities across the nation now.

Highlights of the report findings include:

• 40% of schools reported that their school pedestrian crosswalks were not painted properly (29 out of 71)
• 47% of schools reported that their crosswalk signals did not allow an adequate amount of time to safely cross the street (34 out of 71)
• Only 9% of schools reported having crossing guards at intersections (7 out of 71)
• Only 19% of areas near schools were properly marked as school zone areas (14 out of 71)

“Engaging with youth about road safety is imperative to ensuring that students feel safe as they prepare for the start of the 2017-2018 school year,” said Sandra Spavone, executive director of FCCLA. “Now that these students have observed first-hand the potential dangers at these intersections, they are asking their communities to protect them by making the intersections safer.”

One such example comes from Union High School in the small town of Big Stone Gap, Virginia. After conducting an RSA, the local FCCLA chapter used the information they collected to advocate for infrastructure change. As a direct result of these student-led efforts, installation of a roundabout near their school was completed last week, just in time for the new school year.

“Conducting the Teen RSA reinforced what we thought to be a safety issue impacting our community,” said Madison Collins (17), high school student and president of the Union High School FCCLA chapter. “We had several traffic challenges that needed to be addressed near our school that resulted in a very dangerous, high-risk area for students, parents, and buses full of children.”

After months of additional research and outreach, students at Union High School felt that they were able to demonstrate that their community met federal guidelines for a new traffic solution near their school. Virginia Department of Transportation representatives, who were helping the students with their project, were able to find funding for, design, and construct an affordable traffic infrastructure solution: a roundabout.

“I’m proud to say that students in Big Stone Gap, VA, are heading back to school this year with new traffic safety infrastructure in place to help keep our community safe,” said Collins. “We have already been working to educate the students and the public about how to safely navigate the new roundabout.”

As part of the Teen RSAs, students worked with their local State Farm agents, law enforcement, and members of their community to observe and track details such as the number of lanes on the roadways near their schools; adherence of the speed limit; crosswalk safety, including lighting and pavement conditions; pedestrian countdown signals; seat belt use of passing motorists and passengers; and hand-held cell phone use and other distractions of drivers.

“We are always seeking ways to ensure the safety of families sharing the roads, especially traveling to school,” said Lisa Joyce, Public Affairs Specialist with State Farm. “The teen road safety assessments have encouraged connections between local youth and State Farm agents at the grassroots level to help make teens and their family members safer drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.”

To follow the Teen RSA initiative on social media, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter using the handle @nationalfccla and search for #TeenRSA.

An electronic version of this press release as well as additional information on the Teen RSA program can be found at http://fcclainc.org/programs/teenRSA/.

Es tiempo de regresar a la escuela. Una época emocionante para los pequeñines a medida que adquieren independencia, hacen nuevas amistades y aprenden. Pero puede ser estresante para los padres.

¿Estará seguro mi hijo en el autobús escolar? ¿Sabrá qué hacer cuando se le acerque un extraño? ¿Sabe qué hacer en caso de emergencia?

Estas son sólo algunas de las preguntas que se hacen muchos padres.

La Vernon Police Athletic League (PAL) de New Jersey, con el apoyo de State Farm, ayuda a contestar estas preguntas. Cada agosto, los estudiantes que entran a kindergarten participan, una semana, en el Safety Town de PAL.

Bajo el programa, profesionales tales como los oficiales de policía, los coordinadores de prevención de lesiones, los maestros de escuela y los agentes de State Farm conducen sesiones educativas para niños de cuatro y cinco años. Los temas incluyen bicicleta, autobús, incendio, agua y seguridad relacionada con la electricidad así como educación financiera.

“Yo creía que sería aburrido hablar de dinero, pero fue realmente interesante”, dijo Bella, una pequeña de cinco años, acerca de la presentación sobre educación financiera del agente de State Farm Tom Ziegenbalg.