PITTSTON —In an effort to keep students safe, local teachers are distributing National Child Identification Kits to families with children in kindergarten through fourth grade this week.
The kits, produced by the National Child Identification Program, includes and 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 Meredith McGlynn, Pittston Area Federation of Teachers President. “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.”
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,” 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 are distributing 1,200 kits at the Intermediate Center Back-to-School Night and sending kits home with Primary Center Children this week.
For more information, contact McGlynn at 570-654-4122 or paft1590@hotmail.com
