Everyone is concerned about the safety of our community’s most precious resource, our children.  With the alarming number of child abductions taking place across the United States, it has become vitally important for communities to become actively involved in educating our children about safety and awareness.  On Thursday, April 3rd, 2008, Bradley Elementary School in New Hartford, New York took a proactive step in protecting the children of their district by inviting Grandmaster Clifford C. Crandall, Jr. to speak and teach at their Family Safety Fair. 

            Grandmaster Crandall is the head of the American Martial Arts Institute and is well-known around the world for his child abduction prevention programs, including the Crandall System which teaches non-aggressive escape techniques for children and teenagers as part of their physical education curriculum.  He is recognized as host of the television show Safety and Awareness Today and as the spokesperson for child safety for Central New York McDonalds, appearing in public service announcements with Ronald McDonald.

            The Safety Fair featured presentations for two different age groups, K-3rd grade and 4th-6th grade.  The presentations were delivered in the school’s library, a location that emphasized one of Grandmaster Crandall’s key messages.  The strongest part of the body is the mind, and reading is one of the best ways to strengthen the mind.  Grandmaster Crandall discussed a variety of safety topics focused on awareness of potentially dangerous situations.  One example included the dangers of approaching a car to help a stranger with directions.  When you think you are being helpful, you lower your guard, and this makes you vulnerable.  A stranger can pull you into a car by taking hold your hair and stepping on the accelerator.  The students were very attentive.



            After the discussion of potential dangers and ways to avoid these situations, Grandmaster Crandall presented some effective non-aggressive escape techniques that the children could use if they were grabbed.  Assisting Grandmaster Crandall in teaching the children were Mr. Eric Stalloch and Mrs. Cheryl Freleigh, instructors at the American Martial Arts Institute.  After an explanation and demonstration of the techniques, the children were brought up in small groups to practice the techniques.  Grandmaster Crandall handed out copies of the book Be Safe Physically and Mentally with the Crandall System as prizes for students who were able to answer his questions regarding safety.  Other prizes were also handed out for children who volunteered to learn the techniques.  The presentation concluded with a meditation demonstration of the power of the mind.  Grandmaster Crandall walked barefoot across the tray of broken glass.

          
  It was an exciting evening for everyone who participated, and a camera crew for the television show Safety and Awareness Today covered the event for an upcoming episode that will air on ABC, Fox, and myTV.  The Family Safety Fair was coordinated by Marie Abraham.