Local youths complete ATV safety training at ISD 166

The second year of School District 166’s sixth grade safety class wrapped up on May 9 with practical testing for students in ATV Safety. 

 After doing online study and in-class review, sixth grade students have the opportunity to complete the requirements for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’s ATV Safety certification through field testing. 

With the support of our local DNR, Forest Service, and volunteers, students drove a course that tested their abilities to use hand signals properly, adjust for hilly terrain, make tight turns, reverse, and park the machines. 

Emma Spoon, the ISD 166 sixth and seventh grade safety and health teacher, said this year 30+ sixth grade students at Cook County Middle School complete the coursework and field testing for ATV, Snowmobile, and Firearms Safety.
 
Spoon said, “We are thankful for the support of ISD 166, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Cook County Sheriff's Office, Grand Portage Education Department, 1854 Treaty Authority, Steve’s Sports, and the Cook County ATV and Snowmobile Clubs for making these trainings possible and meaningful for our students.”

She added, “Particular gratitude for our spring ATV Field Day goes out to DNR Conservation Officers Darin Fagerman, Mary Manning, and Tom Wahlstrom, U.S. Forest Service Officer Edward Belmore, and volunteer instructors Kim Linnell and Eric Nelms for providing great instruction to students."

All of his co-instructors gave a special hats-off to retiring CO Darin Fagerman for his support of youth safety programs in Cook County.