New school year commences in Bamberg: Freshmen equipped with essential supplies
First-Watch Vests for Bamberg's First-Graders: A Safe Start to the School Year
On September 16, 2025, the first-graders at Bamberg's Martinschule began a new school year with a special welcome gift – neon-yellow reflective vests, sponsored by AOK Bayern and the Bavarian State Traffic Safety Association. Deputy Mayor Christian Hader, Principal Inga Dossenbach, and several other dignitaries attended the annual distribution of these safe and visible vests.
Mayor Andreas Starke and Deputy Mayor Hader both emphasized the importance of children's safety, with Hader prioritizing this concern for the well-being of the young students. Hader did not announce any changes in the color or design of the reflective vests, but he did advise parents and grandparents to walk routes with their children multiple times, point out potential hazards, and avoid using the 'parent taxi.'
The Bamberg City Police were present at the event, ensuring a safe and orderly distribution of the vests. Hader thanked the representatives from AOK Bayern and the Bavarian State Traffic Safety Association for their participation in the annual safe event. In 2025, the Lions Club Bamberg took over the sponsorship of the reflective vests for the first graders at Martinschule.
The reflective vests aim to make children more visible to all road users, especially during the darker months. The vests match the colorful school bags of the children, making them stand out even more. Hader did not provide any updates on the first-graders' progress at Bamberg's Martinschule or any new initiatives or programs related to children's safety. He also did not mention any new sponsors for the reflective vests or any new rules or regulations for the children's safety while on the streets.
Representatives from the State School Office, Bamberg Traffic Safety Association, Bamberg City Police, and AOK Bamberg were also in attendance at the safe and visible event. The event was held at Bamberg's Martinschule, with the exact location not specified by Hader. Overall, the annual distribution of reflective vests is a valuable initiative to ensure the safety of Bamberg's first-graders as they navigate the streets during the school year.
