Changes Coming to Annual Foxborough HS Senior Celebration

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Police Chief William Baker is defending a decision to change the traditional last day of school celebration for Foxborough High School seniors.

Citing safety concerns and accidents which have taken place over the years, Baker said in a memo to the community that he is hoping to adapt new changes to the traditional ride around the center of town and associated celebrations.

Public safety officials are proposing a police escort from the high school up to the rotary and down Main Street to Payson Road, where parents can take photos with their kids. Students and parents will be allowed to use the common for photos as long as they obey the traffic and pedestrian rules and do not damage public or private property, Baker said.

Baker wrote that the alternative plan came following discussions with the senior class, the current resource officer, and the previous resource officer.

Baker denied rumors that students and families would be denied access to the common and the traditional drive around the center of town would be prevented.

"Our goal was to protect the tradition but assure the students and their parents that this tradition would continue but with some safe alterations to the process," Baker said. "It was never our goal to restrict a lawful and traditional celebration; but rather to further support safe activities associated with that celebration. We hope everyone will remain supportive of this collective goal."

Baker called the meeting with the seniors positive and supportive.

The Class of 2017 is expected to report back with their final thoughts by Friday.

The drive around the common has been a decades-long tradition for students graduating from Foxborough High School. The celebration on the common is newer and started in 2012.

Image: File Photo