Back to School: Local Principals Give Safety Tips

With the first day of school less than three weeks away, thoughts about safety move to the forefront. This broad topic ranges from bullying, to drug and alcohol use, to traffic safety, and fears about encounters with dangerous people. It varies depending on the school district.

North Reading residents are blessed with a small and safe community in which most families know each other; but there are some safety considerations to bear in mind. Local principals shared their thoughts about school safety and made suggestions based on their experiences.

Principal Jon Bernard spends his day among teenagers getting ready to apply to jobs or colleges. He voiced concerns about the misuse of social networking sites. He talked about how inappropriate content could impact a student’s future opportunities. In a phone interview he stressed that this public forum captures information that can be visible to others for years to come. 

He wants both students and parents to educate themselves on responsible use of social networking sites: for example, posts with references to alcohol or drug use might not look good to college recruiters or future employers, even if posted as a joke. And an innocent post about a family vacation could present enticing information to a potential thief.

He encourages parents to learn more about this technology, including how to use security settings. He said that he is not against the use of social networking sites, rather that students and parents know the pitfalls and avoid them.

“Our approach is use it responsibly,” Bernard said. “I know that there is great value to Facebook and like social networking sites… all I’m saying just be aware that its improper use can have some consequences; use it responsibly, use it properly.”

Elementary school principals, Christine Molle, (), Sean Killeen () and Glen McKay (), all focused on traffic safety. Each principal sent an email that echoed each others thoughts: 

• Patience is paramount! Slow down, pay attention and take extra precautions and time, especially at the beginning of the school year.

• Use extra caution when entering or exiting driveways.

• Obey traffic laws: come to a full stop at stop signs and red lights; double check before driving across crosswalks and always stop for school buses with raised stop signs and flashing brakes lights.

• Know and adhere to the school zone traffic patterns, parking regulations and driving laws.

• Cross the street at designated crosswalks and traffic lights -- preferably with a crossing guard.

• Reduce distractions while driving -- put headsets and cell phones away.
  
  In her email, Molle wrote, “The beginning of September can be challenging during arrival and dismissal, but if parents familiarize themselves with the rules of the road, the start of school can be issue free.”

Click here for other useful tips. Welcome back and have a safe and enjoyable school year.