Nassau Middle-Schooler Hit By Car; District Issues Plea

GLEN HEAD, NY — A seventh-grader was rushed to a hospital Wednesday after being hit by a car in Glen Head, and school district officials are pleading with drivers — and pedestrians — to be more careful during dismissal times.

The student was hit by a car near the intersection of Glenwood Road and Glen Cove Avenue, Peter Giarrizzo, the superintendent of North Shore schools, and Rob Dennis, principal of North Shore Middle School, told parents, faculty and staff members in a letter Wednesday. The intersection is about 1,500 feet south of the middle school.

Giarrizzo told Patch on Thursday the boy is ok and was released from the hospital. Giarrizzo wrote that the boy was in "good spirits."

School officials asked that drivers learn from what happened.

"We live very busy lives and as members of a greater community, it is important that we take good care of ourselves and each other," the letter said. "To that end, please use this morning's event as an opportunity to reflect upon your driving practices. Morning arrival and afternoon dismissal are extremely busy times all throughout the community. As such, it is important to pause and remember to obey traffic signs, be free from distractions while driving, be vigilant and observant of pedestrians, and adhere to all traffic rules."

With many parents opting to drive their children to school, the increased congestion can lead to bottle-necking and delays, Giarrizzo said. He and Dennis urged parents to remind their children how to be "responsible and aware" pedestrians.

"We often see students and adults walking while texting," the letter said. "It is potentially very dangerous and we ask that you reinforce this message as well since we all have a collective responsibility to share the roads and sidewalks."

Or, as Giarrizzo put it, "get off your damn phone."