Lee Avenue Students Win LIRR Safety Slogan Contest

From Hicksville Schools: A representative from the Long Island Rail Road recently visited students at Lee Avenue Elementary School in Hicksville to discuss the importance of exercising safety in, around and onboard the rails. While there, she also announced that Kristine McAllister’s fifth-grade class has been named this year’s elementary-level winner of the LIRR’s Together Railroads and Communities Keeping Safe program safety slogan contest.

Every year, hundreds of slogans are entered into the slogan contest from classrooms throughout the LIRR’s service area. This year, McAllister’s class was selected as the winner for their slogan, “It’s a good sign if you have safety on your mind.” Class member Shakira Mashriqi was largely responsible for coming up with the initial idea on behalf of the class. After students discussed her idea, they agreed it was a memorable message to reinforce the importance of railroad safety. LIRR Community Relations Specialist Chrisann Fabio said the slogan will be displayed on a large sign at the Hicksville LIRR station in the near future. She and other representatives from the LIRR will also return to Lee Avenue School in mid- March to formally congratulate and celebrate McAllister’s class. During her assembly, Fabio stressed the importance of exercising caution and being alert whenever in the vicinity of train tracks, especially near crossings. She specifically spoke about the dangers of being near the LIRR’s electrified third rail.

Photo courtesy of the Hicksville School District