TUSCAN SCHOOL RELEASES ACCIDENT VICTIM STATEMENT, UPROAR OVER DECISIONS

A slight uproar has been created surrounding the accident on Monday afternoon at Tuscan School that left a fifth grade student injured after being struck on the hand by a passing car.


First, concerns about traffic safety prompted a statement from the police chief that indicated some stepped up surveillance.


But most recently, reaction to the school's decision to allow the student to speak to students on the public address system about the incident.


Principal Malikah Majeed sent a note explaining the situation to parents, which notes she did receive approval from the child's parents.

April 26, 2012

Dear Parents/Guardians:

The safety of our students / your children is a responsibility that we share and hold in high regard. The following information is being shared with you in an effort to promote our students’ safety and well-being on and off campus.

On Monday, April 23, 2012, while returning to Tuscan School after dismissal, a 5^th Grader was crossing Harvard Avenue and was struck by the mirror of a passing vehicle. We are extremely thankful that our 5^th Grader did not sustain serious physical injury from this most frightening incident. Upon returning to school on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 our 5^th Grader asked to share this experience with Tuscan’s children during morning announcements, to remind and encourage them to be careful and safe whenever they cross a street.

With parental and student approval we are able to share our 5^th Grader’s morning announcement with you, our school community.

Our 5^th Grader’s desire and thoughtfulness in sharing this experience is a reflection of a high level of integrity, maturity, and care for others. Personal responsibility, self-reflection, and concern for others are character traits that we seek to foster and cultivate in all children. Our Student Council has been encouraged to create a “Cross at the green, not in between” campaign to educate Tuscan’s children about pedestrian safety.

Please take this opportunity to speak with your children about this incident. Pedestrian safety tips to help parents prepare their children for a safer journey to and from school is attached and additional resources are available via the National Center for Safe Routes to School website at http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/.

Thanks to the diligent actions and efforts of the Tuscan Parent Volunteer Safety Committee and Maplewood Police Sergeant Mike Morrison, the established school drop off zones have had a positive impact on vehicle traffic during student arrival time.

We are appealing to the entire Tuscan community for their continued cooperation and are eager to gain complete support for any future Safe Routes to School initiative.

                                                                                   Sincerely,

                                                                                 Malikah Tamar Majeed

                                                                                   Principal

She also passed on the student's hand-written statement.

Is this right?