Bulldog Bulletin - Wear Braintree Blue on Monday

Many of you are aware that an East Middle School student was seriously injured in a car collision on Friday evening while riding his bicycle to a baseball field in town. At South, our hearts go out to the young man and his family, and we pray for his quick and thorough recovery. (I am aware that his name is out there in public, but the family has asked for privacy while they are dealing with their situation, so I will not include personal details in my message.) Tomorrow, Monday 6/15, Student Council's Spirit Week will start with a Braintree Blue Day as we rally positive wishes and hopes for this young man. Please wear BLUE attire and/or baseball gear to show support for your peer as he continues to receive medical care.

I had been planning to send a message about riding bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters to and from school. I am including this information now, because it is important for each individual to do everything they can to keep themselves and others safe. South administrators and SRO Stu have been helping remind students about school rules and safety protocols around bikes and e-bikes all spring.

• Students MUST wear a helmet. It is state law and school policy. Anyone seen riding without a fully strapped helmet may lose the privilege of riding to school. Other safety gear is recommended, and all gear can be stored in lockers, homeroom, or the Main Office.
• Students should ride on sidewalks or in bike lanes, travelling with traffic, and using hand signals to communicate with drivers. Do not ride on neighbors' property and always show respect to others.
• Students should use crosswalks, especially on busy roads like Washington St, Liberty St, and Peach St. Assume the other drivers don't see you, and cross only when you've made eye contact or gotten a clear signal to go.
• E-bikes are not banned from school, but should be used with caution. Motorized bikes are not allowed by law for our age group. 
• NO SHARING
  • Students may not allow other students to borrow or ride their bike/e-bike/scooter
  • Students may not "double up" to ride behind others, on wheel pegs, or on the handlebars
  • Sharing or "doubled up" may result in loss of the privilege to ride to school
• Risky riding or stunt riding is not permitted at South. No racing, popping wheelies, or hopping jumps, for the safety of everyone.

Most important of all--parents will recognize this message from my other traffic-related posts all year long--is for ADULTS to slow down in your driving and imagine the worst possible outcome as you approach kids, and "drive defensively" to avoid tragedy. Kids may dart out; they may be uncoordinated and get in the way; they may do something that seems thoughtless or careless or is completely unpredictable. They Are Kids. You were once too, and you are here today due to the grace given by countless adults who let you go about your business; who made moves to keep you safe and protect you; who looked out for you in ways you may have never known about. I do not mean to imply that Friday's incident involved an adult failing be careful enough--that is not for me to judge--but nobody wants an injured child or worse on their conscience. We can all make every effort to ensure that our kids are able to enjoy a healthy and happy summer, living the freedom we adults look back on fondly and pine after these days.
These photos were taken this spring at South. Bikes, e-bikes, and scooters have tripled since then, and there are even more on Friday afternoons and early dismissal days. We love to see it, especially when there is a helmet hanging off every handle! (But you can lock your helmets in your, too!) Officer Stu was handing out Positive Tickets at South last week during arrival, shouting out anybody who rode to school and had their helmet on, fully strapped for safety! If anyone owns a bike, e-bike, scooter, skateboard, or rollerblades/skates and cannot afford a helmet, please contact Mr. Rainie. We will get a helmet donated to keep you safe.