Robert A. Ginsberg, Milena DeLuca
and Mara Franceschi,
Johnson Park School , Princeton
As principal and PTO co-presidents of Johnson Park School, we’ve had the good fortune to work, over the years, with many community partners: the Arts Council, the Princeton Public Library, McCarter Theatre, Cotsen Children’s Library, the Thomas Clarke House, the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, and the university, among others. In recent months, a long-term partner has emerged as a special friend to the children, parents and staff member of our school community.
We refer to the Princeton Police Department.
Since Sandy Hook, officers have established a frequent, informal presence around our school — at our arrival and dismissal times, during our school day, and in the evening. In addition, members of the Safe Neighborhoods Divisionhave come to Johnson Park several times per year to make classroom presentations to our fifth graders on the issues of cyberbullying and substance abuse and on the potential dangers of social mediate; they’ve presented similar workshops to our parents.
More recently, the police have been active supporters and guides during the “swatting” hoaxes that have plagued our community, including our schools. When other schools and ours received threatening telephone calls, officers were on the spot immediately to ensure our children’s and staff members’ well-being and to outline precautions we should take. They’ve checked Johnson Park’s perimeter and surrounding woods, our roof, and our hallways.
And, last Friday, four officers joined with Johnson Park parents and staff members to participate in our fifth graders vs. adults basketball game. What a thrill it was for our boys and girls to compete in a spirited game with the officers, and what an opportunity it offered our school communituy’s spectators to demonstrate their appreciation for our first responders, out protectors, our partners, our friends.
Thank you to the Princeton Police Department for all they do for and with us. They’re Princeton’s finest.
Robert A. Ginsberg
Principal
Milena DeLuca
PTO Co-president
Mara Franceschi
PTO Co-president
Johnson Park School
Princeton
