Hundreds of children and adults from the Newbridge Road Elementary School community packed the gymnasium on Jan. 19 to show Nassau County police officers well-deserved gratitude for their response to a threat at the school just three days earlier.
The appreciation was mutual. Patrick Ryder, commissioner of the Nassau County Police Department, had equal praise for students, faculty and staff for their exemplary implementation of the emergency safety plan on Jan. 16. They calmly enacted the practices and procedures learned in lockdown drills.
The threat turned out to be unfounded, everyone went home safe, and school resumed the next day. The shared commitment to safety between the school community and the police department was a cause to celebrate. Students, staff, Board of Education trustees, district administrators and officers from multiple divisions of the police department came together.
Commissioner Ryder and officers passed out frisbees and squishy balls to students. Children handed out handmade cards to the police and held up thank-you signs.
Music blared as the commissioner introduced officers from the different bureaus that responded on Jan. 16, including emergency services, Homeland Security, POP, special operations, and the canine, motorcycle and mounted units.
Superintendent Marie Testa said that one of the goals of the assembly was for students to see police officers in a fun and relaxed setting, after seeing them during a serious situation a few days earlier. She wanted to remind the children that police officers are community helpers.
“We have a very strong relationship with the Nassau County Police Department,” Ms. Testa said. “We are coming together to celebrate our partnership for safety and security.”
Principal Amanda Licci said that Newbridge Road is a home away from home for students and staff, it is important for everyone to feel safe and secure there. She thanked the police officers for their commitment to the safety of the hundreds of people who call the school their second home. Ms. Licci presented Commissioner Ryder with a Newbridge HEART award that is based on the school’s values – honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect and teamwork.
To thank the police officers on behalf of the Newbridge Road, main office secretary Diane Agoglia read a poem that she wrote for the event.
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Date Added: 1/19/2024