Student Struck by Car in Front of Middle School

A 12-year-old student was struck by a car while walking toward the middle school at around 3:30 p.m. Friday.

Lt. David McDermott told Patch from the scene that the victim exited his mother's parked car and walked across Washington Place toward the middle school when he was struck by an SUV in transit. The boy was rushed to the Valley, McDermott said. The extent of his injuries was not immediately known.

No summonses have been issued to the driver of the vehicle at this point, McDermott said.

A after his bicycle struck a landscaping truck trailer at the intersection of Godwin and Lincoln Avenue.

George Washington Middle School Principal Dr. Katie Kashmanian wrote an e-mail to parents shortly after the Friday afternoon incident, urging that they preach safety awareness to their children and also lead by example. Her letter is as follows:

Dear Parents and Guardians:

At approximately 3:35 p.m. today we had another student involved in a car accident, this time on Washington Place.  He ran in front of his mother's car to cross the street back to school and unfortunately did not remember to look first, so he was struck by a car.  He is receiving appropriate care and we are optimistic that he will be alright.

I know I have written to you numerous times this year about safety.  We have increased adult supervision at drop-off and dismissal (thank you parent volunteers!), worked with some parents to advocate for additional crossing guards, and even emailed the students themselves about safety through Skyward.  We have also been reading daily safety announcements to the students.  Just this morning the announcement reminded students to cross only at the corners, with guards if they are available, and informed them they could face a jay-walking fine of $54 if they did not cross as they are supposed to (we thought that might get the message through to the kids).

If you haven't already, I ask that you go over safety rules and guidelines with your children.  Don't put it off, or think, "My child already knows what to do."  A little more reinforcement won't hurt.  Also, please remember that kids watch us to see what they should be doing.  If they see adults disobeying safety laws and rules, they think these laws and rules are optional.  If you tell them, "It's OK just this one time," they will know that they can decide when and if to do what they are supposed to be doing.

It takes a village.  Please - help us to keep our students safe.  Let the GW community be a model of appropriate behavior and safety for the rest of the Ridgewood schools.  Yes, we want our middle school children to be independent, but we also want them to grow up to be safe, responsible, law-abiding adults.

Thank you, as always, for your understanding, cooperation, and commitment.

Dr. Kashmanian