Island Park schools post safety message

Island Park school district posted a safety message on its web site on Feb 3:

“This is a safety message from Island Park Schools.  Today, a middle school student reported that after arriving home after-school yesterday, she went to visit a friend at about 6 p.m. While walking to the friend’s home, the student said a white van with tinted windows in the vicinity of Parma Road followed her.  There is no description of the driver.  The incident was reported to the fourth precinct [of the Nassau County Police Department] by the parent. Let us all remind children in our care not to walk alone and to report any occurrence that makes them feel unsafe to a responsible adult that they know and trust. Thank you.”

Superintendent Rosmarie Bovino said there was only one report, by a child, so there was little detail and no license plate number given. 

However, Bovino said, the district “Must proceed with caution. Our number one concern is the safety of our students.  So we posted the notice to remind parents to use caution when allowing children to travel on their own.” 

Bovino advised parents have children walk in pairs or groups; know where they are going, when they are leaving to come home, and to stay in contact with other parents.

Bovino asked anyone who notices anything suspicious to notify the police and the district.

In addition parents should talk to their children about being safe on their own. Young children should know not to trust strangers, and let a teacher or trusted adult know of anything out of the ordinary.