Welcome to our comprehensive recap of the Back-to-School Safety Solutions forum, held in collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force Area 3 Police and sponsored by National Self-Serve Wholesale. The forum, led by host Winsome Sherrier Witter, Founder and Executive Director of Serenity Resource Connector, focused on pressing back-to-school safety issues affecting students, explored viable solutions, and discussed ways everyone can contribute to a safer school environment.
Introduction
Winsome Sherrier Witter was joined by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Melecia Morrison, Territorial Officer for Area 3 Police, and Barrington Richardson, Director of Regional Educational Services, Region 7 of the Ministry of Education. Both panellists offered their insights into the early days of the new school year, shared initial challenges, and presented Back-to-School Safety Solutions currently in place to address these issues.
Highlighting Early School Year Challenges
Barrington Richardson started by giving an overview of the school year’s smooth start, despite earlier disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricane-related issues. He commended the swift action of the Ministry of Education, school teams, and the community for ensuring that repairs were completed promptly, allowing 109 public schools to reopen for face-to-face engagement.
Special thanks were extended to social agencies such as the Minister of Labour and Social Security, the Social Development Commission, JPS, and the National Water Commission for their collaborative efforts.
Emotional and Psychological Support
Richardson pointed out the significant emotional and psychological toll the disasters had on both students and teachers. The Ministry has initiated a robust psychosocial response programme to help students adjust mentally and psychologically to returning to school. This programme includes counselling support and capacity-building workshops for guidance counsellors. He emphasised that beyond repairing physical structures, addressing the psychosocial needs of students is crucial to ensure a smooth transition back to school.
Insights from the Area 3 Police
ASP Melecia Morrison provided insights into back-to-school safety concerns and measures implemented by the police to protect students travelling to and from school. She highlighted two tragic incidents within the Manchester division since the start of the school year—a motor vehicle accident resulting in a student's death and a shooting outside a school gate. These incidents underscore the ongoing safety challenges faced by students in transit.
ASP Morrison highlighted the vulnerabilities students face when using public transportation without adult supervision, which increases their susceptibility to crime and accidents.
Back-to-School Safety Solutions and Community Engagement
ASP Morrison pointed out the proactive measures underway, such as increasing road policing activities, ensuring school patrols during peak hours, and regular visits to schools. She stressed the importance of students travelling in groups, remaining vigilant, and avoiding risky behaviours—core aspects of Back-to-School Safety Solutions.
She emphasised the importance of parents being aware of their children's commute details and utilising available apps to track their locations. Encouraging community members to be the 'eyes and ears' for the police, she urged collaboration to ensure students' safety.
Community Collaboration
Winsome Sherrier Witter stressed the importance of community support and continuous improvement. She encouraged viewers to share their school affiliations to foster a sense of community. Schools like Treadlight Primary and Basic, Effortville Primary, Race Course SDA Basic, Alley Primary, Moores Primary and Infant and others actively engaged in the forum, showcasing a keen interest in the safety initiatives.
How the Community Can Help
Both ASP Morrison and Barrington Richardson emphasised the crucial role of community members and parents in creating a secure school environment. Richardson encouraged parents to actively engage with school activities and committees, helping to develop and review safety protocols regularly. This partnership will ensure that schools remain a safe haven for students.
Resources and Collaboration
Richardson highlighted various resources and collaborations in place, such as the Ministry’s safety and security manual, the role of school resource officers, and the ongoing partnership with social and community agencies. ASP Morrison emphasised the importance of a united community effort in protecting children, encouraging parents to model respectful and cooperative behaviour with school officials. This, in turn, will positively influence their children's actions.
Available Resources
Counsellors and Deans of Discipline to maintain order and provide emotional support.
Ongoing collaboration with churches, local businesses, and community groups to ensure a holistic approach to student safety.
Encouraging Positive Engagement
Both panellists stressed the importance of engaging students in school clubs, Police Youth Clubs, and community service programmes to build a sense of responsibility and belonging.
Final Thoughts
In his closing remarks, Barrington Richardson emphasised the shared responsibility of creating safe learning environments, urging parents, educators, and community members to work together. He called for regular safety protocol reviews and encouraged the use of available resources to enhance student safety.
ASP Melecia Morrison concluded by reinforcing the need for active community involvement. She encouraged attendance at police-community meetings and volunteering for student-focused safety programmes.
A Call to Action
Creating safe and secure school environments is a shared responsibility. A commitment to student safety requires active participation, open communication, and a community-focused approach.
Remember, this is an ongoing conversation, and your participation is vital in creating a safer community for our students. For more updates, subscribe to the Serenity Resource Connector WhatsApp channel and follow our forums on Thursdays at 8 PM.
Together, we can shape a brighter and safer future for all students.
Watch the Full Replay: Did you miss the live session or want to catch up on key moments? The complete replay is now available on our YouTube channel. Click here to watch.
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