Monument high students help State and Local Police deliver message of safe Thanksgiving travel

BOSTON - Monument High School students yesterday assisted the Massachusetts State Police and local police in their efforts to remind Thanksgiving holiday motorists that buckling up is quick and easy, as well as state law.

The school event highlighted several public safety efforts to keep holiday travelers safer, including a two-week "Click It or Ticket" Mobilization that runs through November 26th.

In a "Quick-Click-Buckle-Up Challenge," teams of four Monument High School students competed to be the fastest at buckling up in all four seating positions of a car.

"In a fun way, these students helped us to make a common sense point of how simple it is to protect yourself by putting on a safety belt," said State Police Colonel Mark Delaney. "We urge all citizens and visitors using our roadways this holiday period to drive safely and properly buckled up, because Massachusetts police are serious about enforcing our safety belt and child safety seat laws in order to save lives and prevent injuries."

A 2006 Massachusetts statewide observed safety belt use survey, released by the Governor's Highway Safety Bureau, found teen safety belt use was 8% lower than the statewide rate. "Because we know teens are less experienced at driving, and are more prone to taking risks behind the wheel, their low use of safety belts must continue to be a top priority," said Secretary of Public Safety Robert Haas.

Monument Headmaster Jonathan Pizzi was pleased his school could help deliver the important message.

"Monument students are actively engaged in many public safety initiatives and welcome the opportunity to apply the lessons they learn in the classroom to their lives outside of school," he said. "We're proud to help the state and local police on this important effort and especially proud that our students are helping deliver the message to their fellow students and the public."

For more Click It or Ticket Mobilization and safety belt information, go to www.mass.gov/ghsb.

Monument High School serves 328 students as one of the small schools in the South Boston Education Complex. The school offers a standards-based, thematic curriculum that combines core subject areas with innovative criminal justice and public safety courses to prepare students for success in college and in the public safety sector.

The Boston Public Schools serves approximately 57,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in 14

Monument senior Telisha Gilliard speaking at the event yesterday