Timely Safety Notice – Bicycle Incidents Near GMS
Greetings Families,
We want to make our school community aware of 2 recently reported incidents involving GMS students and their bicycles.
On Friday, September 18, a parent reported that a student traveling home from school near the intersection of Painter Avenue and Los Nietos Road had their bicycle taken by an individual reportedly wearing a ski mask.
We were also informed of a separate incident on Sunday, September 20, at Mayberry Park, in which a student's bicycle was reportedly taken by individuals wearing ski masks.
At this time, we do not know whether these incidents are connected or are isolated events. However, because student safety extends beyond our campus, we believe it is important to make families aware and encourage conversations with students about traveling safely in the community.
Please remind your Panther to:
- Walk or ride with others whenever possible, especially before and after school.
- Travel directly home using familiar, well-traveled streets and avoid unnecessary stops or wandering to other locations without family knowledge.
- Stay alert to their surroundings and avoid distractions such as headphones or looking down at a phone while traveling.
- Avoid isolated areas and immediately move toward a safe, populated location if something does not feel right.
- Do not confront or resist someone attempting to take personal property. A bicycle or other belonging can be replaced; personal safety comes first.
- Call 911 if there is an immediate threat or emergency and notify a trusted adult as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Make sure families know their usual route home and expected arrival time.
Thank you for partnering with us to keep our Panthers safe.
Dr. J. Hernandez
Principal