Middle Schoolers Solve Real-World Problem That Risked The Safety Of Their Peers

A group of middle school students solved a real-world problem that was risking the safety of their peers.

Eighth grade Franklin D. Roosevelt Middle School students Ana Zeferino, Carly Kennelly, Starr Cook and Kamren DeJesus, who are all 14 years old, worked with their English teacher, Jenna Missanelli, to get a gate to shut down a cut-through that connected West Bristol to Veterans Highway (Route 413) that went right through the school yard.

Missanelli said the students identified the problem early in the school year and spent the following months working with township and Bristol Township School District officials to get a gate to close the shortcut during school hours. Recently, students went out with a police officer to monitor the number of cars that used the cut-through and also to track their speed.

Ana told LevittownNow.com that the cut-through was dangerous because students often crossed as vehicles zipped through the school’s parking lot. One serious concern was for her peers who have to cross the shortcut road during fire drills.

“During fire drills, the teachers to have stop traffic and cars during the day,” Missanelli said. “It can be dangerous.”

The students drew up their plans, got approval from local government and found Ed Getty, owner of Area Enclosures Fence Company, who offered to donate materials and time for the project.

“I let [the students] handle everything and they did what they had to do,” Getty said.

Missanelli said the students not only worked to solve a real-world problem, but also learned new skills as they dealt with local government officials and business owners.

The gate will be closed from 8:15 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. during school days.

As the gate was installed last Monday, the students looked on and reflected on their hard word.

“I didn’t think it would actually work but it’s safer now,” Starr said.