FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
May 11, 2018
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Steve Marshall
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
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Alabama Attorney General
AG STEVE MARSHALL PRESENTS THE LAKESIDE SCHOOL
WITH 2017 SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
School Receives This Honor for the Second Time
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall today presented The
Lakeside School with the Attorney General’s Safe School Initiative Award of Excellence
for a private school in the southern region of Alabama. The Eufaula school also
received the Attorney General’s award for safe schools for 2015. Schools were selected
as winners for 2017 from seven* Alabama State School Board of Education districts, as
well as private schools for three regions of the state.
“In these times, we are all intensely aware of the serious responsibility our
schools carry for the safekeeping of our children,” said Attorney General Marshall.
“Recent events have been heartbreaking reminders that we must remain vigilant and
committed to provide the best protections possible in Alabama’s schools. I am pleased
to carry on this important tradition of the Attorney General’s Office, to recognize
schools throughout our state for dedication and excellence in keeping students safe.
Each day that parents leave their children at school, they are entrusting what they hold
most precious into the care of schoolteachers, principals, school resource officers and
other staff. With these awards, we honor those who have achieved particularly high
standards and set examples that others may follow. We are grateful for their service and
commitment to protecting the children of Alabama.”
In presenting the award today Attorney General Marshall said, “The Attorney
General’s Office is proud that The Lakeside School was selected as one of the 10
winning schools in Alabama for 2017. In making this decision, judges noted many
things that distinguished The Lakeside School: excellent collaboration with outside
emergency services, use of black-out curtains at the front entrance and use of security
badges demonstrate how seriously school safety is taken, and the Big Chief Little Chief
mentoring initiative and community service requirements for older students build a
culture of safety and respect.”
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us Page 2 of 2
The Lakeside School Headmaster, Rick Rainer, said,” I am so very proud and
humbled that The Lakeside School is being recognized by the Attorney General for our
efforts in creating a safe school environment. A great deal of effort and support from
the Faculty, Staff, the Board of Trustees and our students has led us to this very proud
moment. School Safety is paramount in everything that we do and we appreciate being
recognized for it.”
Attorney General Marshall is presenting awards for the 2017 Safe School Awards
of Excellence winners to the 10 winning schools this spring. Other winning schools
throughout the state include Opelika Middle School in Lee County, Pine Level
Elementary School in Autauga County, Satsuma High School in Mobile County,
Nichols-Lawson in Sylacauga, Simmons Middle School in Jefferson County, Bob Jones
High School in Madison County, Austin High School in Morgan County, Coosa Valley
Academy in Shelby County and Sumiton Christian School in Walker County.
*Alabama has eight public school districts but no submissions were received from District 4.
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