FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
May 7, 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 SIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL
WITH 2017 SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall today presented Simmons
Middle School with the Attorney General’s Safe School Initiative Award of Excellence
for State Board of Education District 7. 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 Simmons Middle School was selected as one of the 10
winning schools in Alabama for 2017. In making this decision, judges noted many
things that distinguished Simmons Middle School: the use of technologies like ‘The
Bully Button,’ an online form that reports bullying directly to the principal, and ‘Panic
Buttons’ which put the school in lockdown; an emphasis on training parents and
students about digital media and dangers associated with it; and volunteers called
‘Hallway Dads’ to keep the school safe and build a culture of community involvement.”
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us Page 2 of 2
Simmons Middle School Principal Brian Cain said, “Our staff, students and
community are committed to provide a safe school environment. We appreciate very
much this honor from Attorney General Steve Marshall in recognition of what we have
achieved together to make Simmons Middle School a safer place.”
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, Sumiton Christian School in Walker County, Bob Jones
High School in Madison County, Austin High School in Morgan County, Coosa Valley
Academy in Shelby County and The Lakeside School in Barbour County.
*Alabama has eight public school districts but no submissions were received from District 4.
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