By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Friday night football games are supposed to be loud and busy and energized. But they are supposed to be controlled chaos – not risky for young students.
So at this Friday’s game, parents will not be allowed to drop off young students by themselves. And those who do, will be called to come pick up their children.
After the last home Bowling Green High School varsity football game on Oct. 7, Bowling Green Superintendent Francis Scruci expressed some concerns about the “free-for-all” atmosphere at the game. “Parents are dropping kids off at the game” as young as fourth-graders and not accompanying them. “Nobody’s watching these kids,” he said.
Throughout the games, it turns into a “mosh pit of kids,” Scruci said. “There’s no supervision. There’s no accountability. We’ve got to tighten up what we’re doing.”
Scruci was so troubled about the unsafe situation, that his normal jovial “Friday Message” videotape to students and parents took on a serious tone.
“We want you kids to come to the game,” he said in the videotape. “But it’s important that they’re supervised by you, the parents.”
When contacted after his video message was released, Scruci said that some changes would be enacted before the last home game, which is this Friday. The policies will continue to the next week if Bowling Green hosts a playoff game at home.
Following is the letter being sent out today to school families:
Dear parents and guardians,
As I alluded to on the Friday Message two weeks ago, we have made some changes for student attendance at our home football game this Friday. This has been necessitated due to the growing concern for student safety and school liability. The following are the new procedures and expectations.
- All students will only be admitted through the West Gate. Signs will be visible to direct them to the appropriate gate. (The west gate is the gate on the left as you enter the stadium from the parking lot)
- Students will be prohibited from bringing balls, drinks, etc., into the stadium. Please leave balls at home as they will be confiscated. Drinks and drink cups will be emptied and discarded.
- Students 5th grade and younger must be accompanied by an adult and must be seated with parent or guardian.
- The gate will be monitored by Middle and High School teachers.
- The West gate will be locked prior to halftime. Any students who leave the stadium during the game will not be able to re-enter without purchasing another ticket.
- Middle School students must bring an ID to enter through the West gate.
We appreciate your support and understanding that our main concern is making our Friday night football games as safe and enjoyable for all in attendance. Thank you in advance.
Scruci said it is the district’s intent to extend these procedures into next season. School officials will evaluate the effectiveness of the changes and determine if there is a need to make any additions.
He added that if students in fifth grade or younger are dropped off at games without supervision, school officials will call parents to come back to take their children home.
