(L to R) LRS Middle School Principal Rachel Niemann, LRS Superintendent Dr. Sharon Johnson Shirley, LRS School Board President Kim Olsteen, Longfellow Principal Melissa Rettig, Assistant Superintendent Cindy Trevino, School Board Member Louise Neece
Some of Lake Ridge New Tech Schools’ administrators and board members joined in the fun and festivities at the annual National Night Out, held at the RailCat Stadium Steel Yard in Gary.
According to the National Night Out website, the event started in 1970 and became official in 1984. Today, millions of American’s participate in block parties, festivals, and parades on the second Tuesday of every August. It celebrates the partnership and efforts of local police agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic organizations, and schools across communities to enhance neighborhood crime prevention.
LRNT School Board member Samuel Roberts is a 31-year veteran of the Gary Police Department. Roberts said it was important for Lake Ridge New Tech Schools to have a presence at the event.
“The Gary Police Department is emphasizing community and Lake Ridge is a part of the community and we wanted them included,” he said. “There was an emphasis on parental participation, and I’m glad we were there. Lake Ridge is a part of northwest Indiana.”
LRNTS Superintendent Dr. Sharon Johnson Shirley echoed Roberts’s sentiments.
“This was a wonderful evening, and it was nice to see so many families from Lake Ridge come out and visit our table,” she said. “It was a very festive environment, and people were just enjoying themselves.”
Check out these photos of Lake Ridge families enjoying National Night Out:
Lake Ridge School Board member and Gary Police Captain Sam Roberts (right) talks with a student.