MADISON – With its recent collection of national honors, Bob Jones High School now can add a state award for procedures to promote safety of the student population.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall visited the Bob Jones campus on May 8 to present the 2016 Attorney General’s Safe Schools Initiative Award of Excellence. The award recognizes Bob Jones for safety measures that create a positive environment for learning, while protecting students and faculty.

The safety award “is given annually to only 10 schools statewide – one from each of the eight state school board districts and some private schools,” John Peck said. Peck is Public Relations Manager for Madison City Schools. Bob Jones received the award for District 8 in North Alabama.

Bob Jones Principal Sylvia Lambert and MCS Superintendent Robby Parker accepted the award from Marshall during a schoolwide assembly. “Marshall told students that Bob Jones has a reputation not only for excellent academics and athletics but also now for maintaining a safe environment for students,” Peck said.

The award evaluates various factors, such as faculty training, interaction with law enforcement including School Resource Officers, safety procedures and student involvement.

“The most important aspect is the student body itself: Have they bought into the idea of school safety? Are they willing to push back against school bullying? Do they understand the problems of illegal drug use? It’s a combination of factors, and Bob Jones met all of the criteria,” Marshall said.

“Mr. Marshall said awards are not given out lightly,” Peck said.

“Each day that parents leave their children at school, they are entrusting what they hold most precious into the care of school teachers, principals and other staff,” Marshall said.

“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,” Marshall said.

Marshall added that social media and cyberbullying make it imperative that parents be aware of their child’s interactions. Events occurring off school campuses often can trigger problems that can occur at school.