Page 22 - 2015-2016 Student Handbook

Background
Over a period of 18 months and by the end of 2006, Wakefield High School had lost 8 students in 5 separate automobile accidents. In two additional accidents, two more students were left permanently impaired. These accidents and the
loss of so many young lives put the Wakefield community in a state
of disbelief. Determined to take action and call attention to teen driving practices, the school and the PTSA implemented various programs and activities designed to bring home to students just how quickly and tragically auto accidents can occur. Many organizations and people reached out to Wakefield offering support and assistance with money, time, materials, and programs and after receiving a grant from the Wake County New Vehicle Dealers’ Association, a video/ documentary was produced.
This video, entitled JUST THINK FIRST: choices count, addresses key issues for new drivers: inexperience, distractions, seatbelt use, high speed/street racing, and drinking and driving. It also provides a combination of statistics and fast paced images for viewers while offering solutions to problems often encountered by teens. In addition, the story of students who lost their lives while in school at Wakefield is interwoven into the video along with commentary on the impact of these tragedies. With the emergence of the video Wakefield’s JUST THINK FIRST Program was born. This program serves as the umbrella program under which all of our character education initiatives are organized.
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