'Safe School Ambassadors' make a difference at local middle school

It’s lunch time for a group of students at Jackson Middle School.

For this group though, lunch every other Friday means it’s time to talk safety. 

Zelvia Rodriguez has been the school's Family Specialist for fifteen years. 

"We’ll talk about things that are going on around campus and things they are worried about,” she said.  

The students are part of a nation-wide program called the Safe School Ambassador Program, with training provided by the ‘Community Matters’ organization, and are specially trained to spot bullying and other things happening around campus. 

Ms. Rodriguez has been in charge of the program for the last thirteen years.

“There are a lot of things that go around campus, things that are said, things that are done, that we as adults just don’t see or hear. It’s not because we are not vigilant but because we can’t be everywhere all the time. For example, in the restroom, in the locker room, in the back of the classroom and nowadays on social media,” Rodriguez said.

Fifteen to twenty students per grade level act as ambassadors to their peers.

Eighth-grader Leslie Suzeth Vasquez has been a student ambassador for three years. 

"I think SSA is a group that brings people together and makes them feel safe, makes them feel comfortable with each other,” the thirteen-year-old said.

"I have seen an increase over the years of the involvement that the Safe School Ambassadors have had with our kids and what they’ve been able to accomplish within their own peers. They know when it’s time to have somebody intervene like myself, one of their teachers, a sponsor, an administrator, and we’ve really been able to know things that are going on before they happen which is the biggest part,” Rodriquez said.

Ms. Rodriguez is accessible and is constantly communicating with her students.

She says being at Jackson Middle School is right where she’s wanted to be from day one. 

"Here, we pride ourselves on being very family-oriented. We are a tight knit campus and a tight knit community. When I applied for North East, I specifically asked for Jackson Middle School, number one because that’s where I think so much growth takes place, where you can really make a different in how their life is going to go,” she said.

Leslie Suzeth Vasquez said her friends and teachers have become like family.

“It’s very nice and comfortable to be here; it feels like we are at home but we are actually at school,” she said.  

To learn more about the Safe School Ambassador Program or the Community Matters Organization, click here: https://community-matters.org/programs-services/youth-empowerment-programs/safe-school-ambassadors/

Discover the NEISD way, where our educators are approachable and keep safety a top priority.