Police, fire lend a hand on High Five Friday
Apr 14, 2023
Police Chief Joseph Perkins greets students at Mary K. Goode School for High Five Friday. Photos by Sandy Quadros Bowles
Children crowd around K-9 Officer Terry Meleski to meet his dog, Rex.
Lt. John Graham welcomes students with a smile.
Representatives from both fire and police departments participated.
High Five Friday was a group effort. Photo courtesy Middleboro Police Department
MIDDLEBORO — Middleboro school students began their day April 14 on a high-five note.
On the aptly named “High Five Friday,’’ about 20 representatives of the Middleboro police and fire departments greeted students entering the Goode and Burkland elementary schools, Memorial Early Childhood Center, and Nichols Middle School on what was already a special Friday: The final school day before April vacation.
The high-fives provide an opportunity for students to interact with public safety officials in a fun atmosphere, Police Chief Joseph Perkins said.
“I think it’s important,’’ he said of the day. “It’s important the kids see us as approachable, this shows we wants to engage the community.’’
At the Goode School, students had a special guest: The police department K-9, Rex, and his handler, K-9 officer Terry Meleski.
Many of the students stopped to give Rex a pat before heading into the school doors.
Goode School Principal Lisa White said hosting High 5 Friday is part of the effort of “building community with us and the fire and police. The kids look up to them.’’
Interactions with police and fire sometimes take place in “a time of crisis,’’ White said, which is not the ideal introduction.
Instead, she said, “it’s good to meet them in a fun’’ situation.
