January 10, 2024
Right before the Holiday break, Harlem Elementary students were treated to exciting, yet educational, assemblies presented by employees of BNSF Railway Company. The presentation was titled, "Operation Lifesaver," and the speakers were Oaken Wergin – Manager of Safety, Darin L. Wynn – Safety Facilitator, and Jacey Tinney – Supervisor of Engineering Support. These BNSF representatives took the time to prepare seven different presentations geared to each individual grade level from kindergarten through sixth grade. The youngest audiences were treated to the video, "Train or Track – Just Stay Back" while the older students watched, "Stop, Look, and Listen." The presenters also involved the students in demonstrations depicting the great distance it takes a train to stop compared to a vehicle. Finally, each grade level had a question and answer session at the end of their assembly where the speakers addressed every question, one on one and face to face, which added to the sincerity and importance of their message to everyone - Stay Off, Stay Away, Stay Alive. Harlem Elementary sends a huge thank you to BNSF and Oaken, Darin, and Jacey for teaching our students the proper railway rules to keep themselves and our community safe.