𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙙. 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙤𝙪𝙨. 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜.
LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ – Every school day, long before the first bell rings and long after the last student heads home, 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐞, 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐡 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧 walk the hallways, checking in on students, and ensure that Linden Public Schools remain a safe and welcoming place to learn.
On February 15, Linden Public Schools proudly joins the nation in celebrating National School Resource Officer (SRO) Appreciation Day, a day to recognize the dedication, leadership, and invaluable service these officers provide in protecting, mentoring, and guiding our students.
Assigned to Linden High School and our two middle schools, these officers are more than just law enforcement professionals—they are trusted mentors, educators, and role models. Whether offering a listening ear, teaching valuable lessons in safety and responsibility, or responding in critical moments, our SROs are the heartbeat of school safety in Linden.
𝐀 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬
Superintendent Atiya Y. Perkins expressed her gratitude for the district’s dedicated SROs:
"Our School Resource Officers are more than just law enforcement professionals—they are mentors, educators, and trusted members of our school community. Officers Veltre, Walsh, and Shacklton go above and beyond to build relationships with students, ensure a sense of security, and create a positive learning environment. We are incredibly grateful for their unwavering commitment to keeping Linden Public Schools safe."
Meet Linden’s School Resource Officers
𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐞 –Linden High School
𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐 | 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐲 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫
𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐡 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐡 –Soehl Middle School
𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖 | 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐲 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫
𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐊𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧 –McManus Middle School
𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 | 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫
These highly trained law enforcement professionals do more than maintain security on campus. They serve as mentors, educators, and role models, building meaningful connections with students, providing critical safety education, and strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the school community.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐑𝐎
The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) established National SRO Appreciation Day in 2022 to highlight the multi-faceted role SROs play in schools: "SROs bridge gaps between law enforcement and youth, keeping schools safe," said NASRO Executive Director Mo Canady. "Let’s take today to show our appreciation!"
SROs take on three vital roles that make them an essential part of the educational environment:
Mentors and counselors, providing guidance and support to students.
Law educators, teaching about safety and the legal system.
Law enforcement officers, ensuring a secure and supportive school environment,
Their presence provides peace of mind to students, staff, and families, reinforcing that safety is always a top priority at Linden Public Schools.
𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧!!
We encourage students, staff, and the Linden community to show their appreciation for Officers Veltre, Walsh, and Shacklton today! Whether it’s a simple ‘thank you,’ a handshake, or a shoutout on social media, let’s take a moment to recognize their tireless efforts in making our schools safer and stronger.