In its first month, Dunkirk City School District appears to be taking many positive steps. This week, at the secondary school, the International Save a Life Tour made a stop to promote safe driving. That includes placing an emphasis on distracted driving, improper behavior and seat-belt usage.

Last week, School 3 and some Board of Education members took time to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which continues through Oct. 15. “We have a lot of Hispanics within our community and within our school. This is a way to celebrate them and make them feel welcome; to have the parents want to be part of our school and our school district,” said Principal Kisun Peters. “I think it’s our responsibility to reach out to our constituents and our stakeholders within the community … to make them feel welcome within our community.”

Featured at the event was Puerto Rican cuisine from Arly and Izzy’s food truck, music played by a DJ, a raffle fundraiser, SUNY Fredonia soccer players on site to demonstrate soccer skills, students from the Upward Bound program through SUNY Fredonia offering temporary washable tattoos, and a community artist, Maria DeJesus.

This year’s slogan for the district is “Whatever it takes.” By being involved in the community — while sharing lessons that just are not from textbooks — it is a wonderful start.