School District Safety Becomes Concern After CT Shooting
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: December 17, 2012
The tragedy in Newtown has left a lot of questions about school safety in local school districts.
The Greece School District did not wait until Monday. Instead they left an automated phone message to all parents Sunday night reassuring them that the district is one of the safest places for their children. On Sunday the superintendent, safety team and Greece Police met to double check safety protocols. Video surveillance cameras, well thought-out emergency plans and security guards are at the top of the school's list. To ease parents' concerns the police are placing some of their resources at the school this week.
"I think being reassured that we do have plans in place. We don't necessarily always advertise it, but at a building level, we all meet and work as a team to make sure we are following the procedures that the district has given us and that we all know what they are so that we can act and then we drill them with the students, so that they can act when it's necessary," said Deb Salamone, School Counselor.
"We have them at every school. Some have two security guards and we feel very comfortable having that continue. Not only have that continue, but we really feel that every building is really safe," said Deb Hoeft, Asst. Superintendent for Student Services.
As far as emotional needs of both students and teachers, counseling is provided if needed. While the staff is there to help students during this difficult time, they say it is important for children to stick to their normal routines.
"Many of us are parents ourselves so when I think about going into the building, we do it because we love the children and we would keep them safe," said Salamone.
As for the future, the superintendent has asked that a buzzer system be installed in every elementary school building entrance. If additional protocols are needed, they will be added immediately.
The Greece School District did not wait until Monday. Instead they left an automated phone message to all parents Sunday night reassuring them that the district is one of the safest places for their children. On Sunday the superintendent, safety team and Greece Police met to double check safety protocols. Video surveillance cameras, well thought-out emergency plans and security guards are at the top of the school's list. To ease parents' concerns the police are placing some of their resources at the school this week.
"I think being reassured that we do have plans in place. We don't necessarily always advertise it, but at a building level, we all meet and work as a team to make sure we are following the procedures that the district has given us and that we all know what they are so that we can act and then we drill them with the students, so that they can act when it's necessary," said Deb Salamone, School Counselor.
"We have them at every school. Some have two security guards and we feel very comfortable having that continue. Not only have that continue, but we really feel that every building is really safe," said Deb Hoeft, Asst. Superintendent for Student Services.
As far as emotional needs of both students and teachers, counseling is provided if needed. While the staff is there to help students during this difficult time, they say it is important for children to stick to their normal routines.
"Many of us are parents ourselves so when I think about going into the building, we do it because we love the children and we would keep them safe," said Salamone.
As for the future, the superintendent has asked that a buzzer system be installed in every elementary school building entrance. If additional protocols are needed, they will be added immediately.
