A recent event covered by the media sounds like a TV drama rather than horrific acts of violence being perpetrated on innocent children whose only mistake was being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Not only did the incident that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut take physical lives, it stole the childhood of the children who witnessed pure evil. Could something so demonic happen in our schools or in our town? I believe that history has proven that it certainly could. The question then becomes how can we, as a school community, protect our precious children from falling victim to a depraved individual like the one who wreaked havoc in Connecticut?
We have to be proactive and ready when an emergency occurs. Students, parents, law enforcement and the entire community must be prepared to prevent violence of any kind in our schools. This means that every person who enters the school or is on the school campus must be vigilant. As superintendent of schools, I have to be prepared and ensure that school administrators as well as all staff understand the possible dangers that may be in our midst. Whether the circumstances are man-made or caused by nature, expected or unexpected, being able to protect our schools and everyone in them takes planning and practice. The keys to good plans are attention to details, including the role that staff members will play, and practice of various scenarios.
This school year, under the leadership of our Safety Officer, Mrs. Margaret Ellen Kalmanowicz, we continue to enhance and perfect our system and school crisis plans. Mrs. Kalmanowicz continues to work with a large stakeholder group including, administrators, parents, the health department personnel as well as law enforcement officers to refine protocols that will address crisis in schools and offices. The plans include notification and contacts, emergency management, the incident command system and specific directions on how to address a multitude of crises including, but not limited to hurricanes, intruders inside the building, tornados/severe thunderstorms, earthquakes, hazardous materials spills, pandemics, shooting on campus and bus accidents. Schools are also provided with specific drill descriptions for lockdown, shelter in place, drop, cover and hold, evacuations and reverse evacuations for emergencies requiring shelter during recess or physical education classes.
Schools are required to do at a minimum the following: eleven fire drills, two tornado drills, and two crisis drills which include, lockdowns, shelter in place, intruder in the building etc. These drills are documented in our central office. The sheriff’s officers and local town police visit the schools regularly, as well as patrol the parking lots. Their presence at some schools during these drills has provided excellent feedback.
Each school year crisis plans are required to be updated. Schools are expected to execute tabletop drills. These drills will describe a major crisis and the school’s team will actually use their crisis plan to address the scenarios as though they are real. After the drill there will be a debriefing where commendations and opportunities for improvements will be discussed.
Memorandums of understanding are made with churches, fire halls, Washington College and the Community Center in the event that students have to be temporarily relocated to these sites during an emergency.
If you visit our schools or offices you will notice that the doors are locked. Before you are admitted you will be asked to state the reason for your visit. Once you enter the building the first stop is the office where you will be asked to sign in, note your place of business and obtain a visitor’s badge. The badge should be worn because it indicates that you have been to the office and identifies you as a legitimate visitor. Please do not be offended by the questions that are being asked. Remember, we are responsible for the safety of the children and staff in the building. We ask that if you notice anyone lurking in the parking lot or hanging around the building that you alert a school administrator or call 911.
Kent County Public School personnel have the ability to rapidly send out automated phone calls and text messages to all parents that have students enrolled in our schools. This enables the school system to quickly and effectively communicate with parents.
We hope that we will not have to address major emergencies that put our children and staff in harms way; however, we are ready and understand that through careful planning, training and vigilance dangerous episodes can be averted.
Dr. Barbara Wheeler is the Superintendent of Kent County Public Schools
Stephan Sonn says
Thank you for the status report as to the nature and scope of safety measures
in place for our children and general systemic considerations.
I hope that your administration will step forward with
even more innovative solutions to security concerns.