Principal's Spotlight on Learning: Safety & Security

by Matthew Sidarous, principal

It's not really any fun to think about, but in our current day, schools need to take more measures than ever before to keep our students and staff safe. This is why it is our number 1 priority as a school district. Keeping our school safe is a group effort, but I couldn't be happier to have Mr. Darian at the front of our school. The whole reason that position exists is to follow safety procedures that keep us safe while constantly monitoring our building and grounds.

While I can't share every detail of our safety plan, I wanted to point out some measures that are taken that help us accomplish this goal:

• Dedicated School Safety Officer who monitors our interior and exterior security cameras
• Shatter resistant film on all front windows and doors
• Single point of entry/exit for student and parents that includes a double entry
• Each class has an emergency bag and bucket that contain vital supplies and information that may be needed during an emergency.
• Regular door checks by the safety officer to ensure entries and exits are locked at all times
• Safety drills that teach/practice lockdowns, evacuations, secure, hold and shelter-in-place procedures
• Adequate supervision on the playground
• Requiring visitors to provide identification and display a visitors' badge while in the building
• All volunteers who are with students must pass a background check
• Doors that house students or staff locked are locked at all times

The district is always in the process of reviewing and revising our safety plans. This includes regular meetings between our district leaders and local police jurisdictions where they pose recommendations to make our schools even safer. The timeline is unknown, but some upcoming security enhancements will include additional fencing around the school grounds.

In addition to this, it is important that your student feels emotionally safe while at school. If they are coming home sad or having a difficult time navigating a social conflict with another student, please contact your child's teacher and myself so we can help them.

One last thing, make sure and thank Mr. Darian for his dedication to helping us stay safe! The orange makes him easy to spot. 😀