March 5, 2018
Dear Parents / Guardians,
In light of the recent tragedy that has unfolded in Florida regarding a student shooting, LUSD9 is currently reviewing its security and safety policies in order to ensure that our schools are as safe as possible for all students and staff. In reassessing our security plans and procedures to enhance and fortify student safety, we are currently planning on installing a new security surveillance system at the end of this month. This system will provide surveillance of Beaver Dam Elementary School and Beaver Dam Jr./Sr. High School both inside the building and outside the campus areas. There will be external surveillance at the District Offices as well. Moreover, a subsequent phase of adding a security fob system and prop alarm doors is being research for possible installation for the 18-19 school year.
While security and surveillance systems are critical elements of a first line of defense, equally important is a Crisis Management Plan that provides detailed security information that a school system adheres to during a potential or actual incident. These plans entail a variety of drills that our students and staff take part of such as fire drills, lockdowns, and intruder in the building. Due to the times we are living in, we request that all students participating in these drills take the drills seriously each and every time. For it is these drills we practice which provide experience so that in the event of a true threat, the students and staff will be prepared to deal with the event immediately and swiftly. The District will continue to modify the Crisis Management Plan in order to incorporate best practices in school safety. However, we ask parents to reiterate to your child the importance of taking these drills seriously.
An additional policy that we ask all parents/guardians to review with their child is weapons on school property. Weapons (a knife, a gun, or a destructive device or instrument) are NOT allowed on school property at any time. LUSD9 policy, “Weapons in School,” specifically states, “A student who violates this policy by carrying or possessing a weapon shall be placed in an alternative education program for a period of not less than one (1) year, suspended for a period of not less than one (1) year, or expelled and not be readmitted within a one (1) year period, if ever.” The JH / SH Student-Parent Handbook reinforces that possession of a weapon is grounds for suspension and up to expulsion. Again, by reviewing these policies with your child simply makes all students safer at LUSD9.
Finally, in order to take a District-wide, unified stance on security at our schools, the entire student body and staff will participate in a School Safety March on Wednesday, March 14th beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the high school. At this time, the 7th – 12th grades will march down the hill to the elementary school and join all of the elementary students. Our Jr. Class Student Council Representatives are diligently working on providing safety training information and educational materials to our elementary students including skits regarding school drills, see something – say something, building a strong community, etc. We would be truly honored if you would join us in this united front to help us underscore the importance of student safety.
If at any time you or your child has a question regarding safety at school, please feel free to contact either Mrs. Young, BDES Principal or me, at the Jr./Sr. High School. Thank you for helping us to keep your child as safe as possible in our schools.
Sincerely,
Lael Calton
7-12 Principal / Superintendent
Littlefield Unified School District No. 9