Good afternoon,
A letter came home with the children today sharing thoughts, updates to our safety procedures, and an invitation for parents to attend a meeting on safety protocols when we return from the holidays (January 9th).
Throughout the day today, a number of parents asked if HCS has conducted lock-down drills in the past. HCS has conducted lock-down drills. We held them on half days, with our faculty, so they were well versed in the steps to take should an emergency occur. We chose this route so we wouldn't raise the anxiety of our students.
This year, however, we have decided to include the students, so they too have a clear sense of what to do. We started planning a drill before the recent incident and have included both the local police and the Sheriff's Department . Once we set the date for the drills, letters will come home (with limited information) and our teachers will start the conversation with our elementary students.
Today, I spoke to the secondary students and told them that we will be running a lock-down drill. Teachers and students continued the conversation and many great questions were generated from the kids.
We are limited with what we can share with parents. Schools are counseled to limit this type of information. I'm sure you understand the logic behind releasing safety protocols.
The administrators and teachers have been in constant communication since Friday. The local police and Sheriff's Department have been involved as well. We are all on the same page. HCS also made some safety modifications today that are outlined in the cited letter. You will be hearing more about safety changes in the very near future.
Diana Bowers
A letter came home with the children today sharing thoughts, updates to our safety procedures, and an invitation for parents to attend a meeting on safety protocols when we return from the holidays (January 9th).
Throughout the day today, a number of parents asked if HCS has conducted lock-down drills in the past. HCS has conducted lock-down drills. We held them on half days, with our faculty, so they were well versed in the steps to take should an emergency occur. We chose this route so we wouldn't raise the anxiety of our students.
This year, however, we have decided to include the students, so they too have a clear sense of what to do. We started planning a drill before the recent incident and have included both the local police and the Sheriff's Department . Once we set the date for the drills, letters will come home (with limited information) and our teachers will start the conversation with our elementary students.
Today, I spoke to the secondary students and told them that we will be running a lock-down drill. Teachers and students continued the conversation and many great questions were generated from the kids.
We are limited with what we can share with parents. Schools are counseled to limit this type of information. I'm sure you understand the logic behind releasing safety protocols.
The administrators and teachers have been in constant communication since Friday. The local police and Sheriff's Department have been involved as well. We are all on the same page. HCS also made some safety modifications today that are outlined in the cited letter. You will be hearing more about safety changes in the very near future.
Diana Bowers