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Anchor Bay Schools Superintendent Says Safety Procedures Are Reviewed Regularly

The district released a statement Monday regarding school safety in light of the mass shootings Friday in Connecticut.

 

In light of a devastating school shooting Friday in Connecticut that shocked and saddened the nation, local school districts are reassuring parents about student safety.

When asked by Patch about security measures in the district, Anchor Bay Schools Superintendent Leonard Woodside issued the following statement Monday morning:

"Naturally parents are concerned about the safety of their children in school. Over the years the Anchor Bay Board of Education has been pro-active in taking measures to assure the safety of our students.

"All schools are locked down during the school day. All of our main entrances have sally ports or security entrances where parents and visitors can only enter the building through one front door and must report to the main office where identification is required. Safety procedures are reviewed monthly and all schools hold tornado, fire, and lockdown drills," according to Woodside.

In a letter to parents on Friday, L'Anse Creuse Public Schools Superintendent Jackie Johnston assured parents that the district's own security procedures will continue to be practiced and refined for the safety of all L'Anse Creuse students, faculty and staff.

"I would like to assure you that your children's safety is our number one priority," Johnston wrote. "As our number one priority the district upholds rigorous safety procedures that are reviewed regularly. In addition there are multiple safety drills in place for each school that are practiced throughout the school year."

New Haven Community Schools also said Friday it will also review security measures for the district.

Related Topics: Anchor Bay Schools, L'Anse Creuse Schools, New Haven Community Schools, School Safety, and School Security

I am crying foul

3:05 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012

Interesting. I have two children in Anchor Bay Schools. One in 8th and one in 4th. Neither can recall any lockdown drills. Both have been in the district since preschool. Don't think they would forget a drill like that. Neither can recall a recent Tornado drill either. Maybe they are forgetting? Also-entering the school is through one set of doors as stated. Once in the office, one can simply pass through the office, and on into the school. IF one desired to do no good, giving ID would be the last thing to be worried about. And would one of the office staff ladies stop this person? Or just be the first victim? Procedures are not solid enough in my kids schools. Hire a professional Woodside, this is not your area of expertise.

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Chantel Negoshian

8:14 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

I'm so glad Mr Woodside took till Monday to say something. And in an interview no less. Had i not been subscribed to Patch, I would have bever known. No letters have come home to parents explaining procedures, or how they were going to discuss this in a age appropriate manner with the kids. And the office staff was less than helpful when called to ask them how the procedures would be in light of Fridays events. I'm not terribly confident with the solidity of the 'plan' because my 11 yr old can't remember a tornado or lockdown drill since EARLY last spring. Call me crazy, but I'm going to believe a 6th grader over someone who is a little late to the dance in the aspect of calming the parents concerns. Take a note from Chippewa Valleys book- get a ABSD FB page at VERY LEAST and keep the parents informed via there, email or actual letter being sent home. Something. Anything. These are our children, and your enthusiasm about their safety seems a little less than adequate. As 'Crying Foul' above stated, 'hire a professional'.

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PJ

9:02 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

My daughter is in 5th grade in AB schools and they did, in fact, just have a lockdown drill days before the incident. We also received a letter home from the Principal, and the classes were read a statement. The children were comforted and offered to talk to the Principal or teachers if they needed to. I think it was handled appropriately and thank the school and the district for their response.

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SW

9:57 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

No communication from ABSD. My kids are at Lighthouse and there has been NO COMMUNICATION. As Chantel said Woodside is a little late! Glad I subscribe to Patch to find out what's going on in ABSD.

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JKB MOM

9:57 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

I'm utterly disgusted in the way the district as a whole has reacted to the Sandy Hook tragedy. We have received NOTHING from anyone in the district, no letters, no emails, it's like it never happened. Our schools have to know that it was weighing heavy on the minds of EVERY parent or caregiver as we sent our children off to school yesterday morning. It is in total disreagurd for the well being and peace of mind of the parents that send their children to Anchor Bay Schools to NOT address the situation. More then ever right now, today, I want to know the schools protocol if and hopefully NEVER something like this ever happens in my childs school. What is the plan of action? Is there one in place? If so, what is it? Do they plan on re-vising any plans of action? If so, when? Sad that we even have to talk and worry about this but this is our world today, these are our children and we must demand that our schools respond appropriately. Not sure where to start but I will be making some phone calls today.

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PJ

10:33 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

There has also been a posting on the ABSD website that was put up over the weekend.

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JKB MOM

10:33 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

SW we are Lighthouse too, sad, right?

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JKB MOM

11:39 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Yes, I did see that posting over the weekend. The stand alone link posted from The Childrens National Medical Center. That was nice. I did not see anything updated on the site last night. However, after just checking i see Mr. Woodside did add a paragraph or two addressing the situation. Still not satisfied with what was said or how it was delivered. Again, as another poster stated "he's a little too late to the dance". I'm just shocked and expected more out of our school, I thought we were better than that. I guess i was expecting something close to what our surrounding districts have done:/

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SW

11:39 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

JKB yes it is!!! I am disappointed by this district. I was on the ABSD website Sunday night and saw nothing PJ. I was hoping My kids school would communicate how they would answer questions from the kids if they had any. I reached out to my children's teachers but it sure would have been nice to have some official communication!

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SW

11:41 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

I do see the statement now on the website.. A little late Anchor Bay. My son is however familiar with the lockdown drills and procedure.

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Chantel Negoshian

6:37 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The sad thing is that we shouldn't have to go searching for the information. They should be completely transparent with the parents. We're entrusting our kids very safety in their hands. PJ- your 5th grader may have done a drill at her elementary school. But according to my son, they've only done a fire drill at ABMSN.

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kidcat24

7:41 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Just one school did it? Hmmmmm

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JKB MOM

9:03 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

I just questioned my son last night 3rd grade he said they have done one fire drill around Halloween but thats it. Makes you wonder.

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Nikki D

10:25 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

My daughter goes to MacDonald and while they do have the doors there, niether I or her Aunt have ever been asked for ID when picking her up or taking her to her classroom. I also think the communication has to be better than just on the website as not everyone has computer access.

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I am crying foul

10:25 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

School board meeting TONIGHT!(Wednesday) 7:30, ABMSN Library..Tell your friends and neighbors.....make your voice heard!!

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