ACSD Superintendent shares letter to parents following recent school shooting in Connecticut

In response to the school shooting tragedy that transpired Friday, December 14 in Newtown, CT, Allamakee Community School District Superintendent Dave Herold has composed and distributed the following letter to parents of students within the Allamakee Community School District. Anyone with further questions regarding the letter or school district policies is invited to contact Superintendent Herold at 563-568-3409.

Parents:
I am sending this letter out in response to the tragedy that took place last week at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. This tragedy is so heartbreaking and unimaginable that it is actually hard to believe it actually took place. With that said, the staff at Allamakee Schools takes the safety of its students and staff very seriously. To ensure the safety of all, I sent an email to staff immediately on Monday morning reminding them of our security measures. I have asked that staff:
• make sure they go over the security measures for their area.
• continue to make sure all outside entrances (except the front entryway) to the school are locked at the beginning of the school day.
• (If staff addresses the tragedy with students), please be careful, and only do so in an age appropriate manner.
• guidance counselors are available for staff and students.
• let students know that it is up to all of us to make sure this is a safe place. Please report any suspicious behavior or any information (they hear or read) that may be troubling concerning issues of shootings, suicide, or any other troubling events. I am asking that parents do the same.
In addition, we will continue to review security systems that we currently have in place and hold periodic lockdown drills. In addition, we will be reviewing and addressing other future security measures for staff and student safety. Again, we take our students' and staff safety very seriously and will take every precaution available to ensure their safety.