February 27. 2018
Dear Black River Families,
In light of recent events
regarding school security in our nation, I wanted to reach out to you and share
with you that the safety of Black River’s students is always at the forefront
of everything we do.
At Black River, we have
comprehensive building and district safety plans that are reviewed and updated
regularly. The doors and windows at the buildings are locked at all times
during the school day except during drop off and pick up times. During those
times, staff members are always present.
All visitors to our buildings
must sign in and wear a nametag while they are in the building.
We have security cameras at
all of our main entrances. These cameras are linked to a buzzer system, which
allows building secretaries to remotely unlock the doors to allow access.
Additionally, we have numerous security cameras both inside and outside all
buildings. We continue to upgrade the safety of our facilities as funding
becomes available.
We also believe that
awareness and training are vitally important. As such, our staff is ALICE
trained and all of our buildings participate in regular lockdown and armed
intruder drills. All employees are also trained to report items that do not
appear to be normal or could be a potential threat.
Black River is
fortunate to have a school resource officer who maintains a constant presence
in our buildings. Since the tragic shooting in Florida, we have also increased
the presence of law enforcement throughout the district. These officers are
armed while they are on duty. We are grateful for the close relationship we
have with our first responders, who continually provide their guidance and
support to ensure student safety.
In addition to our safety
measures, our goal is to create an inclusive environment where all students
feel loved and safe. As always, the very best deterrent in many situations is
forging and maintaining strong relationships and communications with staff,
students, and parents; addressing mental health and behavioral issues, dealing
with any bullying behavior immediately, as well as providing additional
counseling supports for students and families.
Please also remind your child
that if they see something or hear something that doesn’t seem right, to say
something. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Chris A. Clark
Superintendent