L'Anse Creuse Addresses Own School Security in Wake of Connecticut Shooting
L'Anse Creuse Public Schools Superintendent Jackie Johnston addressed the district's own "rigorous safety procedures" in a letter to parents Friday.
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School districts across the country, including L'Anse Creuse Public Schools, are reviewing their security policies this week in the wake of the tragic shooting at a Newtown, CT, elementary school Friday.
“There are no words to express the heartbreak coming from the tragic shooting today at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut," wrote LCPS Superintendent Jackie Johnston wrote on the district's Facebook page. "Though it is far away from our neighborhoods there is no doubt each one of us is filled with despair while the nation morns this dreadful incident."
In a letter to parents Friday, Johnston reiterated these thoughts and 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 writes. "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."
Johnston encourages parents to review tips from the International Center to Heal Our Children (ICHOC) for help addressing this tragedy with children at home.
Newtown Shooting
At approximately 9:30 a.m. Friday, a man – whose identity police have yet to confirm – entered Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, and opened fire, killing 26 people, including 20 children.
Connecticut State Police Lt. Paul Vance later confirmed the death of the gunman and one other adult victim at a "secondary scene" in Connecticut during a press conference Friday, according to Newtown Patch.
Read more: New Haven Community Schools to Review Security Following Newtown Shooting
In Michigan, the House and Senate passed legislation this week that would allow gun owners with concealed weapon permits to carry a gun into schools, daycares, hospitals or public arenas if they get extra training. The bill is awaiting Gov. Rick Snyder's signature, according to MLive.
However, Snyder told Local 4 Friday that he plans to take a week to review the bill given the recent tragedy.
Jenny Whalen
9:03 pm on Friday, December 14, 2012
Are metal detectors and armed guards the next step in school security? How far do local districts need to go to protect students?
Gman
8:42 am on Saturday, December 15, 2012
We need metal detectosr at ALL schools . If a metal is detected then the door does not open. The person would need to empty pockets of all metal and re-enter the detector. If metal is detected the door does not open. Pretty simple.
Frustrated Old Man
12:53 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
They are just now addressing security??? Columbine happened about 13 years ago people!!! PFZ's (Pistol Free Zones), are ripe shooting galleries for crazed idiots. People need to wake up!
dk
10:52 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
We need to put an automatic security system that shuts and locks doors, especially if someone is hostile in the office a push of a button wont let them any further into the school, bullet proof windows and a security officer that stays or visits schools daily.