Schools

Sandy Springs Police Reassure Schools in Wake of Newtown Tragedy

At Holy Innocents' teachers are prepared to answer questions students may have about the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Newtown, Conn., but they were advised not to start any conversation on the subject.

 

Sandy Springs police officers visited local schools on Monday to maintain a sense of comfort and security after Friday’s tragedy in Newton, Conn

“We don’t want people to think that something is wrong,” said Capt. Steve Rose, public information officer. “For a while everyone is going to feel in secure about [the tragedy]. It’s kind of reassuring that we are close by."

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At Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, headmaster Gene Bratek greeted parents at the lower school carpool lane, on Monday morning. “I just went out there to make myself available in case any parent thought, ‘I didn’t want to call him,’ but they may have a question,” he said.

Parents simply smiled and waved, Bratek said.

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Holy Innocent’s teachers are prepared to answer questions students may have about the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, but they were advised not to start any conversation on the subject, Bratek said.

Holy Innocents’ has had a security guard on campus for some time. Safety measures are in place in the lower and middle schools for crisis situations, Bratek added. And school officials are considering shoring up door security in the upper school, where students frequently go in and out.

In public schools, Fulton County Schools Superintendent Robert Avossa sent a note to staff late Friday afternoon.

In part he wrote: "When something terrible like this happens, it’s natural to think about your school’s safety.  This is a time to reflect on the safety plans that we regularly practice and your role in making sure students and other staff are kept safe and protected. We all play a part in keeping our schools safe.   

Parents may have questions about their child’s safety.  Please feel free to reassure them that we will do everything in our power to keep school the safest place it can be.  We have school resource officers in place in all middle and high schools, and they are able to respond to elementary schools.  We also have close working relationships with our city and county law enforcement agencies so that an emergency response can be coordinated and quickly enacted."


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