[HenleyMatters] Letter from Dr. Moran

[jmt2n@adelphia.net]

Forwarded from Parent Council:

Dear Parent Council Representatives: 

 

I have received about 5-6 calls to the superintendent’s office from parents who have heard rumors regarding Thursday of this week being the day that attacks on AHS and WAHS were to occur. I know that further rumors among some students and parents that “something” might still happen have been brought to the principals’ attention. Based on our work with Matt Haas and Anne Coughlin at their high schools over the last couple of months to address rumors, the police and administrative staff have investigated any comments that have been made by students about these rumors and ruled out that these concerns or rumors have any validity.  

 

The police and district attorney believe that all the students involved in this case have been tried and convicted. Anne Coughlin and Matt Haas have been working with parents as well as any students who have concerns to ensure that they know we, as a Division, are always doing everything we can to ensure student and staff safety every day of the week. We ask that parents who have questions or concerns about their school’s safety and security, should talk directly with the principal. 

 

Albemarle County Public Schools continues to work closely with the Albemarle County Police Department to ensure the safety of our students and staff. This is a relationship we are continually building so we are proactive about safety issues on our campuses and constantly prepared should anything happen on any given day. The Police Department advises us that the recent investigation of Albemarle County students related to a safety threat was successful and they believe all the suspects in the case have been arrested and convicted. Right now we have no information that causes us to believe there are any immediate safety threats to our schools. We expect school to proceed as it normally does during the next several days. We have always worked closely with our police department and have a confidential and comprehensive plan to deal with any emergencies that might arise. Parents may view the crisis plan for any school at the school office.

 

We have no reason to expect to have anything but ordinary school days this week. Resource Officers will be present this week in assigned schools as they normally are. Staff members at AHS and WAHS have been asked to increase their visibility on campus and be responsive to students who might have questions or concerns about school safety. With Steele Howen, Executive Director of Administrative Services including our discipline management systems, I will visit WAHS and AHS on Thursday. Typical drop-in visits from Sergeant Seitz, School Resource Officer Coordinator, and his extended staff will occur at these schools during week as well.  

 

While safety is always on our minds, the recent events did prompt us to look at our schools and some procedures with fresh eyes to find any areas for improvements in safety. For example: 

 

Every school has a safety plan that’s reviewed with staff every year. The safety plans involve conducting drills to practice our response to natural or man-made incidents. We do lockdown drills regularly. Albemarle High conducted one April 12, Jouett did one March 3 and Western on March 30.  
 

We have met with Dr. Dewey Cornell, director of the Virginia Youth Violence Project and a nationally known threat assessment expert to review our response to the student arrests and talk about crisis prevention and response. 
 

Albemarle County Police Department officers trained as site security specialists are in the process of conducting safety reviews of campuses. A recent review at Albemarle High prompted several improvements. 
 

We are in the process of working with the police department on a joint grant for expanding and upgrading video security systems at the comprehensive high schools and middle schools. This was planned over a year ago as a component of our partnership with the police department. 
 

Electronic communications are often now playing a role in school safety incidents.  Many of our schools have hosted information sessions on Internet safety for students and parents, and the school Division created an information sheet about online safety tips that’s been shared with sites and made available on our website. 
 

We continue as a school division to focus on improving school climates. Our budget proposal for next school year has several items that contribute to this work such as an expansion of our bullying prevention program. 
 

Principals, especially those at the schools attended by the arrested students, are emphasizing to students, parents and staff that threats are taken seriously and can be a violation of law and school codes. They are discussing how threats over the internet or in any other form should be reported and will be investigated.   
 

 

Sincerely, 

 

Pamela Moran 

Superintendent of Schools  
 

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