I know that
we are all carrying heavy hearts as a result of the tragedy in Florida and our
thoughts are with their community.
During
times like this, we also can't help but think of our own children and the
schools they attend. As principal, there is
absolutely nothing more important to me than the safety of our students. Below,
I have included a message from the FCPS Office of School Security which outlines
the many steps the school & division take to keep our students safe.
If you have any questions about the
safety or security of your children, please do not hesitate to contact me.
We
will continue to keep the victims and the brave heroes in our thoughts.
Sincerely,
Kevin West -Principal
From the Office of Safety and Security
Yesterday’s
tragic
event in Parkland, Florida at Marjory
Stoneman Douglas High School is another sobering reminder for all of us to
continue to exercise due diligence when it comes to safety and security
operations within FCPS. Because of the continuing potential of both
intended and unintended threats to our schools, FCPS has focused a great deal
of attention to emergency procedures, and is vigilant about protecting the
safety of its students and employees. The school division has spent considerable
time and effort in planning and practicing day to day safety and security
measures, as well as addressing response to a major critical incident. Among
these measures are:
·
Physical
Security (Locked doors, intrusion alarms, electronic door access, CCTV)
·
Visitor
Management System and Procedures (Deployed system wide)
·
Emergency
planning coordination with police, fire, and emergency management offices
- Comprehensive division-wide crisis management plan
- Individual school crisis plans-updated annually
(includes evacuation, and parent reunification plans)
- Lockdown, Fire, and Tornado Drills
- Table Top exercises at all schools
- Critical incident terms awareness and training
(Lockdown, Secure the Building, Shelter in Place, Stay Put Stay Tuned)
- Threat assessment process
- Confidential tip, text, and email programs
- Uniformed school security patrols (24x7)
- Employee training in crisis management and
communication. (Lockdown, Evacuation, and “Run, Hide, Fight”)
- SROs at all middle and high schools
- FCPS security personnel at all middle and high schools
In specific response to the Parkland incident, FCPS school
security has increased its presence at schools, and the Fairfax County PD has
ordered an increased patrol presence near and around our schools. While there
are no specific threats to our area, this step is being taken out of an
abundance of caution, and to provide reassurance to students, staff, and the
community after the events that occurred in Florida yesterday.
While no methodology is fool-proof, FCPS is fortunate to be
in an area where the school division and the county work together to take every
precaution in the event of an emergency. This is a continual process in which
FCPS will always look to improve our safety and security footprint. Safety and
security is everyone’s job. Staff, students, parents and the community at large
are reminded to incorporate safety and security awareness as routine, and to
immediately report any unusual activity to the authorities.
Our thoughts are with the families and staff of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and
the residents of Parkland.
All
FCPS schools will be closed on Monday, February 19, for the Presidents Day
holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 20. See the 2017-18
school year calendar.
Mira Tadros is our new School Information Assistant working in the front office. She will be among the first to greet you each time you visit Sunrise Valley. She is also the primary contact for student registration and records. Ms. Tadros joins us from the FCPS Human Resources office. She has replaced Joan Friedman who is now working at South Lakes.
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