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Dear Families,
I, along with all members of the staff at CWES today, share in your grief, fear, and frustration about the tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday. These events impact us all in personal ways. One thing we all have in common is our condemnation of these senseless acts of violence.
Another thing we have in common is our commitment to keeping our schools, and the students and employees within them, physically and psychologically safe. FCPS and Canterbury Woods work to make critical safety upgrades to our buildings, plan and practice day-to-day safety and security measures, and respond swiftly to any concern or possible event. Details about our safety and security measures are below.
We also know that our students need care, support, and understanding as they learn about acts of gun violence. We have that support in place and encourage everyone to use them. Today, our teachers were provided with common morning meeting materials in the event that students seemed upset in the primary grades or in the event that students came in talking about the tragedy in the upper grades. These were optional materials to be used at the teachers' discretion based upon their assessment of how students were feeling and what they were talking about in as they entered classrooms this morning.
In the primary grades (K-3), your child might have read the book "Most People" by Michael Leannah, talked about helpers, and played a game of finding common activities they enjoy and that can cheer them up on a hard day. The book is available on Youtube if you would like to review it and/or read it with your child.
In the upper grades (4-6), your child might have talked about what they knew and the reliability of their sources. They processed and reflected on the information they had, how they felt and what questions they wanted to discuss with their parents. We reviewed the drills and procedures in place to protect them in order to reinforce their sense of safety at school. Some students spoke with a counselor if they needed more support than this morning meeting discussion.
We stand together as the Canterbury Woods community and in solidarity with the Robb Elementary School community.
Here are some additional resources you may want to explore as you process this senseless and horrific act.
National Association of School Psychologists Resources:
Warm regards,
Diane Leipzig, Dr. L
Gun Violence Prevention Information and Education
Lessons on gun safety are already built into our curriculum.
The FCPS website has a page dedicated to gun violence prevention.
Safety Measures
Because of the potential for 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 the 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
- Lockdown, Fire, and Tornado Drills
- Safety training and 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
- Mandatory annual safety training for all students and staff
- Systemwide emergency alert systems
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. Know that we take the safety and security of all students very seriously, and additional information regarding our programs can be found here.
Safety Tip Line
Webpage
School administrators encourage students, staff and community members to report school safety issues, such as threats, unsafe or dangerous situations, illegal drug activity, theft, gang activity, existence of weapons, vandalism and concerns about student wellness. Tipline users may identify themselves or remain anonymous.
You may submit your anonymous tips using any of the following methods:
- Online- SchoolMessenger Quick Tip Form
- SMS Text- 888-777, keyword TIP FCPS
- Please remember to include the name of the affected school/facility when reporting. An automated banner will respond, allowing the person to text information.
- You may receive a response in return asking for additional information. The responder is NOT able to see your name or phone number.
- Phone- 571-423-2020
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