School Security-Always A Focus At WPS

As a result of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, school districts all over the country are reviewing their procedures, enlisting experts, and making improvements to their current practices. We have gone through the same process in Wrentham. In addition to working closely with the Wrentham Police Department, we also held a parent meeting to gain additional input. About 45 parents attended the meeting where the focus was on suggestions for improvement, as well as explanations of our current practices. A parent (who works as a director of security) in attendance commented,"I think we can all leave here tonight knowing that the schools are doing a good job with the two most important aspects of building security; access and communication." Even though we meet the recommendations of Homeland Security, one of our core values in Wrentham  is continuous growth and learning.  To that end, we have taken the following actions since our parent meeting:

• The entire staff met with the administrative team to review the updated lockdown procedures.
• School Committee Chair Ed Goddard and I met with Chief Anderson and Lt. McGrath to discuss the possibility of adding a School Resource Officer (SRO) for the district.
• Improved visitor signage was placed in all buildings.
• We moved foreword with the bidding process for reconfiguring the main entrance of the Delaney School.
• Panic buttons with a direct line to the Wrentham Police Department will be installed strategically throughout the district during the week of January 22nd.
• Staff members will be attending additional training organized by District Attorney Michael Morrissey and Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Rowe.
• A local security expert will do building "walkthroughs" and attend our next lockdown drill and give us recommendations.

In addition, we will be sending home information to all parents prior to our next lockdown drill. This notification will include information on preparing your children prior to the drill.

Please see a related story from this week.

http://wrentham.patch.com/articles/wrentham-school-committee-looking-into-new-security-measures


As always, your feedback and comments are welcome.

Jeff Marsden
Superintendent of Schools




Link to Parent Letter of December 14th.

http://wrentham.k12.ma.us/C1/School%20Notices%20from%20the%20Princi/December%20Notices/Safety%20Letter%20to%20Parents.pdf