Dear Parent:
Because we live in challenging times, we have added a new chapter
to our school safety and security plans and during this time
of year we will be practicing our drills including evacuation
and shelter in -place. I do not want parents or students
to be alarmed, I want you to be informed about ongoing our
drill sessions. Plans were designed with the help of
our school security staff members, emergency management, and
public health officials. Plans are regularly reviewed and updated. We
include procedures to respond to critical incidents, like fire
and threat of external intruders, and we practice drills regularly.
Now, we, along with other schools, have added an additional
procedure, called shelter-in-place—a tool to protect
students in the event of potential exposure to a dangerous
chemical in the atmosphere.
If a dangerous chemical were released in the community and posed
a threat to students during the school day, we would be directed—most
likely by public health or safety officials—to bring all
students and staff members indoors; including those in trailers;
to shut down all heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems;
and to close and secure all doors and windows. The neutral atmospheric
pressure created by these actions would create a barrier and help
keep chemical agents from leaking into the building.
This approach has proven to be safe–much safer than evacuating
students into a contaminated outdoor environment. In fact, no person
protected by a shelter-in-place procedure has died as a result
of any of the 35 major chemical accidents in this country over
the last 20 years.
During a shelter-in-place incident, school official will secure
the school building and people will not be allowed in or out of
the building until an all-clear signal is given. While we protect
our students in the school building, we recognize that—for
their own safety—our parents will be sheltered in their own
homes or places of work. The school division will make every effort
to communicate the status of our students to you and the community. I
will continue to keep you informed of safety and security measures
in place at O’Brien. If you have questions, please
call me at 203 732 -1800. I appreciate your continued support
in these matters.
Sincerely yours,
Lisa Hylwa
Principal |
