DEARBORN -The tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut has left a nation in mourning. However, schools across the country have also begun to take extra precautions to ensure something of that nature does not occur again. Dearborn Public Schools has reacted to the incident by sending out a letter to the district’s Parents. In the letter, Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Brian Whiston ensures that several procedures and policies have already been implemented.

“Our staff does an excellent job of having “the pulse” of their school and over the next few days will be paying extra attention to how the students are reacting to this tragedy. If any child seems to be overly upset or concerned about this event, please know that we have outstanding resources available in our schools and students can talk with our highly-trained professional team of Social Workers and Psychologists,” Brian Whiston stated in the letter.

Whiston had stated Dearborn’s Public School’s will continue to practice the following safety procedures:

• All staff must have their ID on them at all times and it should be visible.

• All visitors must sign in at the main office and receive a visitor’s pass.

• Students and staff are not to open any exterior doors for anyone.

• As required, all schools practice their emergency drills throughout the year.

• All schools do have a detailed security/crisis plan in place 

  and it is reviewed each year.

• The district has an excellent relationship with the police department and 

  works closely with them to review security protocol and procedures. 

Staff and faculty at the schools will also work together to make sure children feel safer. Discussions of the Sandy Elementary shooting could take place in an age appropriate manner inside of the classrooms, but they will not dominate the discussions of the day. Also, children will be reminded that the tragedy took place in a different state and nothing of this nature has ever happened at Dearborn’s Public Schools. They will be reminded that police men, parents, teachers and school staff are always present to keep them safe.