Good Afternoon, CUSD,
Our hearts are heavy this week as we try to process the senseless and evil act of violence that killed two 14 year old students and two teachers and wounded nine others in a school shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia on Wednesday.
Our highest priority is the safety and wellbeing of our staff and students. This tragedy is a reminder that we must be vigilant and persistent in addressing school safety, with an expectation that everyone in our school community is part of our campus safety efforts. Our close collaboration with the Coronado Police Department and the implementation of We Tip (our ‘See Something Say Something’ online reporting system - linked below) are crucial components in keeping our schools safe. These district resources were put to use earlier this week as a threat towards CHS was made on a social media site. Please read the communication from staff to our Islander community here. I cannot imagine the pain of the staff, families, and community members in Apalachee, and am filled with love and gratitude for all that our staff and students bring to this special community.
Before school began last month our administrative cabinet, along with Coronado Police and Fire Department staff, spent the day at a hands-on interactive workshop reviewing the district's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) with the School Safety Operations team. These annual training sessions are essential to our ability to respond and communicate effectively during times of uncertainty.
Unfortunately, it is also a reality that we cannot shield our children from exposure to hearing and reading about these horrific events. However, we can do our best to provide opportunities to listen to their questions, feelings, and concerns, and to encourage discussion with trusted adults. This week provides another reminder on how fortunate we are in CUSD to have an amazing team who educate and support our children with both care and concern.
Our partners at the San Diego County Office of Education have compiled a list of resources for educators and families to discuss school shootings. CLICK HERE FOR RESOURCES.
Our concern for the safety of our students extends to the commute to and from school every day. As the use of e-bikes continues to grow we are working in collaboration with the City and Coronado Police Department to develop an e-bike safety education program which will be rolled out later this fall (more information coming soon). More speed requires more awareness, more visibility, and more focus! Please remind your students, whether walking, biking, e-biking, or driving, to be especially vigilant on their way to and from school.
The heat has been a factor this week as well. We have been carefully monitoring the national and local weather sources to ensure that we adhere to our heat policies and OSHA requirements. As many of you are aware, not all of our learning spaces are air conditioned. The district has engaged in numerous feasibility and cost studies for both air conditioning and solar. Based on numerous factors, including facility and power upgrades, as well as initial and ongoing costs, the fiscal reality of a long term solution has not been identified.
We understand that none of that makes our current reality any easier to navigate, and we will continue to seek alternative solutions to mitigate heat and provide relief on our hottest days; including maximizing use of cool zones that have been identified on all campuses.
Shout out to our Maintenance & Operations crew for opening classroom windows and turning on fans early each morning prior to teachers and students arrival!
And now the fun stuff… our Islander football team is playing at home tonight at 7pm and it is CUSD Staff Appreciation Night (all staff get in free!). It should be a perfect balmy night to sit outside, so come on out and celebrate our amazing staff and cheer on the team!
Karl J. Mueller
Superintendent
