A Message From Mrs. O'Shaughnessy
I hope everyone is enjoying this last weekend in October. You could have spent Saturday at the beach, it was so hot!
This past week, we have all read and watched the events occurring outside of our country and within our country. As adults it is hard for us to understand. More specifically, the event in Maine. It is impossible to process this inhumanity. This weeks message from me is a reiteration of the NYC DOE General Response Protocol, and how each school in NYC is responsible for holding emergency drills in school. It is unfortunate that this is what is needed, but being prepared for all situations is necessary.
In my September 24th newsletter, I shared the protocol. I am attaching the links and family letter again, so that all families are aware.
All principals attend training yearly. Last summer, I attended training at the NYPD Police Academy. This training was specific to the national model of Run, Hide, Fight. These things are very unnerving to adults, especially in schools, because our role is not to just protect ourselves, put to protect all of the students. There are other measures that the school community and I have been fighting for to ensure our safety; school wide camera system and door alarms. We are happy to say that we were included in the pilot program for door locking systems, and have had door locks since last year. Our camera project has begun, and this year, our school will have a full internal and external camera system that is monitored by our SSA Ms. Buie, and administration.
That is the technical side. Families are worried about how students perceive this. Evacuations drills (formerly called Fire Drills) and shelter in drills are less worrisome. The Soft Lockdown is what families are always concerned about. I am sharing below how this is communicated to our students. The process is turn off the lights, check the hallway for any walking students, lock the door, and be out of sight. Drills are conducted throughout the year. If this protocol is ever enacted, and is not a drill, I always communicate this with the community. A soft lockdown can simply be initiated if a parent gets lost in the building, and finds themselves on a floor looking for the main office. If a staff member notices someone who does not work in the school, they call the office to report this, a soft lockdown goes into place, and the BRT (Building Response Team) sweeps the building to find the person. We avoid this by giving everyone a visitor sticker, directions in all languages (if not escorted) to the main office, a radio alert to the office from the safety desk that someone is coming up (so that we are aware if they don't show up in a minute) and a soon to be installed camera system to watch the person proceed to the first floor.
I know that this is something we wish our children never knew of, but please know, our staff is trained each year on General Response Protocol, and drills ensure the community that we are indeed prepared for anything.
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/safe-schools/emergency-readiness
Please email me if you have any questions. And have a GREAT WEEK!
Fall Festival: October 31st
On Tuesday, we will be hosting our Fall Festival. Students can come in costume to celebrate. Some of our families do not celebrate Halloween, but we want to assure you that your child does not have to participate in the Fall Costume Parade. If you do not want your child to take part in the parade, we have staff who stay in school, and will be with the students.
Details of the day:
- Students will exit the building through the main door at 8:50am and walk counterclockwise around the perimeter of the building once.
- Parents can walk with their child's class, or observe from the sidelines.
- Catalpa Avenue will be closed to traffic at dismissal, and in conjunction with the Italian American Federation, will distribute pumpkins and or goody bags to all families. Please pick up you child and then proceed to the corner of Catalpa and Fresh Pond Road.
