How did your school react to the horrific events in CT?

[Anonymous]

At a daycare (not in DC area) we received this wholly emotionless letter that did not even address the events of the day and was rather insensitive (IMHO):

Dear Parents: Yesterday and today we had the rewiring of the security doors completed. We are updating you that the security doors to the front of the school are now locked at all times. Until the swipe cards are issued, please ring the buzzer on the first floor to gain access to the school. The person at the front desk will assist you.

We are finalizing each swipe card and assigning them to the families. Parents will be issued a swipe card early next week which will provide you access to the building on the first floor and second floor, by the gym. The doors are in the locked position at all times.

The second floor camera is still being worked on however the door will remain in the locked position at all times. That being said, if you need access to the second floor prior to receiving your swipe card, you can stop by the front desk to gain access to the second floor.


The email was received at 2:30pm on Friday. Ugh, just another disappointment for which I am shelling out $20k a year. Their emails correspondence is usually like this, and makes me wonder if it was written by a monkey. Ahhh, next year we go to elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have always thought that elementary schools are sitting ducks for these kinds of crazy people. The schools are full of children with very few adult men around. I think that all schools (private also) should have a rule that a police cruiser is within a 1 minute response from the building. That way, they can be doing other things in the neighborhood, but when called, they can get there quickly.

You can't do that. There aren't enough police to be that close to all schools at all times. They can hire private security instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You still sound hysterical.

This is a difficult quorum. I ask (and am sure others agree) that you stop the dissension? For the victims sake, please?

[Anonymous]

Well, I'm the one who hadn't gotten anything from our HOS and was disappointed. The HOS just sent an amazing email about how all the kids were happy and things seemed "normal." Kids were chatting about their holiday plans like a typical day. The teachers had been instructed on how to handle questions and the HOS provided the procedure the school planned to follow if questions came up. The HOS also said they were meeting with a school security professional to review current procedures and get any recommendations for changes or additions.

For me, with a kindergartner, it was the emotional aspect of kids' questions and possible fears I was mostly concerned about. And it sounds like the school has an appropriate plan in place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At a daycare (not in DC area) we received this wholly emotionless letter that did not even address the events of the day and was rather insensitive (IMHO):

Dear Parents: Yesterday and today we had the rewiring of the security doors completed. We are updating you that the security doors to the front of the school are now locked at all times. Until the swipe cards are issued, please ring the buzzer on the first floor to gain access to the school. The person at the front desk will assist you.

We are finalizing each swipe card and assigning them to the families. Parents will be issued a swipe card early next week which will provide you access to the building on the first floor and second floor, by the gym. The doors are in the locked position at all times.

The second floor camera is still being worked on however the door will remain in the locked position at all times. That being said, if you need access to the second floor prior to receiving your swipe card, you can stop by the front desk to gain access to the second floor.


The email was received at 2:30pm on Friday. Ugh, just another disappointment for which I am shelling out $20k a year. Their emails correspondence is usually like this, and makes me wonder if it was written by a monkey. Ahhh, next year we go to elementary school.

But some people wanted the details on security, as the prior posts show. I guess no school will satisfy everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You still sound hysterical.

This is a difficult quorum. I ask (and am sure others agree) that you stop the dissension? For the victims sake, please?

Gosh, you are invoking the victims' in a flame war with another poster? I find your response insensitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I ask because DCs are in two schools. Received an email with a heartfelt letter from the head of school at one school with a link to info about how to talk to children, and a promise to update parents soon on all of the school's safety procedures. From the other, no email, nothing in parent section on website. Just curious how other schools responded or if they did.

I think my DD goes to school with your DC. The promised update email on the safety procedures was sent by the head of school a couple of hours ago.

Ditto. Our Head of School's messages to parents were exemplary, empathic and full of helpful information. So greatly appreciated.

Which school?

We received same. Norwood.