Dear Families,
The safety and security of our students and staff are my number one priority as the Superintendent of Belfast Central School. Like most schools in the state and nation, BCS is looking at areas of safety and security after the tragic incident in Parkland, Florida. I truly believe that open communication among all stakeholders in the community is critical to address this area of education. To that extent, I want to update you about steps being taken at BCS.
Current and Future Safety and Security Measures
Below is a list of current and future action steps being implemented to enhance the safety and security of our students and staff.
Current Measures
• Sent/ posted building entrance letter to all families and staff members
• Organizing grade level meetings with students to discuss safety, security and their concerns
• Walked through the building to ensure directions to enter the building are posted on every door
• Ordered 120 lockdown magnets for all interior doors in the building
• Contacted Armoured One about an active shooter training for staff
• Getting quotes from Armoured One to install glass film for all exterior doors (the film is bullet resistant, designed to slow down any shooter)
• Staff completing an active shooter on-line course provided by Utica National Insurance
• Reviewing safety plans with first responders (Allegany County Emergency staff, NYS Troopers, Allegany County Sheriff's Department, Fire departments)
--Organize meeting with key personnel so everyone knows their roles in the event of an emergency
• Review, update emergency to-go bags
• Attending safety training/ meetings in the county
• Looking into an interior lock system for classrooms and offices
Future
• Move main entrance of the building to create a secure entrance
• Face-to-face active shooter training for all staff
• Install interior security
• Create a secure vestibule for all visitors to go through before entering the building
• Purchase ID checking software for all visitors to be screened upon entrance to the building
Communication
Even with a very secure building, the most critical element of school safety is communication. If you have a concern, please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail at wbutler@belf.wnyric.org or by phone at 585-365-9940. If it is after school hours, please use the Tipline on the Belfast web page (www.belfastcsd.org). Any information submitted via the Tipline goes directly to District administrators 24 hours a day.
There will be times when a student, parent, or community member shares information with the District and I am unable to tell the person the results of the investigation or what actions I have taken to address the concern. Just know, I take all concerns seriously and will take necessary actions to protect our students and staff at all times.
I Need Your Help
I am also writing to request your help. The world can be a very scary place. I need your help to support our students and use the recent tragic events to teach our students. We need to have conversations with students about not saying things that ‘they do not mean’ or ‘are just a joke’. Any statement that is or can be perceived as a threat will be treated as a serious matter, be investigated by school officials, and will be disciplined. We must work together to help students understand the severity of their words and actions.
This is also a good time to reflect on whether young students need to see, hear, or talk about all of the violence that has been distributed through the media. We want our students to understand that they need to be cautious and that not everyone in this world is looking out for their best interest. At the same time, be mindful that there are many children who are not able to understand the situations and are not able to process the images that are displayed across various media.
Belfast Central is a great place to work. We have great students, a wonderful staff, and an exceptionally supportive community. We must work together to ensure the safety and security of everyone in our community.
If you have any concerns, thoughts, or ideas to enhance the safety and security of our students and staff, please do not hesitate to contact me or stop by my office.
Sincerely,
Wendy Butler Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
