A note regarding district safety and security from the WVCSD Superintendent

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A note regarding district safety and security from the WVCSD Superintendent

February 15, 2018

A note regarding district safety and security from WVCSD Superintendent, Dr. David Leach:

Dear Warwick School Community,

In light of the recent tragic shooting at the Parkland, Florida high school, I want to reassure parents that safety is our District’s top priority.

I continue to strongly encourage all school staff, students, parents and community members to promptly report potentially dangerous activity to the district and local Police Department.

As always, “if you see something, say something.”

Incidents of violence at school are often not impulsive acts, and most attackers do not make a direct threat immediately before they act. However, it often appears that before an act of violence, an attacker typically engages in behavior that causes concern, or seeks help.

If we become aware of behavior that appears as though someone may be on a path toward violence, we must respond quickly and contact the appropriate officials.

The role of our local law enforcement officers is critical, and the district now has two full-time Warwick Police Department officers in our schools.

However, the actions we take before Police intervention need to remain at the forefront.

In this time of shared grief, we keep the members of the Parkland School District and community in our thoughts.

While our district has made significant safety and security enhancements, we realize that now is not the time to become complacent. We will continue to make improvements to provide even greater levels of security in our schools.

Keeping our students safe is our most important job.

Dr. David Leach
Superintendent
Warwick Valley Central School District


Over the past few years, the Warwick Valley Central School District has made significant safety and security enhancements:

  • School Resource Officers (SROs) – the district now has two full-time Warwick Police officers, as well as seven security guards, on staff to increase the security level in our schools
  • Police School Visits – Police officers perform daily walk-throughs of all buildings, as well as daily, unannounced visits to each school
  • District Safety Plans – the district has developed a confidential district-wide School Safety Plan and Building-level Emergency Response Plans
  • School Greeters – greeters are located in each school building entrance during the school day to sign in guests, run “Raptor” security checks and unlock interior doors
  • Raptor Visitor Management System – visitor management technology performs background check for every visitor each time they enter, prints badge with visitor’s name, photo, date, time and destination, and can send alerts to administrators and law enforcement
  • Security Doors – upgrades have been made at Park Avenue, Middle School and the Dorothy C. Wilson Education Center (District Office) to include airlock double-door entryways and locked entrances with approved swipe card access
  • Lockdown & Emergency Drills – in addition to regularly scheduled fire drills, the district conducts four lockdown drills annually in each building. Emergency drills include school bus and tabletop crisis drills. The district coordinates with other area organizations: Orange County 911, Orange County Mutual Aid and local first responders
  • AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) – located within a four-minute range, in all buildings and on each school bus
  • Video Surveillance – The Warwick Police Department now has wireless access to district video cameras both in Police cars and at the Police Department
  • District-wide Communications Enhancements – the district has purchased 75 new digital radios used at district schools, as well as additional high-resolution cameras
  • Crisis Teams – District staff members trained in Crisis Management, with a team in each building, including psychologists, counselors, nurses, social workers, Guidance staff and members of the Orange County-level crisis intervention/stress management team, as needed
  • Professional Development – district faculty and staff continue to receive safety and security related training
  • Social Media – in collaboration with the Warwick Police Department, the district pays close attention to inappropriate student activity on social media
  • Safety Consultant – a safety consultant recently completed a district School Security and Vulnerability Assessment

Upcoming Safety and Security Projects

  • High School – this summer, the main entrance vestibule will be renovated to secure a single point of entry
  • Middle School – the main office will be relocated to provide the vestibule with an increased level of security, as part of approved Capital Project construction work
  • Active Shooter Drills – This spring, the Warwick Police Department is scheduled to conduct “active shooter” drills during non-school hours for officers to become more familiar with our school buildings

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