We all are saddened and dismayed at the tragic events that occurred in Connecticut.  As a parent and an educator, my first instinct is to look to ensuring the safety of our children.

Please remember that each of our schools do have safety plans in place to handle emergency situations. We work with public safety agencies to prepare for various types of emergencies and regularly practice safety procedures with students and staff.

Here is what is happening in our schools today:
• Limiting access to all schools and closely monitoring who comes in to schools.
• Increasing presence of school staff members in hallways and common areas during passing times, before and after school.
• Monitoring social media and other sources of rumor
• Continuing to collaborate with local law enforcement to maintain a unified effort to keep schools safe
• Reviewing all safety procedures with a goal to do everything possible to keep students and staff safe.

Thank you for sharing your concerns. We are aware there many rumors and there is a heightened sense of anxiety. Newberg-Dundee police and school personnel have spent hours dispelling the credibility of these rumors. It was rumored that students were arrested in connection to threats. Rumors also spread about on assembly on Friday. There have been no arrests. There is no assembly on Friday.

At this time, our students need school personnel to maintain a sense of calm through our schools and provide routine and reassurance that life can continue on as normal. We will continue to reflect within our district on our safety plans and procedures to ensure that we are doing all we can to protect the students and staff of our school district. Please join us in renewing our school community’s ongoing efforts to keep our children and our schools safe.

Sincerely,
Kym LeBlanc-Esparza
Superintendent