We are heartbroken by the tragic news from Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The senseless loss of innocent life is always devastating. That this happened at an elementary school hits us extra hard. Not only are we educators, but most of the teachers, staff, and administrators of the Ridgefield School District are ourselves, parents. Our hearts go out to all those grieving families and community members in the wake of such an unspeakable tragedy.
\r\nWe have heard from a few concerned parents and community members this week, so we want to take a moment to go over some of the district’s safety and security measures. \r\n
\r\nThe District maintains armed security officers on our intermediate, middle, and high school campuses. Our security officers are available to serve the needs of all district facilities. Additionally, we have extensive safety protocols, including conducting regular lockdown drills and a comprehensive reunification plan.
\r\nStaff and students receive school safety training. The District has partnered with the I Love U Guys Foundation and adopted the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), an all-hazards, evidence-based approach to school safety while incorporating Run, Hide, Fight principles that we refer to as Evade and Defend. Additionally, we use the Standard Reunification Method (SRM). Training extends well beyond this. For example, each year in early August, our principals attend a regional safety summit that focuses on school security and safety. Additionally, district leadership has partnered with local first responders (including police and fire) for tabletop training exercises on school safety and reunification in an emergency.
\r\nAs many of our families know, school safety and security have been an ongoing topic of discussion in Ridgefield. Evade and Defend was first introduced in Ridgefield in 2016. Parent information nights were held to support families. In 2018 and 2019, the District partnered with parents and local and regional agencies to host large-scale community school safety summits. In early 2020, the District’s board of directors hosted a workshop on school safety. Alissa Parker, the co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools, provided a keynote address, and Ridgefield Police Chief John Brooks and Clark/Cowlitz Fire & Rescue Chief John Nohr also spoke.
\r\nOf course, school safety and security can continuously improve, and it takes all of us to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and families. The District provides extensive social-emotional learning material to support the maturation and well-being of all students.
\r\nFor more information on campus safety, please visit https://www.ridgefieldsd.org/page/what-to-do-in-an-emergency. For additional information on mental wellness and social-emotional learning, please visit https://www.ridgefieldsd.org/page/social-emotional-learning.