In wake of Connecticut shootings, SD73 reviews security protocol
The Kamloops-Thompson school district is reviewing its security protocols in the wake of last week’s mass shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut.
Superintendent Terry Sullivan has told all schools to lock all but the main doors during the day.
“We’ve always had a policy of having all visitors sign in at the main office,” he said, noting that was sometimes tough to enforce, especially at some of the larger high schools.
“So, not all the doors are locked, but the main doors are the only ones that will remain open during the day.”
On Friday, Dec. 14, 27 people were killed in Newtown, Conn. Of those, 20 were young students at Sandy Hook Elementary.
The order to lock up Kamloops-area schools came after Sullivan issued two statements to parents — one by phone, the other in the form of a letter sent home with students — about the shooting rampage.
The statements, delivered the day of the shooting, was intended to let parents know school staff members are meeting to help develop a strategy to avoid any potential emotional trauma in students.
To that end, Sullivan said, he encouraged parents to “protect children from disturbing media reports” about the shooting.
He said he received multiple phone calls from parents after the statements, thanking him for re-assuring them.
Sullivan said the security review will continue.
“We’re looking at how we can make our schools more secure.”
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