Schools

District 58 to Host School Safety Forum Wednesday Night

A forum will be held at 7 p.m. at Village Hall to discuss extra security measures implemented after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Downers Grove Grade School District 58 will hold a public meeting Wednesday night to discuss the security measures implemented after the school shooting in Newtown, CT.

The district will partner with Downers Grove police and fire departments for the presentation, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 801 Burlington Ave.

"Presenters will share an overview of the numerous safety and security measures in place in District 58 schools, as well as interagency partnerships and our future considerations," said Jennie Waldorf, communications director for District 58.

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Opportunities for feedback will be provided, Waldorf said.

The meeting was prompted by the Dec. 14 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which killed 20 children and six adults.

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Following the tragedy, District 58 officials were contacted by a number of parents concerned about school safety procedures. As a result, District 58 Superintendent Kari Cremascoli issued several statements outlining the district's safety procedures, and announced that the front doors to all school facilities would remain locked during student attendance hours.

The district has also installed doorbell systems at the front entrance of each school that ring the office to alert staff of a visitor, and will be considering more sophisticated buzzer systems moving forward.

"While we know that there is no plan that can totally prevent a random act of senseless violence like that which occurred in Connecticut on Friday, we believe this added security will offer an additional sense of safety and security for our students, staff and parents," Cremascoli said in an email.

District 58 currently has school safety plans in place that are reviewed and revised annually by its Emergency Management Plan Committee and local law enforcement officials, Cremascoli said. 

"These plans are regularly practiced by faculty and staff, and will continue to be a critical piece of our district's safety and security measures," she said.

Related Stories:

  • Worry and Fear Grips Schools and Parents in Wake of Newtown Shooting and Local Threats
  • Downers Grove Schools Lock Doors in Wake of Newtown Shooting
  • Newtown Elementary School Shooting: How to Talk To Your Kids About It
  • Newtown School Shootings: Downers Grove Districts React

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