Tuesday, January 22, 2013
A forum will be held with Downers Grove police and fire officials Feb. 6 to discuss extra security measures implemented after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
The front doors to all school facilities in Downers Grove Grade School District 58 will remain locked as officials explore options for security upgrades in the coming months. Following the school shooting last month in Newtown, CT, which killed 20 children and six adults, District 58 immediately locked the front doors of each building and installed temporary doorbell systems that ring the school office to alert staff of a visitor. All front entrances were previously open and without a security guard. During the District 58 school board meeting Jan. 14, Superintendent Kari Cremascoli said the board has a list of security improvements to consider moving forward, including the installation of security cameras, intercom systems and a remote …
Saturday, January 12, 2013
A forum will be held with Downers Grove police and fire officials Feb. 6 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 next month 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. Feb 6 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. 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 …
Sunday, January 6, 2013
The Downers Grove school district joined the National PTA last month to create a winter wonderland for students in Newtown, CT.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Downers Grove Patch columnist Tony Cesare offers a parent's perspective on the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Downers Grove Patch columnist Tony Cesare offers a parent's perspective on the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary.
A few years ago, I volunteered to teach my daughter’s kindergarten class all about Seurat and pointillism during Art Awareness Month, one of the most rewarding mornings I’ve ever spent. I put more time and effort into that presentation than I ever have any creative pitch I’ve ever been involved in professionally. Marketing wonks are easy to impress, just pepper your narrative with a lot of jargon (“So the ROI on this activation ideation will be both integrated and experiential…”) and they’ll believe you’re the smartest guy in the room. Trust me, it works. But jargon has no hold on a room full of hyperactive 5-year-olds; they can see right through that crap. You better be on your game with this crowd because I promise you, these kids have a…
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." ~ George Santayana
The following column was written by Dawn Aulet, editor of Channahon-Minooka Patch and co-editor of Joliet Patch. I was listening to National Public Radio Monday afternoon when they aired the story of Noah Pozner, the youngest victim in the Sandy Hook shooting. Noah was a twin and the story highlighted how he and his twin sister were inseparable and detailed his personality as inquisitive and spirited. At the end of the story, the reporter said that the family of Noah said they chose to open the services to the public. They felt that would help the community and the family to heal. Additionally, Rabbi Shaul Praver, who officiated Monday's service, said Noah's mom wanted to share his story. They wanted people to know about him; they wanted …
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Grade School District 58 implemented extra security measures Monday following the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT.
As uneasy parents across the country sent their kids back to school Monday, those in Downers Grove did so with extra security measures in place. "As members of a tight-knit and supportive community, it has been difficult for all of us to come to terms with the situation and the grief that the families and community in Newtown, Connecticut, are experiencing," Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Superintendent Kari Cremascoli said in an email to parents. Twenty children and six adults were killed Friday morning in a shooting massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown—making it the second-deadliest school shooting in United States history. Following the tragedy, District 58 officials were contacted by a number of parents concerned…
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Local school officials give advice on how best to address high-profile acts of violence.
Patch editors in the area reached out to school districts to find any advice for speaking to children about Friday's shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. Editor's note: This article was written by Patch editor Joe O'Donnell. They sent along the following document, which was put together by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). High profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children who may feel in danger or worry that their friends or loved-ones are at risk. They will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Parents and school personnel can help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and talking with them about their …
DFL56
1:04 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Locking doors and checking IDs and doing drills (students and first responders) is all pretty basic and should certainly be done. It could help slow down an attack or slightly discourage one. But in the end doesn't really reduce the chances of horrific violence very much. Duly noted that statistically speaking, the chances of being the kid in such a classroom that gets shot up is pretty small. … more ›