Health & Fitness
School Safety & Security
Livingston is committed to providing a safe environment for students
After the school tragedy in Newtown, Conn., the natural reaction for most parents is, what are my children's schools doing to keep them safe. With our normal security plans in place, Livingston Public Schools are, and remain, a safe place for learning.
Over the weekend, Livingston administrators worked to make the return to school as calming and reassuring a time as it can be under the circumstances. Principals reviewed their safety protocols. Counselors prepared to watch the emotions of students and staff in the days ahead.
Livingston Public Schools is committed to providing a safe environment. We take our drills very seriously and, unfortunately, events like Sandy Hook remind us why we go to such lengths.
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We have developed a comprehensive plan that covers a wide variety of emergencies that serves as a guide to help staff and our public safety partners respond swiftly should a crisis occur in our schools. Town and state officials evaluate our monthly security drills. Our schools are equipped with security cameras and buzz-in systems.
Police officers are in our buildings for daily walk-throughs for general safety checks. We will continue to work with the Livingston Police and Fire Departments to make sure that our plans are as seamless and thorough as possible. (Learn more on the District’s website @ School Safety & Security).
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We encourage parents to update all their contact information. Should a school emergency occur, our Alert System would provide the most reliable information on any out-of-the ordinary school event. All our schools have numerous safety measures in place to provide a safe learning environment for our students.
On Monday, Livingston High School and the middle schools began the day with a moment of silence. Teachers do not plan to have any formal lessons about this event, but will respond to questions if the children raise them. The focus will be on reassuring the children that they are safe and allaying their fears.
High-profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children. As you consider your own child's needs, the District has posted guidelines that might be of assistance. (See Resources to Help Children Cope)
These include:
Family Resources for Helping Children Cope with Violence
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
10 Tips to Help Your Kids Deal with Violence
School Shootings: Helping Teens Cope, a Guide for Parents
The partnership between home and school is more important than ever at this time. We recognize that our students may experience a range of emotions or uncertainty because of this tragedy and will turn to the adults in their life for information, support and a sense of security.
To assist them, the school counselors in each of our schools will reassure all students that the adults in their lives are doing everything they can to make their school environment, home, and neighborhood safe for them. Our teachers and school counselors will monitor student's emotions and be available for any child who may have special needs throughout the week.
