December 17, 2012

Stupid people

Good evening. This is Ellen Solek, Superintendent of the Bristol Public Schools. It is Sunday December 16th.

This evening at approximately 5:00 PM, Police Chief Tom Grimaldi was notified of an on-line threat against a school issued by a Bristol student. The student is now in police custody. Again,the student is in and will remain in police custody.

All Bristol Schools have thoroughly reviewed and implemented a full range of existing school safety and security protocols. In addition to these existing protocols, additional police coverage and professional supervision will be in place at at our schools.

Parents with concerns about their children should contact their school administrator on Monday morning.

Thank you. Ellen Solek

December 17, 2012

School in CT preparing for Monday

A message from SOUTH SIDE SCHOOL
Dear South Side Community,
 
I'm sure that like me, you had a difficult time this weekend keeping your mind off of Friday's horrific tragedy. I would also bet that you too gave your kids a few extra hugs and a bit more of your time than usual. Certainly, this was a very unwelcome reminder about how fragile life is.
 
Please know that the well-being of South Side students remains my #1 objective. I am confident about our recently revised security measures; nevertheless, I am meeting with my staff first thing Monday morning to review them.
 
I also want you to know that the faculty will not be discussing Friday's events any more than necessary in order to allay the fears that may be expressed by particular children. It is my firm belief that the best way to get past this difficult time is to return to normal as soon as possible. The only school-wide reference to the tragedy will be a moment of silence that the entire district will observe at 10:00 a.m.
 
Lastly, I believe that tomorrow and the next several weeks will be the safest time in our school's history due to everyone's heightened awareness and vigilance about security. For that reason, I implore you to send your child/children to school as though it were any other Monday. I feel that there is a great risk of promoting unnecessary and potentially lingering anxiety by allowing students to stay home if they are fearful. Our staff will be watchful for any students who show signs of concern and we are prepared to address such difficulties in a caring a professional manner. Of course, we will contact parents if that happens.
 
As we continue to struggle privately trying to make sense out of such a heinous act, I believe that something good can in fact come from it: a commitment by all of us to be kinder to one another and to be even more demonstrative of our love for our children.
 
I wish you and your family peaceful and love-filled holidays.
 
Sincerely,


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