Couple of things regarding school security on my mind today.
First, perhaps you caught wind of the random angry armed gunman (probably no such thing as an unarmed gunman, is there) who tried to attack his neighborhood elementary school with a home-modified fully automatic assault rifle earlier in the week. His attack on the California school was thwarted by quick thinking school personnel who ordered the school into lockdown immediately upon hearing initial reports of gunfire in the area, during their before-school morning intake activities (imagine the chaos). The school was apparently so well practiced and prepared to react in this regard that the gunman was left outside the building, with his truck crashed on the curb. He never got inside the school. Therefore none of the people inside the school were hurt. Sadly, several others in the adjacent neighborhood were injured and five people (including the shooter's wife) were killed before he ever got near the school. But the school and everyone inside was saved because they all knew what to do.
The random angry armed gunman was later killed by local police.
It remains as unlikely as ever that we will ever need to enact our own lockdown protocols for such a reason. Nevertheless, we're going to continue to drill and be as prepared as we can be. Thanks for carrying out all of our drills (fire and lockdown) faithfully. And for not grumbling (too much) when we interrupt your teaching time to do so.
Security Breach
On that same note, we were the victims of an unauthorized trespass in our building during the early part of the school day on Wednesday this week. And, while some of the (possibly intimate) details of the episode almost sound comical in hindsight, this is actually a very concerning turn of events and reveals a distinct vulnerability in our overall security setup here at Marshall.
Based on the statement given to the police by the staff member who encountered the two trespassers, we've concluded that they were possibly students from Flagstaff High School and that they accessed our campus prior to, or just after, the start of the school day by walking through the unsecured gate between our campuses and across the playground to the school, probably while the school yard was filled with students, parents, and teachers alike. They most likely accessed our building surreptitiously between 8:20 when the exterior doors are first opened to allow students on to the playground prior to the first morning bell, and 9:00 (around the time they were first encountered) through an open door, either one that had been opened intentionally to allow students onto and off the playground, or one that had been improperly left propped open with a rock following the 8:40 bell (a recurrent problem of late). When they were confronted by Marshall staff they fled our campus in the direction of Flagstaff High School. Flagstaff Police were notified immediately and a report was taken, as were photos of some vandalism that occurred in one of our adult restrooms. No one matching the description of the two trespassers was located by the police.
It has come to light after the fact that two individuals fitting the description of our trespassers have been observed on our playground in recent days prior to Wednesday.
This should, of course, never happen. But it did. And I'm uncertain that we're going to be able to ensure that it won't again without all of us being ever more vigilant about recognizing and confronting anyone who appears to be on our campus unauthorized. We don't sign-in and badge our morning visitors during drop-off, nor do we do so with those who arrive after 3:00 PM to pick up kids. There are just too many people here during intake and dismissal for the front office staff to be ever able to safely vet every single individual.
Nevertheless, I think our entire professional community can (and must) be even more attentive and aware than we have been of who's in the halls and on the playground and what they might be up to during both of these chaotic times of day. Now more than ever, we need to be in the business of ensuring that everyone's as safe as can be at Marshall, no matter what time of day it is. Goes back to that if you see something, say something ideal. If you're not comfortable making contact with someone you don't know who's not wearing a visitor badge, someone who's set off your spidey-sense, give me a call on my cell (you get more points for ranking me towards the top of your default favorites list) and I'll be right there, quick as I can be, if I'm at all able. Or, in the event I'm not around, team up with another adult coworker and approach the individual together. I do this all the time. So you trust me when say this: if they're here for a legit purpose you won't offend them by asking, "Can I help you find who/what you're looking for?" On the other hand, you'll probably scare them off, no fuss no muss, if they're not on our campus for a valid reason.
TL;DR: Thanks for your vigilance and attention to your surroundings and the safety and well being of our entire community whenever you're on duty or find yourself in the halls or in the process of transitioning your students from the inside to the outside the building.
United Way
It's that time of the year, once again. The annual FUSD United Way campaign has begun. I hope you will choose to participate. I've put some information in the lounge on the bulletin board behind the new copier. Superintendent Penca wrote to you earlier in the week in this regard as well.
Dear FUSD Colleagues,
This month the Flagstaff Unified School District has kicked-off its annual fundraising campaign for the United Way of Northern Arizona. Please consider contributing to this campaign to aid our students and their families who benefit from the programs and services supported by United Way. With the support of the United Way of Northern Arizona and community partners, FUSD is proud to again offer KinderCamp in Summer 2018 to help our young students be ready to learn when they enter school in the Fall. As a former kindergarten teacher, I understand the differences in students’ academic and social performance that are apparent before they begin their journey of K-12 education and am excited our district is able to offer this early intervention program. You can learn more about the KinderCamp Campaign and the United Way of Northern Arizona’s celebration of 50 years of support in Flagstaff by viewing this video: https://nazunitedway.org/kindercamp-50-50-drive/
Options for donating to the United Way of Northern Arizona, such as payroll deductions, are available at: https://nazunitedway.org/workplace-pledge/ If you prefer a paper donation form, please check with your school or workplace office, or you may contact Sylvia Johnson or Karin Eberhard. Any amount you are able to give is much appreciated.
Thanks for all you do to support our FUSD students and families.
Calendar
There will be no Blue Note on Tuesday 21 Nov.
- Wednesday 22 Nov
- NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Holiday
- Thursday 23 Nov
- NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Holiday
- Friday 24 Nov
- NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Holiday
- Wednesday 29 Nov
- Payday!
- 5th grade Mount Elden Middle School visit, 11:00-1:50
- Thursday 30 Nov
- Faculty meeting in the Library, CANCELED
- SEI Family Craft Night, 5:30-7:00
- Friday 01 Dec
- Tax Credit Campaign 2017 begins
- STEAM Council meeting in the Lab, 12:45
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