Local School Safety Amped Up After Sandy Hook Massacre

Less than 20 miles from the Putnam/Fairfield border, the heinous Sandy Hook massacre took the lives of 27 people plus the shooter last Friday.

The gunman, who police have identified as Adam Lanza, a 20-year-old Newtown resident, allegedly shot his way into the Sandy Hook Elementary School and barreled his way into two classrooms where he executed 20 students (six boys and 12 girls ranging from 6 to 7 years old) and six female adults (ranging in age from 20 to 56 years old). Lanza, who according to police killed his mother Nancy Lanza, 52, in their home earlier that morning, killed himself as he heard law enforcement approaching within the school.

On Friday many activities scheduled within Putnam County were cancelled or rescheduled out of respect to those who died that day. The Festival of Trees event hosted by the Studio Around the Corner in the Village of Brewster was cancelled Friday night and the Putnam Valley Parks and Recreation Department rescheduled the town’s tree lighting to this Friday night, Dec. 21.

County Executive MaryEllen Odell publicly offered her condolences. “It is tragedy in its most heart-wrenching form,” she said. “Our thoughts, hearts and prayers go out to all Newtown families as they struggle to comprehend what occurred – and why – and who now face a long, pain-filled journey toward healing. I know I speak for the entire Putnam community as I offer my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.”

As the small hamlet of Sandy Hook looks to heal, so does the rest of the nation. In Putnam County, school administrators are looking inward at their districts and are examining if every precaution is in place to make sure the same type of incident could be prevented if it happened within their school district.

In Lakeland School District, Dr. George Stone, issued a letter to parents trying to reassure them of how safe the schools within the district are. “Here in Lakeland we want to assure you that we consider safety our highest priority,” said Stone in the letter. “Please know that we regularly review our procedures with local authorities to ensure that our schools continue to meet the highest safety standards. We are all dedicated to maintaining a safe school environment.”

Similarly Dr. James Ryan, superintendent of the Carmel School District, issued a statement. “In the coming days, we will work to renew all safety and emergency response plans in each of our schools,” he said.

The Brewster School District will also be reviewing its policies. On Friday it took extra precautions to ensure the students’ safety at the high school and middle school.

“As an additional precaution, above our everyday safety routines, we brought all students in from recess and double-checked all exterior doors,” said a statement issued by Michelle Gosh the middle school principal and Joseph Castagnola, the principal at the high school. “Although there was no immediate threat to our students, we erred on the side of caution.”

The Mahopac School District, which had its high school go under lock down on Friday, Sept. 28, when two bullets were found in a bathroom (no gun was found), publicly issued much more of plan than the other districts.

On Sunday, Dec.16, Mahopac administrators, clinicians and Board of Education trustees met with representatives from the Town of Carmel Police Department and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office to discuss how the Mahopac schools should move forward.

“We want to assure you that the district’s emergency plans are well known and practiced by our administrators, faculty, staff and law enforcement agencies so that our students and employees are well versed in expectations under certain circumstances,” said Superintendent of Schools Thomas Manko.

Beginning on Monday, Dec. 17 the Carmel Police Department and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office will have police presence during the school day at Mahopac Falls Kindergarten Center, Austin Road Elementary School, Fulmar Road Elementary School and Lakeview Elementary School. It is currently scheduled to last for remainder of the week.

School resource officers (SROs) will continue to work in the high school and middle school.  These SROs are Putnam County Deputy Sheriffs.

Additionally, the district has reviewed the entry and exit points within each of its buildings with the law enforcement agencies and has decided to close all points, except those that are manned all-day with supervision. Those spots are:

1.)    High School: Front main and back main entrances.

2.)    Middle School: Main entrance all-day and science wing drop-off as usual.

3.)    Mahopac Falls Kindergarten Center: Main entrance only.

4.)    Austin Road Elementary School: Main entrance only.

5.)    Fulmar Road Elementary School: Main entrance only.

6.)    Lakeview Elementary School: Main entrance only with continued use of the usual bus drop-off and bus pick-up which is always manned during these times.

The Mahopac Board of Education’s Buildings and Grounds Committee is meeting on Monday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Mahopac Falls Kindergarten Center’s auditorium. Since the first item on the agenda was already “School Security and Safety” and in light of this recent tragedy, the meeting location has been changed from the District Office Conference Room to the Mahopac Falls auditorium in anticipation of a larger audience. During this meeting the committee will consider other measures that would enhance the district’s safety and security. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in the meeting.

The districts are also offering grief counseling and support to their students and in some instances the community at large.

On Monday, Putnam Valley administrators will host a support gathering at the Putnam Valley Elementary School at 9 a.m. that is open to any parent or community member who would like to attend. Dr. Barbara Nuzzi, superintendent of Putnam Valley Schools, the principal and assistant principal of PV Elementary School as well as clinical staff are expected to be in attendance.

Mahopac School District announced that it is starting its school day on Monday with a moment of silence at all of its schools.