Community Members,
Northwestern’s buildings remain secured during the school day. What we have in place has not changed dramatically, but has become more detailed and responses more rehearsed.
We pray that no such cowardly and inhumane
violent acts such as what has occurred in Florida toward children occurs in our
community.
We also pray that we have the strength of
relationships and awareness to recognize, intercede, and support individual students
in crisis so we can stop any potential self-harm.
As far as school building security, we have
layers of security that include:
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Locked doors and windows.
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Many security Cameras outside our buildings as
well as inside our buildings.
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Security cameras at the main entrance linked to a
buzzer system whereby the doors are remote unlocked to allow access.
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Name tags and processes for visitors.
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Alice Training. Awareness and training are
vitally important.
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Regular armed intruder drills.
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More comprehensive building and district safety
plans that are updated annually.
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Each building has a crisis team in place for
students in crisis.
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Wayne County Sheriff Deputies regularly patrol
around the school campus and stop in at varied times.
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We have also approved specific and trained law
enforcement officers to carry concealed and unconcealed weapons on campus and
inside buildings. Only board members and administrators are in the know
of whom these individuals are. Their identities are kept under wraps for
obvious reasons.
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Obviously on duty law enforcement officers can
also carry their weapons.
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Since the Florida shooting area law enforcement
has stepped-up their school presence.
As always, the very best deterrent in many
situations is forging and maintaining strong relationships and communications with
staff, students, and parents; addressing mental health and behavioral issues,
dealing with any bullying behavior immediately, as well as providing additional
counseling supports for students and families as provided with existing staff,
Catholic Charities, ANAZAO, families, and local clergy. Northwestern is blessed with a strong culture
of faith in a very student-centered, nurturing environment. I appreciate the awareness and relationships we have of individual students and their needs – through our guidance counselors, administrators, staff-members, and community-wide.
Jeffrey N. Layton
Superintendent
Northwestern Local Schools
Office 419-846-3151
Cell 330-317-5175
Husky Proud!