News from the Superintendent
A periodic update from Superintendent David Fleishman
Safety in the Newton Public Schools
Dear NPS Families,
Over the past 20 years, there have been highly publicized tragedies that have taken place in schools. While these events can feel overwhelming and scary, it is important for us as a district and as a community to acknowledge that they are rare and that schools remain among the safest places for children to be.
While none of us like to think about the possibility of emergency situations taking place in our schools, it is critical that we are well prepared for the unexpected. To that end, the Newton Public Schools has reviewed and updated its emergencies protocols to reflect the most current thinking in school safety. Administrators were trained in the new safety procedures at the end of the summer and all faculty and staff were trained during the early release day last Thursday. As we move into October, schools will be conducting safety drills with students. You will receive information from your principal about the timing and content of these drills.
Sincerely,
David Fleishman
Updates and Enhancements of Emergency Operations Plan
For the past 18 months, the Newton Public Schools safety team has worked in partnership with the Newton Fire Department, Newton Police Department, the Newton Teachers Association and the City of Newton to update our emergency operations plan. The team consulted with Preparedness LLC, a security and risk assessment firm, to review the existing emergency operations plan and update it to reflect current thinking on school safety.
The result is an updated, research-based emergency operations plan that provides guidance to administrators and staff for the most foreseeable types of emergencies. Importantly, the plan includes not only our current protocols for evacuation, shelter-in-place, and lockdown, but adds a specific “hostile event” response. This response incorporates best practices from the ALICE Protocol (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate), as well as learnings from analysis of real active shooter events. New tools, including online and hard copy handbooks as well as classroom posters (see below), have been developed to guide staff and students in the event of an emergency.
Drills and Practice
Communication
Definitions
Evacuation "Get out, stay out" - This response is used when there is a fire or other internal unsafe condition. Students and staff evacuate to a designated assembly area.
Shelter in Place "Stay inside, stay safe" - This response is used when there is an external security threat, severe weather, or an airborne hazard. It is also used when there is a medical emergency. Students and staff stay inside classrooms with little or no use of hallways or common areas. External doors may be locked based upon the specific situation. Instruction can continue.
Lockdown "Silent and invisible" - This response is used when there is an internal security threat. Students and staff are hidden and quiet in locked and darkened classrooms.
Hostile event response "Run, hide, fight" - This response is used when there is an active shooter or other act of violence in progress. Students and staff assess the situation and determine the best course of action. They may evacuate immediately or they may follow lockdown procedures described above. The situation is assessed continuously and staff/students may change course as events unfolds.
Resources
Newton Public Schools Emergency Procedures and Communication
https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/1164
Presentation to Newton School Committee on Updated Emergency Procedures
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KUCPa7L_deDBeTHr6RC4SmQocUI4NZJU/view?usp=sharing
https://www.alicetraining.com/our-program/alice-training/k12-education/age-appropriate/
Emergency Procedures Poster (Located in Every Classroom)
Contact Information
Email: npsnews@newton.k12.ma.us
Website: www.newton.k12.ma.us
Location: 100 Walnut St, Newton, MA, USA
Phone: (617) 559-6000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/newtonps
Twitter: @newton_ps