Dear Symmes Elementary Families,
We wanted to update you on changes that are being required from the state (HB 178) regarding school safety drills. One major change is the requirement to conduct 3 school safety drills a year. This requires the school district to simulate at least 1 full scale evacuation drill. We will be conducting this drill on Thursday, Oct. 1st at 9:30 am and will be evacuating the entire building with our local police present. The other two drills can be simulated and discussed within the school building using the traditional lock down process that we have in place. In our building we are required to conduct 6 fire drills through out the year and the same number of tornado drills during the specific months in the spring, as in the past.
We wanted to bring this information to your attention as we begin to implement this new procedure and practice these drills more frequently. It is always our intent to make sure we are as prepared as possible for a crisis to occur and keep our students safe. Teachers will be talking with children about these drills with an effort to balance the necessity and importance of keeping our young students safe without frightening them. We appreciate your assistance in talking with your student(s) about the importance of these drills and to have follow up conversations at home. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Anne Van Kirk, Principal
Jessica Ralston, Assistant Principal
