Hingham Schools Superintendent Addresses Connecticut School Shooting

In the aftermath of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT  on Friday that left 27 dead, Hingham Schools Superintendent Dorothy Galo said Hingham Public Schools has a state mandated crisis plan in place.

"We do practice evacuation and lock down drills at all levels," wrote Dr. Galo in an email to Patch. "Buildings all have locked doors during the day. Doors are open at beginning and end of the day for entry and dismissal." 

The schools also work closely with the Hingham Police Department, with Police Resource officers based at the high and middle schools.

Hingham Public Schools has a phone system called School Messenger that could be used for certain emergencies, wrote Galo. "All of our schools have parent list serves of e-mail addresses as well."

“This is an unbelievable tragedy that touches all of us, but particularly parents and the teachers  and support staff that work with our children each day,” wrote Gallo.

Tony Keady, principal of the East Elementary School sent an email to parents and guardians on Friday assuring that school's crisis plan will be reviewed as well as a tip sheet on how to talk to children about the tragedy.

"... we will be reviewing our current security procedures and emergency response plans in order to make every effort to provide a safe environment for our students," wrote Keady.