Kittery K-8 PTA to Hold School Crisis Plan Forum

Editor's note: Welcome to "Across the River," which offers stories and news from Kittery, Maine. Each Thursday, Portsmouth Patch will present a story about this community along with a short list of upcoming events and happenings around town. All Portsmouth Patch stories about Kittery, Maine will also be posted in our new "Across the River" topic page that can be accessed by clicking on the News section of the tool bar any time.

************

Kittery parents will be able to learn more about the Kittery School District's crisis plan at a special forum on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at the Mitchell School that is being held by the Kitttery K-8 Parents and Teachers Association.

Bethany McEllin, co-chair of the Kittery PTA, said "we are having this forum so that our parents after the tragedy in Connecticut have some more information about what our schools are doing to maintain a safe and nurturing environment for our students."

She said parents will be able to discuss the crisis plan with school principals, guidance counselors, Kittery police officers and firefighters.

In the wake of the , McEllin said "parents can learn what systems we have in place for emergencies."

“Everyone has been very, very on board,” with this forum, she said.

McEllin said people will see that the school crisis plan has been updated and steps have already been taken to make the Kittery schools safer following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings that took place on Dec. 14.

“I do see a greater police presence when I am dropping off my children and picking them up,” she said.

McEllin said it is always a good idea to look at the school crisis plan and see what is needed without disrupting the learning environment at the schools. She is optimistic that families will be pleased with the school crisis plan.

“They just want to be in the know,” she said.

The forum is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Meetings:

Kittery Parks Commission, Kittery Town Hall, Thursday, Jan. 10, 5:30 p.m.

Kittery Planning Board, Kittery Town Hall, Thursday, Jan. 10, 6 p.m. 

Town Hall will be closed on Friday, Jan. 11.

Kittery Town Council, Kittery Town Hall, Monday, Jan. 14, 7 p.m.

Kittery School Committee, Kittery Town Hall, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 6:30 p.m.

Kittery Growth Management Committee, Kittery Town Hall, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 6 p.m.

Kittery K-8 Parents and Teachers Association, forum on school crisis plan, Wednesday, Jan. 16, The Mitchell School, 6:30 p.m.

Events

Go see "Pippin": Traip Dramatic Arts will perform the play "Pippin" at the Kittery Community Center at Frisbee Commons on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 11 and Jan. 12, at 7 p.m.

Want to contribute to "Across the River?" Kittery, Maine residents are free to contribute photos, news and any other items of interest they want to share directly to the site or they can sign up as bloggers by e-mailing robert.cook@portsmouth-nh.patch.com.

Interested in advertising on Patch? Contact Ad Manager Sharon Melanson sharon.melanson@patch.com 603-479-3650