Pearl River Schools Examine Security

Pearl River Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Morgano wrote a letter to parents outlining the steps the district took Monday in reaction to the .

"There is no greater concern for us as parents, educators and community members than the safety of our children," Morgano wrote. 

One significant change is the decision to lock the main doors into Pearl River Middle School and Evans Park, Franklin Avenue and Lincoln Avenue Elementary Schools through at least the end of this week.

Pearl River administrators also met with Orangetown Police Monday morning to review safety procedures. Orangetown Police Chief Kevin Nulty said that his department reached out to the schools in Orangetown to offer assistance Friday. According to Morgano, there will be an increased police presence on school grounds.

Each building in the district held staff meetings and there was a district-wide meeting of administrators, which focused on reviewing safety plans.

Many other Rockland County superintendents sent out similar letters Monday, including one by Nanuet's Mark McNeill. 

Morgano wrote that district staff tried to stay as close to normal routine for students as possible, dealing with questions as necessary. 

A copy of the full letter is attached to this report, including a list of suggestions for talking with children about violence. The full list of actions taken by the district Monday is as follows:

• A brief staff meeting was held in each school prior to student arrival this morning. 
• Central office administrators were present during student and staff arrival in the morning. 
• Main doors to the elementary and middle schools will be locked at least throughout the week. We ask for your 
• patience and cooperation if you are coming to the building during the school day. 
• A district-wide administration meeting was held to review each school building’s safety plans. 
• Several safety drills have already taken place since the start of the school year in every school. Additional drills 
• will take place in January and continue through the remainder of the school year. Building principals will send 
• more information regarding these drills when we return from winter break as appropriate. 
• District administrators met with Orangetown Police Department this morning to review school safety 
• procedures. They will be increasing their presence on our school properties. 
• Faculty meetings were held after school to debrief and review emergency procedures. 
• The district will be taking feedback from each of the buildings to determine what, if any, additional safety measures need to be put in place.