Briarcliff P.O. Brings 'Extra Security' to Todd

In light of today's tragic shooting in Newtown, CT, where more than two dozen people—including 18 children—have reportedly died, the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District has been taking measures to ensure student safety.

"We feel this was an isolated incident, but we certainly want to be cautious," Superintendent Neal Miller told Patch.

Year-round, "We have really good security. We have security monitors in all the schools," he stated. "All school entrances are either locked or have a security person there."

Today, a Briarcliff Manor Police officer was also brought onto the Todd Elementary School campus for additional security. The officer will be present throughout the afternoon.

"This kind of a horrific thing makes you so uneasy that we wanted to bring a little extra security with the police force. It was very gracious of the Briarcliff Manor Police Department to provide," he said.

Additionally, the district's faculty and staff "have emergency teams that meet" to go over emergency response tactics.

"This is the kind of thing they work on," Miller said. "You hope it never happens, but if it does, people are prepared to do the things that are necessary in terms of a lockdown and things like that."

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For Further Reading:

Pleasantville Superintendent: 'Student Safety is Paramount'

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Superintendent Neal Miller also released a statement to the community this evening—read it in full here:

Dear Families and Community Members,

We were all shocked and saddened to hear the horrific news regarding today’s tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut; our thoughts and prayers go out to the Newtown community. In addition to educating students, our top priority is ensuring that they are growing and learning in a safe and secure environment. The emotional and physical wellbeing of our students is our highest priority.

Crisis teams will be meeting Monday morning to discuss how to best support our teachers in their response to any potential questions that may arise. Please take the time to help your children appropriately process any information they may have heard. It is suggested that parents limit children’s access to news media and details of the tragedy. Excessive and repeated exposure to this traumatic information can cause increased anxiety among children. Below is a link to find tips and suggestions on how to help your child to deal with these difficult events.

The link is: http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/talkingviolence.pdf

As always, our counseling staff is available to provide support for your child, if needed.

Please be advised that our school administrators, principals, school psychologists,

social workers and teachers are here to assist you and your child. You can reach any of them by calling the main office in your child’s school.

Neal S. Miller
Superintendent of Schools
Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District