Since the Newtown School tragedy and other incidents in districts across the country, the Cypress School District is working with local police and community members to strengthen safety plans district-wide at each school site.
Since the Newtown School tragedy and other incidents in districts across the country, the Cypress School District is working with local police and community members to strengthen safety plans district-wide at each school site.
At an April 18 board meeting, Cypress staff presented information to the Board of Trustees concerning steps to take to ensure the safety of each student and every staff member throughout the district.
Staff recently presented information emphasizing that safety is part of the district mission statement and how it is being accomplished through standardized protocols for security and crisis management along with creation of an effective, high quality comprehensive safe school plan.
“The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is our highest priority, and we will continue to do everything possible to protect our campuses from harm, working in tandem with our local law enforcement,” said Superintendent Beverly Hempstead.
Cypress School District administrative staff reviewed each school safety plan with input from school site councils. Additionally, a district-wide safety committee that meets 3 times a year provided input with representation from each school.
Routine and emergency procedures in place include drills for fire, lockdown, evacuation, earthquake, and “shelter in place.”
Additionally, the district has new radio walkie-talkies located at the district office, at each school and on every bus. They include a GPS that can track any school bus if necessary.
Radios are monitored in the Cypress Police Department watch commander’s office and have a channel going directly to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. In order to significantly improve undesirable “dead” spots during communication, the antennae and repeater are located next to the Cypress Police Department’s at the Los Alamitos Race Course. Staff can also use the School Messenger System to contact all parents both by phone and e-mail.
Other security protocols include the use of ID badges for all employees, maintenance of a secure perimeter around schools, visitor sign-in and badges, emergency drills, classroom door locking systems and the use of security cameras.
Law enforcement is also doing walk-throughs, with input from fire and emergency services personnel. District maintenance & operations team staff have input from the onsite preschool and childcare program staff as well as from an insurance/consulting firm.
Copies of the safety plans have been provided to the police departments in Cypress, La Palma, and Buena Park in an effort to make the best use of the resources available to them. The full Comprehensive School Safety Plan and PowerPoint presentation are both on the district website under “Schools” at www.cypsd.k12.ca.us.
