In the wake of a school shooting in Santa Clarita that left two students dead, Los Alamitos Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Andrew Pulver issued a statement to the greater district family to reassure them “our top priority is and always will be the safety of students.”
Pulver issued and distributed the statement Friday.
“As you know, there was another school shooting yesterday at Saugus High School. We grieve with the families and friends of those whose lives were taken and injured,” he began. He continued that “I am sure you all will join me in expressing our admiration and gratitude to the police officers and first responders who intervened and helped the school community.”
In the letter, Pulver said school district officials will “continue to strategize with our law enforcement partners to ensure we are taking any and all steps to keep our campuses safe.”
He said that in California, every public school is required by law to update their Comprehensive Safe School Plans with detailed responses to various scenarios.
“We have several District Administrators dedicated to overseeing and providing support to all of our school sites to promote and ensure both the physical safety and mental health of all students,” said Pulver.
Further, he said, “we are also extremely fortunate to work closely with the Los Alamitos Police Department, the Seal Beach Police Department, and the Orange County Sheriff, who have helped us develop our plans and collaborate frequently on all matters of school safety.”
In addition, the LAUSD Superintended informed the parents that Los Alamitos High School has a dedicated School Resource Officer staffed by the Los Alamitos Police Department who is present on campus and enhances our campus safety.
In addition, he said, every staff member has received comprehensive safety training that includes explicit measures for how to respond during a violent intruder threat and we continue to offer these trainings each year.
According to Pulver, “our mental health and counseling staff intervene on behalf of students and provide support, counseling and services to students in need.”
“I want to thank each of you for all you do to support these efforts. If you and/or your student would like any additional support, please contact your site principal,” Pulver concluded.
Pulver signed the note “on behalf of the Board of Education, Diana Hill, Dave Boyer, Meg Cutuli, Marlys Davidson and Karen Russell, I know you join us in sending our condolences to all of those effected by this national tragedy.”