Local district uses shooting to remind parents of safety measures

As news of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut spread Friday, several local school districts responded with condolences and messages on safety in local schools.

REPORT | 26 killed in Connecticut elementary school shooting

Among those was the Frederick County Public Schools district, which used the time to remind parents of safety measures already in progress.

Below is the list officials shared:

*All schools have emergency plans, train staff and hold regular safety drills.

*Schools have excellent relationships with local law enforcement and other agencies, and FCPS is constantly evaluating and updating our procedures.

*Sheriff deputies serve as resource officers in all of our high schools and feeder patterns.

*We have security cameras in all high and middle schools and 35 elementary schools.

*All schools have card key entrance systems.

*All employees wear ID badges, and our maintenance workers wear uniforms.

A key to keeping our schools safe is good communication. We encourage community members, students and staff to report suspicious activity or any concerns to the Safe Schools Tip Hotline: 1-877-636-6332, local law enforcement and school administrators and/or teachers as soon as possible.

The public may notice an increased presence of School Resource Officers at our elementary schools today.

This is to reassure our students that we take their safety seriously and work together with the community for their protection. There is no increased threat to any schools in Frederick County.

Helpful resources for talking with children about school safety and violence are online:
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/index.aspx

School counselors are also available to assist any parent, child or employee with concerns.