Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members:

We offer our deepest sympathies to the Chardon students and families. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Please be assured that the safety and security of your child is one of our top priorities.

We have a safety plan in place, which is reviewed regularly with our police department. Each month, we hold Security Meetings with our police and fire departments to discuss any potential security topics in order to be as proactive as possible. In addition, our Security Staff has regularly scheduled trainings with various experts, including the Lyndhurst and South Euclid Police/Fire Departments. Safety plan and preparedness trainings are held with our staff periodically and our school conducts regular lockdown and fire drills, which have already been held and will continue. A communication system is in place and the information provided during a time of crisis will be determined by the police.

Thanks to two COPS Secure Our Schools grants, we have indoor and outdoor security camera coverage of all school buildings. This grant was provided to districts who demonstrate collaboration between the police/fire departments and the schools. There also is limited access to the school buildings through a designed entrance with a buzzer system.

Please know that it is our goal to create a safe, supportive school climate that provides school-wide behavioral expectations, positive interventions and supports, psychological and counseling services, and violence prevention programs. Please encourage your child to take responsibility for their part in maintaining a safe school environment by reporting potential problems to school officials and resisting peer pressure to act irresponsibly. Please also remember that we always welcome your comments, concerns or any information that might be helpful. In addition, we have an anonymous tip line to report unsafe, at-risk situations, Safe School Hotline, which can be reached at 1-800-4-1-VOICE    (1-800-418-6423) ext. 359.

If you have any concerns about the safety and security of your child, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,



James Costanza
Superintendent of Schools