May 18, 2018



TO:                Northwest ISD Parents and Caregivers
 
FROM:          Ryder Warren, Superintendent of Schools
 
SUBJECT:     Superintendent's Safety Update

 
As we go into the weekend, know that NISD is very aware of the school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas. Please keep Santa Fe High School's students, staff, families, and community members in your thoughts and prayers. Today's loss of life is another example of why we must all come together to make our schools as safe as we can.
 
I truly believe every community NISD serves has our children at heart. As the adults of NISD, we also know that it takes all of us to maintain a safe environment for our kids. This school district has committed itself to putting kids first and being your partner to assure student safety, and I appreciate your support in doing the same.
 
In light of today's event, I want to remind everyone of some things, which are the following:
  1. We will continue to work closely with our local government leaders and law enforcement agencies to sustain and build upon our School Resource Officer (SRO) program. We want these officers involved on our campuses and making positive impacts on our children. Also, as I shared in my last Facebook Live conversation, the district will continue to research and work on the possibility of supporting a stand-alone district police force.
     
  2. I cannot thank the registered voters of NISD enough for the approval of the last bond election in 2017. The bond package contains over $14 million in safety and security enhancements. This work has already begun, and the completion of the upgrades will be a priority for the next couple of years. These projects include improving the security of our school entrances, upgrading classroom doors with an intruder safety function, enhancing security systems, and more.
     
  3. In the aftermath of the Florida shooting, we started getting word of perceived threats against specific NISD campuses on social media. Know that every one of the assumed threats either turned out to be a hoax or a misunderstanding. The point I am trying to make is DO NOT believe everything you read on social media; DO NOT initiate or forward information regarding student safety that you do not know to be 100% true on social media; and if there is any information out there that concerns you about the safety of students or campuses, immediately report those concerns by telling a teacher, school or district administrator, police officer, or submitting an anonymous tip through the Crime Stoppers link on the district's website. As we have always done in the past, we will investigate every single report. And know that if there is any truth to perceived threats, you will hear that directly from me. We are not going to put students, staff, nor anyone else in unsafe environments. If there is a substantiated threat, you will know that from NISD.  
We all can agree that what happened today in Santa Fe is unacceptable. My prayer is that by working together and remaining vigilant, we can continue to maintain a safe place for kids to live and learn. If any students feel scared and/or concerned about this event in Santa Fe, please know that our school counselors will be ready to talk to them. We have also included a link to the National Association of School Psychologists that provides guidance for parents and caregivers to talk to children about these kinds of issues .
 
Thank you for your support of our children and NISD in general. We cannot thank you enough for the love and care our children are given.

 
Ryder Warren, Superintendent of Schools
Northwest Independent School District