Dear Parents/Guardians:
I hope you and your children are enjoying the summer break. I am looking forward to the start of the 2022-2023 school year.
As you may know, Governor Mike DeWine recently signed into law Ohio Substitute House Bill 99, which permits armed teachers and other adults to be inside Ohio schools with reduced training. I have been advised that notwithstanding House Bill 99, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati policy remains the same - teachers at St. Veronica School will not be armed with weapons. Click HERE for a copy of the Archdiocese’s Policy Prohibiting Weapons in the Workplace for your information.
Please know that St. Veronica School already has important safety protocols in place, including the following:
● In coordination with local law enforcement, we are required to review, complete, and submit a safety plan for our school that must be approved annually by the Ohio Department of Education. We complete required school safety drills throughout the year. All of Ohio’s K-12 schools use this framework.
● The following safety measures/equipment have already been put in place for St. Veronica School. They include:
o Direct contact with school resource officer
o Security cameras on the interior and exterior of the school building
o Dual entry doors to the school office
o Securely locked doors at all entrances of the school building
o Additional locked entry doors from the office to the rest of the building
o Emergency signal button on the school office
o 2-way radios for all staff on campus
We are also exploring grant opportunities through the State of Ohio that could provide funding for additional security to enhance what is already in place, such as: the employment of trained security professionals (as specified in our policy), security cameras, outdoor lighting, fortified school entrances, and keyless entry systems, etc.. We also understand there will be grant opportunities through the State of Ohio to increase mental health resources in our school, which we intend to explore.
The safety of our students, teachers, and staff is our number one priority. We will continue our work to provide a safe educational environment for all. Thank you for entrusting your children to our care and for choosing Catholic education.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Woodall
Principal
