Dear Ray-Pec Community,
Our hearts are breaking over the devastating tragedy of Tuesday’s events at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Families should never have to receive news about their child’s death at the hands of a shooter in the school.
We have received several questions today about our safety measures in Ray-Pec. I want to address those questions in a special email, as I realize many of you may have the same questions. While we will not share all of the measures that we have taken to provide for a protective environment, we can share the following.
After the school shooting at Sandy Hook in 2012, the district joined with local law enforcement agencies to create a School Safety Task Force. This group includes the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Peculiar Police Department, Raymore Police Department, and Missouri Highway Patrol. The group meets regularly to discuss matters of safety and security in our schools.
We’ve invested resources to make these physical changes to our facilities:
- We’ve changed from keyed doors to a keyless entry system.
- We’ve upgraded our security surveillance system and installed additional security cameras inside and outside schools and facilities.
- We’ve completed major construction to reconfigure entry vestibules into each school. Visitors may enter the vestibule, but then must have an electronic key card or be buzzed in to enter the locked door.
- Once inside, visitors must submit identification to provide a rapid background check.
Our staff participates in an annual Active Shooter and Intruder Response Training, and our students participate in regular, grade-level appropriate training as well.
We have increased the number of armed School Resource Officers dedicated to serving our schools when classes are in session.
We’ve added an electronic layer of security to monitor documents and emails for potentially dangerous messages.
It is important to note, however, that school safety experts continually express that the most effective way to provide for a secure environment starts with all of us. We need to see our role as school safety providers. To that end, we encourage students, parents, staff, and community members - if you see or hear something, say something. Many times, the first signs of a violent act are noticed by those who are closest to the potential perpetrator of violence. If you are not sure who to call or tell, report it to the police or use Quick Tip to report the situation.
Lastly, if you need ideas for discussing tragic events with your children, here is a website link that may be helpful to you.
It pains me to even have to write a message like this to you, but I want to reassure you that we attempt to provide a protective environment for your child each and every day.
Thank you for entrusting your children to the Ray-Pec School District.
Mike
