Message from the Superintendent

Greetings!  

With the recent sentencing of the Chardon High School shooter, questions of "Could this happen at my school?" are again at the forefront of everyone's mind.

Kenston's Safety and Security Committee under the leadership of Tom Gabram, KHS Associate Principal, has been working to implement safety initiatives and upgrade the security of the district.  During March, Kenston's staff was trained by the Bainbridge Police Department officers, in ALiCE, a program to address a crisis situation involving an active shooter in a lockdown situation.  ALiCE enhances traditional lockdown with more common sense and proactive responses that could help protect students and staff.  After Spring Break, students will receive age appropriate ALiCE training.

We are revising building emergency response plans with specific recommendations made by the Ohio Attorney General's Office.  Every staff member in the district will have an emergency flip chart that provides specific procedures regarding any emergency or crisis event.  

The district is grateful for the partnerships that we have with the Bainbridge Police and Fire Departments.  We appreciate the time and expertise of Lt. Bob Weir, Sgt. Kurt Dregers and Officer Frank Chickos in providing the ALiCE training for our staff and students.

We will continue to review our plans and refine and practice the plans necessary to keep our schools safe. Safety and security planning at Kenston will always be a "work in progress" in providing a safe place for our community.

Sincerely,

Robert A. Lee

During March, Kenston's staff was trained by the Bainbridge Police Department officers, in ALiCE, a program designed to address a crisis situation involving an active shooter in a lockdown situation.  ALiCE enhances traditional lockdown with more common sense and proactive responses that could help protect students and staff.  ALiCE is an acronym that stands for Alert, Lockdown, inform, Counter and Evacuate.  All staff members have been trained on barricade and other Counter tactics to distract and confuse a gunman when all else fails.    This program is being used nationwide and in over 120 school districts, colleges and universities in Ohio.

After spring break, students will receive ALiCE training with age appropriate presentations.

Funds from the Safe and Drug Free Schools grant were used to purchase 25 additional surveillance cameras placed  throughout the district to help support building security as well as student discipline and behavior in our buildings, grounds and school buses.

Beginning after Spring Break, we will have a safe school/bully tip line in place.   Students, parents and community members will be able to report information to the school district anonymously.   The information should be related to safety issues or bullying events that may have transpired between students.  Information will be processed and directed to the specific buildings to be addressed.              

The tip line can be accessed through the phone number or the website listed (888) 331-9168 or kenston.tipline.info.

Forty-Eight exterior door signs have now been installed above every main entrance or exit in the school district.   The signs are reflective and designed to help assist emergency responders to enter specific locations when addressing crisis events that may occur.    

Thank you Musical Arts Association

The Musical Arts Association of Kenston recently purchased a new seven foot concert grand piano to benefit the K-12 music programs at Kenston. KHS Varsity Jazz is pictured with the piano.