Special Edition Bedwell Friday Folder   December 17, 2012 Dear Bedwell Parents,  I know you feel, as do I, that there are no words to describe our feelings in the wake of the tragedy in Connecticut. As your principal, I spent the weekend thinking about the safety of the children and staff members in our school community. Please know that all of the district's school safety and security plans were completely updated at the start of the school year following the new State Department of Education guidelines. The revised plans were done in conjunction with local, county, and state law enforcement agencies. In addition, all administrators have been trained to implement these procedures, and student safety and security drills are conducted each month in each of our schools. In fact, Bedwell's most recent Lockdown Drill was conducted this past Wednesday, December 12th. Additionally, our district's school emergency response teams from each building complete ongoing training with local law enforcement. Under the leadership of our superintendent, meetings with local law enforcement officials, district administrators, and the Board of Education will be held to discuss additional security enhancements. Please know that your child is in a safe school environment with staff members who consider your child's safety of the highest priority. I would like to take this opportunity to review some security guidelines for Bedwell: * All school doors will remain locked before, during and after the school day. * Students arriving for Before Care and/or before school activities will be let into the cafeteria by a Before Care staff member via the cafeteria door closest to the front driveway. * Students arriving via the Car Rider Line may be dropped off at the back of the building between 8:35-8:50 AM when teachers are on Car Rider Duty and the back doors are being monitored. Students are never to be dropped off without a staff members present. If you pull up to the Car Rider Line before 8:35 or after 8:50 when no staff members are present, do not let your child out of the car. Parents must drive to the front of the building and bring the students to the main office to sign in. * All visitors arriving during the school day must be buzzed in and sign in at the main office. * Parents arriving after school hours to pick up students from after school activities such as Daisy meetings should communicate with the activity leader as to pick up locations and times. As always, I will continue to do my best to honor all members of our school community. If you have any information you would like share regarding your child's response to the recent events or questions regarding our handling of the matter in school, please do not hesitate contact me. Sincerely,  Amy G. Phelan Principal