April 21, 2014
Dear Amphitheater Parents and Staff:
     We share a common interest that is certainly paramount to any other when it comes to the education of our children and students: their safety. Statistics tell us that schools that, despite the tragedies that have occurred and that have received great (and deserved) media attention, schools still remain among the safe environments for children. Nonetheless, those tragedies which have occurred are stark reminders of the never-ending responsibility we share in doing everything possible to protect students from all forms of potential threat to their safety - however rare and remote such potential threats may be.
     In pursuit of that ongoing and paramount responsibility, the Amphitheater School District is partnering with local law enforcement agencies over the course of the next year or so to implement "Active Shooter" Training for all district staff. This training, which has already begun, has a straightforward, perhaps even shocking title. It also has a straightforward approach - training school staff on how to respond for the protection of students and staff in the event of a terrible school emergency like those we have heard of occurring elsewhere. This training is provided by qualified law enforcement personnel who are informed about actual incidents and the best strategies for response.
     As this training comes to your school site(s), you may hear about it. Please know that this training is only being undertaken as part of our belief that we must be aware of best practices and strategies for assuring school safety. There is no known threat of any kind to our schools.
     I also want to mention that, in the coming months and continuing through next school year, the Active Shooter Training will be just one of our efforts in working to make the safety of our students a consistent focus of our mission, and I will be bringing you additional information about some of our other efforts in this regard.
Thank you for your support of our schools and, in particular, your support of a safe school environment. Please also join me in thanking our local law enforcement agencies (the Tucson Police Department, the Pima County Sheriff's Office, and the Oro Valley Police Department) for their support of school and public safety through this important program.

Sincerely,
Patrick Nelson
Superintendent
Amphitheater School District
Tucson, Arizona 85705
520.696.5205

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