Bucks County school districts, police departments respond to mass shooting at Texas school
School districts and police departments throughout Bucks County have responded to Tuesday morning's mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas with statements of condolences, offers of counseling and stepped up police presence.
Officials have also tried to reassure parents and community members by sharing their own safety plans and protocols as a reminder that the threat of shootings and other dangers to a school community is never an afterthought.
On Tuesday, an 18-year-old man shot his grandmother in a town outside of San Antonio before driving to Robb Elementary School and killing 19 students and two teachers, law enforcement officials said. His motive and other details are still under investigation, and officials said the death toll could rise.
Schools around the nation reacted and police were outside of buildings in many districts as students and rattled parents arrived. Schools are finishing their academic years and some in Bucks County just have days or weeks left before summer break.
Here's how some Bucks districts and police departments have responded:
Live updates:Uvalde school shooting Tuesday updates: Gunman kills 19 children, 2 teachers in school shooting
Members of the Neshaminy School Board held a moment of silence for the victims of the Texas tragedy and their families before the board meeting Tuesday night.
On Wednesday, Superintendent Rob McGee sent an email, saying there were no words sufficient enough to speak to the Texas tragedy but he could say what measures Neshaminy has taken to try to keep everyone as safe as possible.
"We have controlled access to each of our schools," McGee said. "We have three sworn police officers dedicated to our schools along with many hallway personnel; we have a quality security camera system; we have well-practiced emergency procedures which are continuously refined; we are installing panic button systems in our schools; and we have an outstanding and professional staff.
"Yes, we can do more in the area of school security as tragedies like yesterday clearly remind us. That being said, please know we each play a very important role in the security of our schools; students, parents and staff alike."
Lower Southampton Police Chief Ted Krimmel said his department will have extra officers on patrol at the schools in the township through the end of Neshaminy School District’s school year. The department already has a school resource officer who goes between the schools.
— Neshaminy School District (@Neshaminy_SD) May 25, 2022
In a letter to families, New-Hope Solebury Superintendent Charles Lentz said the district recognizes that "these events can be deeply concerning, and in response, we are compelled to emphasize that our greatest priority" is ensuring the safety and well-being of our students.
"Our district regularly follows a series of safety protocols, including the use of security cameras and double-doors to monitor and limit access to school buildings, and utilizes the ALICE safety training and preparation system," read a portion of Lentz' email. "We also encourage use of Safe2Say, an anonymous platform to report students who may pose a threat to themselves or others. It is useful in times like these to revisit with your children the importance of reporting concerns when they learn of them so that measures can be taken to avoid such tragedies.
"Most importantly, we ask for your help in assuring your children that school is a safe place and that we have taken extensive measures to support their safety in our schools."
Several Bucks County school district have adopted ALICE — the acronym for the active shooter protocol Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate — the widely accepted step-by-step procedure students and staff can follow in an active-shooter situation.
The principles include locking down then barricade in a room and if faced with the shooter creating "noise, movement, distance and distraction with the intent of reducing the shooter’s ability to shoot accurately," and evacuating, if possible, from a danger zone.
More:Council Rock board adopts ALICE active shooter protocol
The Northampton Township Police department released a statement saying it will upgrade its present at area schools.
"Our thoughts and Prayers are with the families from Uvalde Texas and the staff at Robb Elementary School. In response to the school shooting in Uvalde Texas, we will have an increased presence and additional patrols at all of our schools," read a portion of the police statement. "While there are no known threats at our schools, the safety of our children is our highest priority and we will continue to monitor the situation and remain prepared."
Officials in the Council Rock School District, served by Northampton, confirmed the increased police presence while offering counseling and other outreach services to students and educators alike.
"On Tuesday, May 24, 2022, a Texas community suffered a horrific tragedy as a shooter entered an elementary school and killed many children and adults. This is a terrible event, which may cause many emotions including fear, anxiety, and anger," read a statement from Sue Elliott, the acting Superintendent of Schools. "Student and staff safety and wellness remains our top priority.
"We have partnered with our local authorities to have increased presence at our schools today, and our school counselors will also be available to meet with students and staff who may need to speak with someone as they process this tragic situation," Elliott added. "Additionally, the attached document from the National Association of School Psychologists provides some tips when talking with students about violence.
Council Rock and others have also provided an online resource to help parents and teachers talk to students about violence in schools.
"I extend my deepest sympathy as well as thoughts and prayers for comfort and healing to the families, friends, and community members in this Texas community," Elliott wrote.
Central Bucks School District shared resources with parents as well.
"We all work so hard to make our schools and classrooms places of safety, both physically and emotionally, and when something like this happens, it touches us differently … there is a profound sadness that is difficult to explain," Superintendent Abram M. Lucabaugh said in a message.
Tullytown Police, which cover schools in the Pennsbury District, were out at buildings Wednesday morning.
"In light of the tragic events in Texas, Tullytown Police were out at Walt Disney Elementary, St. Mike's and CSL schools this morning. Our officers randomly patrol the schools every day," the department said on its Facebook page.
"As educators, today's event is a tragic reminder of the tremendous responsibility we have to secure the safety and welfare of over 10,000 children in our fourteen schools in a rapidly changing world. This is a responsibility we take very seriously," said Pennsbury Superintendent Thomas Smith in an online statement. "As a District, we have worked diligently to be proactive in the area of student safety.
"Our schools are only accessible through locked doors at the front entrance, where parents and visitors are directed to sign in at the main office. We meet regularly with local law enforcement and emergency management officials to review and revise our safety plans and protocols. Several years ago, we instituted regular evacuation, lockdown, and active shooter drills. Administrators review procedures with staff and students in an age-appropriate manner."
Related:School threats are on the rise. Is it time to change our response?
More:How to talk to your kids about the Uvalde school shooting
David A. Bolton, superintendent of the Pennridge School District, said "it is important that our children understand that schools are safe places and that we work with our local police, fire, and other emergency responders" to ensure the safety of our schools.
"In Pennridge, all schools routinely talk about and practice for a variety of emergency situations," Bolton said. "While we focus on safety every day, I have reminded our staff this morning to remain vigilant, to monitor student concerns, to make sure that our schools are secured, and to report any concerns immediately to the office."
Superintendent William Harner of the Quakertown Community School District said he received calls Wednesday from both parents concerned about safety issues and others thankful for the work of the district's safety committee.
Superintendent William Harner of the Quakertown Community School District said he received calls Wednesday from both parents concerned about safety issues and others thankful for the work of the district's safety committee.
"Of an immediate nature, there is a tremendous amount of support and resources that are available to support your student(s) and family as you cope with reading about another school shooting and community tragedy. School-based counselors are ready to talk with your student and you," he wrote.
Harner continued, "For the past eight and half years, Quakertown Community School District has placed safety as job one! School safety has been a significant part of Superintendent (District) Goals over that time period. Act 44 of Pennsylvania allows the Board and district to keep “our cards close to our chest” of the various projects and programs that we have implemented to keep everyone safe. I can assure you that we are doing exactly what you expect!"
In Montgomery County, Hatboro-Horsham Superintendent Scott Eveslage said in a statement that counselors, psychologists and social workers in the district are prepared to speak to any staff member or students who would like support following the shooting in Uvalde.
District administrators work with the township, borough and county authorities to regularly to review and reinforce preparation for emergency safety. Eveslage said while the schools have standard visitation procedures in place, both Hatboro and Horsham police departments will have an increased presence at schools in the district Wednesday and going forward.
AG Shapiro: Anonymous Safe2say tips reach 40,382 in first year
“Ultimately, I see my primary responsibility as providing a safe environment for all those I serve. I can assure you that our team is fully committed to this goal,” he wrote. “We strive for all our students and staff to feel safe and secure in our schools and we want parents and guardians to feel completely confident in sending their children to our care. We will do all we can to ensure that happens."
Pennsylvania Safe2Say
Several Bucks and Montgomery County districts pointed community members to Pennsylvania'sSafe2Say Something app, which launched in the beginning of 2019. It is used in schools throughout the state. Students can anonymously submit reports of unsafe activities or threats through the application.
The Safe2Say annual report for the 2020 to 2021 school year showed there were 10,494 received statewide, which excludes false tips, according to its yearly report.
Bullying or cyber bullying reports, and suicide or suicide ideation were the highest-reported on the application statewide, with 1459 and 1394 reports each.
The application received more than 13,000 more reports the school year before, at 23,745 tips for the 2019 to 2020 school year. Bullying and suicidal ideation were the highest-reported that year as well.
Rich Askey, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, today issued the following statement in the aftermath.
“This is an unspeakable tragedy, and it’s yet another example of a horrific loss of life that could have been prevented,” Askey said. “This never should have happened, and there are things that we can do to make it less likely that these kinds of tragedies happen again.
“The families of the children and the educator who lost their lives today have our thoughts and prayers, but they — and we — need more than that,” Askey said. “We need action.
“Our students need mental health supports now more than ever, and we need to make these investments as a commonwealth and as a country. We must make the investments of time and resources that students need to deal with emotional problems before they result in violence and before people die. We can and must make this a priority, and we need to do it urgently.”
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Texas school shooting: Bucks schools, police departments respond
