Moscow School District #281

THREAT FOLLOW UP

Dear Moscow School District Stakeholders,

Please allow me to follow up regarding a threat to two of our schools today. I know this is a scary and concerning situation for the entire community and hope I can answer some of the questions you may have regarding this matter.

First, over the past two years, the Moscow School District has addressed the increasing concerns about school security as follows:

• In conjunction with the Moscow Police Department, we have adopted the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) from the “I Love U Guys” Foundation.  The SRP provides for uniform responses to threats that may happen within the District.  This means that staff and students at all of our buildings understand and have practiced responses to security threats that may occur inside or outside of our buildings.  Moscow Police Department (MPD) and Moscow Fire Department (MFD) personnel have been involved in our planning discussions and our practice drills.
• All MSD staff including administrators, teachers, aides, cooks, custodians, maintenance and grounds crew and transportation staff have received the SRP training and have participated in drills to practice the SRP.  In addition, we have provided training to volunteer groups (such as Moscow Mentors) who are regular visitors so that they also know what is expected of them should an incident occur while they are in one of our buildings.
• We have added access controls to the exterior entry points in every District building.  Any visitor to the school must now use the security intercom device and be cleared from the office before they can enter the building.  All exterior doors now remain closed and locked throughout the school day.
• We have added security cameras to the inside and outside of every building in the District.  While these cameras are not monitored continuously, they can be accessed quickly by District administrators and by select MPD staff in the event of an incident to get real time situational views.
• The District has formed a District wide SRP team, which meets regularly to review our response and reunification plans, debrief drills and other physical changes or maintenance concerns that need to be addressed to improve security.
• All District staff have been encouraged to refocus on making personal and positive connections with all of our students and each other.  Specifically, we want all of our staff and students to look proactively for those individuals that may feel disconnected or alienated, and to reach out to them to help them feel included in the MSD community.

Second, regarding the specific threat from earlier this morning; there is not a lot of new information regarding the person who made the threat. We know the Moscow Police Department has cited the individual and will be monitoring his actions in the future. I know many people are concerned that the individual was only cited and not arrested. This ability to cite the individual is a recent change in Idaho Code. Prior to legislative action a few weeks ago the person would not have even been given a citation. This is something we will be discussing with our local Idaho Legislators to see if we can get a bill passed during the next legislative session that will increase the consequences of making such a threat.

We were asked if we knew the name of the individual who issued the threat, and what two schools were threatened. The identity of the individual may be forthcoming soon.  The two schools were never specifically named.

Finally, I have been asked what additional actions the school will be taking these next few weeks in response to the threat. Along with what was mentioned earlier in this letter, we will be asking staff members to be even more vigilant in monitoring any unusual activity around the schools. We ask that parents also be alert for anything that appears to be unusual, and report this to police or school administrators. I have also been told police will be more visible around our schools. Of course, we will also review all actions taken today and will adjust protocols to improve future responses as needed.

We are working hard to make our schools as safe as possible and provide a positive environment for everyone who enters our facilities.

Sincerely,

Gregory J. Bailey, Ph.D.

Superintendent

Dear Community Members,

In response to the current issue of school safety I sent the following email to our staff. I’m sharing it with you because it is an idea that should go beyond the walls of any school. Please read the letter and consider how you can also help another person, adult or child, who may be a “Shaken Can”.

Sincerely,

Gregory J. Bailey, Ph.D.

Superintendent

Moscow School Dist. #281

 

Dear Staff,

I know the issue of school safety is weighing heavy on your mind, as it is mine. I’m glad that our nation is finally bringing this conversation to the forefront. However, it’s also disappointing how so many people are trying to simplify the cause and solution. It’s like someone thinking they can fix a totaled car after it rolled off a cliff by changing one tire. Mental illness, family breakdown, gun safety, video games, increased pressure, and the decline in valuing others have been named recently as probable contributors to this issue. I would just state they are all contributing factors, as well as many others I have not heard. However, I’m not writing for the sake of debating, but instead asking we as adults increase what we already do within our district, which is caring and nurturing our students.

When I was a principal, I stood at the front doors each morning as the kids entered into the building, and I also tried to stand in the hallways each passing period. The purpose was to watch for the “Shaken Can”. This was taught to me during my training as a Mandt trainer. The “Shaken Can” is the student who shows behaviors as they enter the building or walk the halls that may suggest they are not having a good day. They may be bumping people as they walk, looking down at the floor, or trying to isolate themselves from others. All signs, some even minor, may be the antecedent to a mental or physical outburst similar to a shaken can being opened.

Many times these “Shaken Can” students explode at the smallest issue. For example, when an unidentified “Shaken Can” kid is slightly bumped in the hallway and they retaliate by yelling obscenities at the student who bumped them. There can be many reasons for a student to be “Shaken”. There may have been a domestic dispute within their home the night before, homework not completed, or even a wonderful thing such as a new baby being brought home has caused the student to wonder how they fit within the new family dynamics. With the large population of students in our district, we cannot fathom all the different scenarios that may occur in each of our student’s lives. Even we come to work at times and are the “Shaken Can”.

I’m asking for all of us to be even more diligent in looking for the “Shaken Can” students.  This is something many of us do each and every day, but occasionally we sometimes don’t take the time prevent it, but rather wait for the explosion and then react by disciplining the student or having someone else deal with the student. Some may even think it’s not their place to get involved. I’m asking not only teachers and administrators, but all of our support staff as well, to look for these troubled kids and take action rather than ignore the signs.

Please simply take a moment to ask a student if something is bothering them if they show any signs that give you the idea that not all is well. This preventive measure, rather than the alternative reactionary measure, will improve student/staff relations, shows the students you care, is quicker, and makes for a much more relaxing day for both you and the student.

The students in our nation’s schools are pleading for help to make their school safe. Our generation needs to hear them and step forward in helping them in feeling safe, and having a sense of belonging.

Sincerely,

Gregory J. Bailey, Ph.D.

Superintendent