Rockland Police, School Officials to Review School Safety Procedures

Rockland school and police officials plan to meet this week to discuss safety procedures in response to Friday's deadly .

"While we can and will always work to strengthen what I believe is an effective system for safety and security, it is most important at this time that we offer our students every reassurance that our schools are a safe place for students," said Nyack Schools Superintendent James J. Montesano in a message to his district on Monday.

Montesano said that he, other superintendents and police officials plan to meet on Wednesday to discuss their safety procedures.

In Nyack, Montesano said that school safety will also be discussed Wednesday morning at a Parent Council meeting.

"The district has a comprehensive school safety plan that has been developed with the assistance of state and local authorities," Montesano said. "The District has a school emergency and tactical plan in place for each school, as well. The plans are annually reviewed and provide critical operating procedures in responding to a wide range of potential emergencies. Lockdown drills, school evacuations, communication systems during a crisis, assisting students and personnel with special and medical needs - are examples of the areas addressed in our safety plans. District personnel have been trained in Incident Command Systems and other emergency areas such as CPR and emergency care. The District will continue to provide ongoing training, practice of emergency drills and review of our safety plans."

Montesano said Nyack will continue to have counselors available to assist children who may be expressing fear or be worried about going to school because of the attack in Newtown, in which 26 people — 20 of them children — were killed by Adam Lanza of Newtown. 

Before schools opened on Monday, Montesano said meeting were held throughout the district to discuss strategies on how best to support the students.

"In the days ahead we will continue to monitor our students and will contact parents of children who may be displaying signs of distress during their time at school," Montesano said. "Please contact your child’s principal or teacher if your child is demonstrating anxiety or concerns about his or her school and you would like us to assist."