November 10, 2009
Dear Key Communicators,
As you may have heard, a gunman entered Pine Plains Stissing Mountain Middle/High School this morning and took a principal hostage. The school was put on lockdown, police responded quickly, and fortunately, the suspect was taken into custody. No one was injured.
We know that incidents like this one can invoke fear. The safety of Arlington students and staff is our number one priority. Arlington works closely with police, health, and other safety officials to ensure our preparedness in the event of an emergency. We review and update our district safety plan regularly, conduct drills (including drills on how to handle a hostage situation), and provide training for our faculty and staff.
In a situation like the one that occurred in Pine Plains, a school is immediately put on lockdown. This means that interior doors are locked, hallways are vacated, and students and staff are confined to their classroom. No entry or exit is allowed. You should know that in an emergency, we will do what is necessary to protect children first and then to inform you as accurately and fully as we can.
What should you do in an emergency?
1. Do not go to the school unless officials ask you to come, although this may be your first instinct as a parent. Your presence may interfere with emergency response.
2. We will update the community as soon as possible through local media, newsflash, and the website. Please use these sources of information instead of calling your school. In a crisis situation, it is best to keep the district/school phone lines available for emergency communications.
3. Tell your children NOT to use cell phones unless permitted. Please do not attempt to call your child. Cell phone use could put people at risk by alerting an intruder to a student’s whereabouts or by causing additional distractions during a tenuous situation.
4. Stay tuned to local media and the district website for further instructions.
Our first priority is your child and the other children in the school. In the event of an emergency, please be patient and understand if we are unable to respond to you as completely or quickly as you would wish.
We will continue our diligence to ensure the safety of all Arlington students and staff. Let us all hope that we will never need to put our preparedness into action, but be assured that we are ready and able to implement our safety plans whenever necessary.
Frank V. Pepe Jr.
Superintendent of Schools
Arlington Central School District
696 Dutchess Turnpike
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
845-486-4460
Early Dismissal - 11:30 for students 11/4, 11/9 and 11/17 for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Please send a note to your child's teacher if your plans change due to the early dismissal.