The Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy has made the rest of America take a new perspective on the importance of school safety. Fairfax County parents received an email that outlined all of the procedures already in place to keep their children safe on school grounds.

 

After the news broke of the loss of 20 children under the age of seven when an armed man entered Sandy Hook Elementary School and opened fire, Fairfax County wanted to inform parents of the existing security in all schools.

 

FCPS has had such precautions established well before the Sandy Hook tragedy but has circulated the information to parents to remind them of how faculty and students are protected in a variety of crises.

 

Lockdown plans in the event of an intruder and restricted entrance to elementary and middle schools through door access panels are among the precautions that are already in place.

 

In addition, all Fairfax County schools have emergency plans organized with local police and fire departments, “individual school crisis plans that have been updated in the last 12 months,” and faculty instruction in crisis management and communication, according to FCPS.

 

All high schools in the county have a Fairfax County police officer stationed within the school.

 

In addition, Langley’s Principal Mr. Matthew Ragone sent an email detailing changes to Langley’s school security plans in the wake of the shootings.

 

Door access at Langley will be restricted. Door 1, the front door, and doors 4 and 5, the doors leading to the trailers, will remain open for student use but all other doors will be locked after 7:20 am.

 

The main gate, which is already manned by Langley security during the day, will remain open, but half of the gate will be closed, limiting access.

 

In addition, the annual school lock down drill will take place sometime in January or February.