Dear Elmira Heights School Community,
In light of recent events and local concerns about social media threats to neighboring schools over the past few days, we want to take a moment to share some best practices for school safety and discuss how we can work together to ensure the well-being of our students, staff, and visitors. We understand that this topic may create anxiety for many, but our goal is to foster open communication to enhance safety for everyone. This letter is lengthy, but the safety and security of our schools are of utmost importance to us all.
First, I want to clarify that our situation has not changed in the last 24 hours. We have not received any threats directed at our schools. Some nearby schools have experienced "Swatting" threats—false, non-credible threats intended to cause disruption. We are closely monitoring the situation and continuing to work with the Elmira Heights Police Department through our School Resource Officer.
As a school community, we are committed to providing a secure environment. One of the most effective ways to strengthen our security is through collaboration with you—parents, students, and staff. Open communication helps us remain informed, vigilant, and responsive. Whether you are securing doors, reporting unusual behavior, or having safety discussions with your children, every effort strengthens the security of our schools.
We recognize that these are challenging times and that many of us feel a loss of control over events happening around us. However, we do have significant control when it comes to school safety. By securing our buildings and fostering a strong network of trust within our community, we can create the safest environment possible.
In recent years, we have made significant investments to improve our school security, including:
• Enhancing main entrances to serve as single points of entry, with secure vestibules for safely processing visitors.
• Adding and upgrading cameras across our facilities to improve surveillance and monitoring.
• Implementing Raptor software to screen visitors by scanning state-issued identification for background checks.
• Upgrading doors and windows to improve security while also enhancing climate control in our buildings.
• This fall, we are introducing the "See Something, Say Something" initiative, which will include new communication channels for students, staff, and the community to report concerns. More information on this will be shared soon.
One of the most visible and impactful security improvements has been the reintroduction of the School Resource Officer (SRO) program. Our partnership with the Elmira Heights Police Department has always been strong, and now we have their presence in our schools daily. This relationship ensures that our communication with law enforcement is clear, constant, and vigilant, and we are deeply grateful for their dedication to our safety.
We understand that school safety is not a destination but an ongoing process. We remain fully committed to continuously improving our safety protocols to benefit our students, staff, and community. We also recognize that these conversations can create heightened anxiety. However, the more we understand our procedures and responses to potential threats, the more confident and comfortable we can feel. Knowing what steps are in place and how we all play a role can ease some of the uncertainty surrounding this important issue.
In the coming days, we will provide additional resources and guidance to help you engage in meaningful conversations with your children about school safety, as well as specific procedures we follow to address safety concerns in our schools.
Through shared understanding, we can build trust and reinforce the sense of community that strengthens our schools. Together, we can ensure our students "Reach New Heights in Learning" while maintaining the highest standards of safety.
Thank you for your continued support, vigilance, and partnership in keeping our school safe. If you have any concerns or suggestions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Together, we can make a difference.
Sincerely,
Michael F. Gill
Superintendent of Schools
Elmira Heights School District