Statement from Superintendent Catherine Latham
in Response to the Newtown, Connecticut Tragedy
On behalf of the Lynn School Committee, the entire staff of Lynn Public Schools, and the Lynn community, I send heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the staff, students, and families of Newtown as they deal with this horrific tragedy.
As we seek to comprehend and understand the horror of the event, we naturally look inwardly at our own schools and our own children. I write this message in an attempt to offer some sense of security to the families of all Lynn students and to offer resources to parents on how to speak with their children, answer their questions and calm their fears.
Lynn Public Schools Security Systems
We have performed cutting-edge work over the past six years to maintain safe and secure schools. Our School Safety and Security Liaison, Lynn Police Officer Robert Ferrari, has worked tirelessly with us, the Lynn Police Department and the Lynn Fire Department to establish safety systems in all schools. These systems include:
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Aiphone Systems in every school that allow video monitoring and two-way communication before visitors are buzzed into the buildings. |
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Yearly lock-down drills (in addition to fire drills) in every school. |
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Card access systems that allow only designated school department personnel into our buildings. |
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A strict Visitor Policy newly adopted by the Lynn School Committee and posted on our school department website. |
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Collaboration with the Lynn Police Department and the Lynn Fire Department in Mock Active Shooter Drills in our schools. This year a drill was held after school hours at LVTI and included Lynn English High School ROTC student volunteers. |
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CCTV Security Camera Systems in 16 of our 25 schools that include more than 400 interior and exterior cameras; a plan to add security cameras in the remaining nine schools in 2013. |
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Computer phone systems in all schools that enable phones to be used as intercoms and emergency notification systems. |
Our No. 1 priority is the safety and security of our children.
There is absolutely nothing more important. |
Resources for Parents and Teachers
My entire district staff is working to provide school personnel with assistance in dealing with this tragedy. Our principals, school psychologists, school adjustment counselors, and guidance counselors will be available on Monday and throughout the week and beyond to assist you and your children. Below are links to resources to assist parents and teachers in talking to children about school violence. I will add additional resources as they become available.
The American Academy of Pediatrics | 
