The University Heights Police Department has increased patrols not only around the schools in that city, but also inside the schools, in the aftermath of the mass shooting Dec. 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Police Chief Steven Hammett said.
"Your police department maintains a presence in and around the schools throughout the school year," Hammett told University Heights City Council Dec. 17. "We have increased it and will continue to maintain that.
"I just want to instill that sense of safety and security around the schools"
Hammett said it was the police department's decision to increase patrols at the schools -- not the Cleveland Heights-University Heights school district's -- starting the morning of Dec. 17.
He was referring not only to the CH-UH public schools in the city, Gearity Professional Development School and Wiley Middle Schools, but also to Gesu School, he said.
Cleveland Heights Police Chief Jeff Roberston also said there will be a boosted police presence at the city's schools following the shootings.
"As always, we have patrols around the schools," he said. "With the events that have recently occurred, we have increased our presence and will continue to do so into the future."
CH-UH superintendent says district prepared
A message from Doug Heuer, superintendent of CH-UH schools, was posted Dec. 14 on the district's website in reaction to the incident.
"Like everyone in this community and across the country, we are deeply saddened by the horrific news," Heuer wrote. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their loved ones and the entire community.
"Please know that the (CH-UH) district is prepared for emergencies, and we continue to enhance our plans as more information and recommendations to create safe and secure schools become available"
The CH-UH district is reviewing its procedures for visitor entry, supervision and exit, said Angee Shaker, the district's director of communications.
Principals in the district held staff meetings Dec. 17 to review lockdown procedures, Shaker said.
"The district conducts practice lockdown drills in all schools each year under the guidance of administrators and security staff," she said. "We will conduct lockdown drills again this week in each of our buildings to provide some measure of reassurance that our emergency plans are in place and staff and students are aware of what to do in case of an emergency"
In addition, the district has assigned social workers and counselors to each elementary school and is partnering with community resources to provide support for all students and staff, Shaker said.
"I also sent (an automated phone message) home (Dec. 14), cautioning parents to limit their children s exposure to television reports and reminding them we have resources available on our website to help them talk about scary situations with their young children," she said.
Beachwood schools chief thanks police for visibility
Richard Markwardt, superintendent of Beachwood schools, thanked the city of Beachwood and its police department for their visible presence in our schools parking lots in a Dec. 17 email to residents of that city.
"We are fortunate to have the resources of the (police) department as a vital component of our school security plans," he wrote.
Markwardt added that the district always revisits its own school safety provisions after a tragic event such as the Dec. 14 shootings.
"Our goal is constantly to enhance building security," he wrote. " Please know that the safety of our students and staff demands that we not disclose details that would compromise the integrity of our security provisions"
In a separate email Dec. 17, Lauren Broderick, Beachwood schools' director of pupil services, said district administrators and counselors made various resources available to parents, such as links to articles offering advice on talking to children about violence, school shootings and tragedy.
"Our principals and support staff across the district did not address the incident directly with the children through any organized assemblies or class counseling sessions," Broderick wrote.
"Rather, the administration remained visible throughout the day, and the guidance counselors and school psychologists were available to talk individually with any child who expressed a concern"
Shaker Heights schools keep 'normal routines'
Shaker Heights schools, in keeping with the recommendations of mental health professionals, stayed with normal routines "to the degree possible" Dec. 17, said Peggy Caldwell, the district s director of communications.
"Our counselors, school psychologists and therapists from Bellefaire, who are trained in crisis counseling, were prepared to provide support to any students or staff members in need," she said.
Resources have been provided online to help parents and teachers via the district's website, shaker.org , Caldwell said.
"From what we have heard and observed in visits to the schools, the day (Dec. 17) went smoothly, with a handful of requests for counseling," she said.
"Despite their grief and anxiety -- or perhaps because of it -- students and teachers seemed to welcome the familiarity of routines"
On the district's website, Superintendent Mark Freeman said the recent shootings are naturally raising questions about school security.
"We review our safety and security procedures on a regular basis, and lockdown drills are conducted annually in each school under the supervision of the Shaker Heights Police Department," Freeman wrote.
"It is clear that this event will prompt a review of procedures, in Shaker and around the nation. We will approach this task thoughtfully, with the guidance of our police department and other experts"
Staff writer Brian Byrne contributed to this story.
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