Bristol-Warren School Department Updates Safety Measures

A new set of safety measures have been put into place at schools in the Bristol-Warren Regional District, following the in December.

Supt. Melinda Thies, in a notice posted on the district website before the Christmas holiday break, wrote: "We are keenly aware of the very precious responsibility with which we are entrusted," in describing existing safety protocols and the new measures that have been put into place.

Beginning this month, school staffers will be given ID cards, and each school equipped with card readers, to allow doors to remain locked before and after school while allowing teachers and staffers to enter and exit.

In addition, all volunteers in local schools will be required to submit results of a background check to the school district, Thies wrote.

Thies also explained that the district's Child Opportunity Zone (COZ) staffers will monitor school entrances during drop-off and dismissal times, and use the camera systems at each school to allow pick-up of students.

For students who participate in early morning and afterschool activities, Thies wrote that each elementary school will post a cell phone number for parents to use when dropping off and picking up their kids.

"This may be a temporary inconvenience but it is a necessary protection for your children," Thies wrote. "Working together, we will ensure a community of caring, safety, and rich learning for your children."

[Read the entire notice about school safety measures attached to this article.]

What do you think of the new safety policies at Bristol-Warren schools? Have your say in the comments below.