Dr. Fishbein on the Parkland shooting:
Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff:
Sadly, once again I must write to address another tragic school shooting, this time in Parkland, FL. Although far from Ridgewood, this senseless act hits close to home because it has taken the lives of innocent children and adults and torn the very fiber of a vibrant community.
While every event of this nature is unique and we always hope that it would never happen in our Village, we are realistic in our approach to safety in the Ridgewood Public Schools. Our top priority is to assure the safety of our students and staff. For this reason, we have security protocols in place at each of our buildings that are regularly reviewed for their effectiveness, including locked entries, ID swipe cards and the recent hire of a school safety officer. Our safety plan also includes a strong partnership with the Ridgewood Police Department and other first responders up to the county level and beyond. The importance of these relationships cannot be overemphasized, nor the value of the safety drills that we regularly practice with our students and staff; as seen in the Parkland shooting, these drills are a critical component to maintaining calm order and minimizing harm.
Events like yesterday’s shooting are frightening for everyone, most especially for children. Please do not shy away from discussing this incident with your children while reassuring them that they are safe. Professionals advise the following:
• Don’t project your fears onto your children.
• Limit access to the repetitious news cycle.
• Be honest.
I know that you join me in thoughts and prayers for the Parkland community. I do believe that at this difficult time the victims, their families, the first responders and the entire school district of students and staff would very much appreciate our sincere condolences as they try to cope with this tragedy and find a way to move forward.
Sincerely,
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
https://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/no-there-havent-been-18-school-shootings-this-year-not-even-close/
It’s not Everytown for Gun Safety distorting the facts, it’s the news organizations. The point is there WERE school shootings in 2018 and 2017 and 2016 and … and whether it’s 18 or 4 as parents we should be scared.
School superintendent should not be participating in politics.
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“Sadly, once again I must write to address another tragic school shooting, this time in Parkland, FL. “
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“Although far from Ridgewood, this senseless act hits close to home because it has taken the lives of innocent children and adults and torn the very fiber of a vibrant community. “
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• Don’t project your fears onto your children.
• Limit access to the repetitious news cycle.
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Do as I say…
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The only way that this superintendent HAS NOT disappointed me is in his CONSISTENCY TO DISSAPOINT me. I can ALWAYS count on that.
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This is why we are a downward sliding school district resting on its “tradition of excellence” laurels (and the parents ability to pay for tutors).
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Sad.
Let’s say we be a little proactive and get EVERY Ridgewood police officer
Standing behind a frickin PSE&G truck and have them stand a post at EVERY school in Ridgewiod.
Must the murderer make his presence known for any of us to take positive steps to stop him before he acts?
Far from Ridgewood?
Are you kidding me?
This is Ridgewood’s superintendent ?
5:50. There is not a single thing in this letter that can be construed as political. Here’s something that is though – republicans are owned and operated by the NRA and every member of Congress has blood on their hands again.
I’m for police in all schools. Security locks, cameras, every student should have an ID around her neck. Unfortunately this is a new world of i’m for police in all schools. Security locks, cameras, every student should have an ID around there neck. Unfortunately this is a new world it sucks
We need to outlaw guns just like we did with drugs.
Why did that nitwit at Travell complete the scheduled lockdown drill while the other schools backed off ?
I’m for maximum security in all schools .