A Message from the Superintendent Regarding School Safety
Dear NCS Parents:
I hope this note finds you well and that you were able to enjoy time with friends and family over February Break. I am writing to you this evening as one of the 175 educators at NCS who will be caring for your child when they return to school tomorrow morning. Like all of you, I have spent time thinking and talking with others in recent days about the tragedy that occurred in Parkland, Florida, and how the events can cause us to question the safety we sometimes take for granted in our learning community. While law enforcement professionals do not recommend that school districts publically share details involved with safety practices and procedures, I wanted you to be aware of the following:
• NCS has a District Safety Team and two Building Safety Teams that meet on a regular basis. To begin conducting a review of the drills and plans we currently have in place, our District Safety Team will be meeting later on this week.
• In recent years, both of our buildings have created secure main entrances and begun scanning the identification cards of visitors to help keep our students and staff safe. In addition, because of the capital project our community members passed last May, we hope to begin constructing an even more secure main entrance in our Elementary School later on this spring.
• With the help of funds from the Smart Schools Bond Act, the District has recently re-keyed all facilities, mounted updated cameras, and installed security systems in both buildings.
• Without specific funding from the State, NCS has found ways to support a School Resource Officer (SRO) for the past four years. The individual—Deputy Jaus—brings with him a career spent in the military as well as with the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office.
• On February 3, 2018, the Naples Board of Education submitted a formal funding proposal to Senator Funke focused on providing the resources needed for enhancing mental health supports at NCS.
While most of these precautions were unimaginable when you and I were in school, they are now viewed to be best practices when it comes to keeping students safe. However, while we are committed to constantly reflecting on the safety practices we have established and finding new ways to improve District security, there is no way around the fact that we need to make sure NCS continues to be a place where kids feel loved and valued. With this in mind, our Board of Education as well as students in our Statistics class recently conducted two different surveys exploring a range of issues. Among them were questions aimed at measuring the degree to which students are experiencing academic success, how involved they are when it comes to engaging in co-curricular activities, and whether or not they have strong connections with adults at NCS.
The good news is that an overwhelming majority of students indicated that they feel safe and cared for when they are at school. The challenge, however, lies in the fact that at NCS we believe “all means all.” We want 100% of our students to enjoy their classes, take advantage of the sports and clubs that are offered, and form positive relationships with those around them. In an effort to engage all students, we have spent time this school year collecting data and investigating potential programs that might speak to each member of our student body. Some of them have been relatively non-traditional, and you may have heard that in recent months we have begun exploring the possibility of establishing a team to participate in the New York State Clay Target League. Several area schools have established similar teams in recent years, and they each report the activity has been a safe and positive way to make school a place of belonging for students who have at times been disengaged from their learning environments. However, I want to emphasize the fact that we have only just begun to investigate whether or not this might be a possibility in a community known for hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities, and that no final decisions have been made.
Finally, while our faculty and staff are committed to making NCS a welcoming place to teach and learn, I would encourage us all to ultimately view student safety as our collective responsibility. Simply put, if you see something, say something. I have provided the contact information for our administrative team below, and I would ask you to call or write to your child’s teacher, counselor, or any administrator if there is something that is on your mind. There is no harm in asking a question or raising a concern, and I can assure you that we welcome your feedback and thoughts.
Matt Frahm, School Superintendent (mfrahm@naplescsd.org, 585-374-7901)
Mitch Ball, Assistant Superintendent for Business (mball@naplescsd.org, 585-374-7902)
Bridget Ashton, High School Principal (eashton@naplescsd.org, 585-374-7927)
Kris Saucke, Elementary School Principal (ksaucke@naplescsd.org, 585-374-7951)
Katie Piedici, Director of Pupil Personnel Services (kpiedici@naplescsd.org, 585-374-7910)
Heather Clark, Assistant Principal/Data Coordinator (hclark@naplescsd.org, 585-374-7936)
Thank you for the trust you place in our school, and please know that we are looking forward to greeting your son or daughter tomorrow morning when they return from February Break.
Sincerely,
Matt Frahm, Superintendent
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