In response to the tragic events that happened in February when a 19-year-old gunman killed 19 students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., the Chula Vista Police Department and local South County school districts assured parents in a school safety forum this month that they are doing their part in preventing a situation like the one that happened across the country.
However, officers and school district officials have said while they are taking preventive measures to avoid such a tragedy from happening at local schools they need parents to do their part.
“School safety is everyone’s responsibility. Schools play a critical role in keeping students safe while also supporting their mental health needs,” said Anthony Millican, director of communications and community development for the Chula Vista Elementary School District.
“Parents are every bit as important. These are not separate efforts. Together and with assistance from our law enforcement partners, we can continuously refine and enhance our programs to improve school climate, overall safety and student well-being.”
Officials with the Chula Vista Elementary School District and the Sweetwater Union High School District outlined ways parents and guardians can stay informed during a disaster or critical event:
•Check and update students’ emergency card information anytime you or one of the contacts change information. It is important to update all active telephone numbers for landlines and cellular phones. Along with updating phone numbers, it is essential to provide schools and districts with the email addresses that parents check most frequently.
“This is the most important thing,” said Manny Rubio, director of grants and communications for the Sweetwater Union High School District. “In the case of an emergency, or FYI kinds of calls and messages we make, we send out our information based on what we have on the emergency card,” he said.
• Follow and like both school districts’ social media pages. The Chula Vista Elementary School District can be followed on Twitter at: @CVESDNews and can be liked on the Chula Vista Elementary School District Facebook page.
Sweetwater Union High School District is on Twitter at: @SUHSD and on Facebook at the Sweetwater Union High School District.
Rubio said following the district’s social media accounts is essential because that is where the most updated, factual and accurate information will be posted during a time of emergency.
Rubio said social media pages are also good for parents to submit questions and comments as the district will reply to those messages during an emergency.
•Ensure that you are registered to receive text messages in your cell phone through the school districts’ emergency notification system. To-opt in with the Chula Vista Elementary School District text “Y” or “Yes” to 67587.
As part of providing the correct information on emergency card, providing the most updated phone number is useful so parents can get any text message alerts from the school district in regards to emergency situations.
