PENNRIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE 1200 North Fifth Street ● Perkasie, Pennsylvania 18944 215-453-2710

Dr. Jacqueline A. Rattigan, Superintendent February 15, 2018

Dr. Jacqueline A. Rattigan, Superintendent

Dear parents and guardians, Once again, our hearts are heavy after yet another senseless school shooting. Please join me in sending healing thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. A tragedy like this naturally raises questions about what we can do to prevent a similar incident here in the Pennridge School District. I can assure you our School Board, administration, faculty and staff all are committed to maintaining a safe education environment for your children. You have every right to expect them to be protected from harm while in our care. Just as a reminder, all of our schools have secured entrances that are monitored by cameras. After being buzzed into the building, all visitors must present identification and be screened through our Raptor system before being allowed access to areas where there are children. Last year, with the help of local law enforcement, we implemented the A.L.I.C.E. Training System that provides guidelines for student and staff response to an armed intruder situation or other life-threatening emergency. We routinely practice the A.L.I.C.E. response in our schools and have been pleased with the cooperation we have received from everyone. While proactive security measures are one tool, the best defense against a tragedy such as we saw in Florida is to prevent it from happening in the first place. That means being vigilant about warning signs that an individual might be capable of inflicting mass casualties. Apparently, there were several red flags surrounding this young man in Florida that went unnoticed or unreported. My message to you -- and it should be passed on to your children -- is “if you see something, say something.” Do not wait until it is too late and regret your inaction. Take the time to notify proper authorities. It sounds trite but it truly is better to be safe than sorry. Over the next few days, the administration and staff will be reviewing our security measures to ensure we are taking every possible precaution. In the meantime, talk to your children, monitor their friends and keep an eye on their communications. No community is immune from the tragedy that struck Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School but we can do our best to prevent it from happening here at Pennridge. Sincerely,

Jacqueline A. Rattigan, Ed.D. Superintendent Mission Statement It is paramount that our students graduate with knowledge of their talents, passions and what is necessary for them to remain life-long learners and productive citizens. These objectives need to be accomplished in a community-oriented environment that is safe, welcoming, nurturing, student-centered and respectful of all. As such, the mission of the Pennridge School District is as follows: Pennridge School District strives to provide all students with a well-rounded educational experience where they acquire the 21st century skills necessary for a successful future. www.pennridge.org