The following message is from Albany High School Principal Jodi Commerford:
I am writing to provide several safety-related updates for our school community.
As you may know from our communication earlier in the day, we briefly implemented hold-in-place procedures late Monday morning after two students got in a fight. There were no weapons involved, and no injuries. This was unrelated to last week's incidents.
The hold-in-place was in effect for about seven minutes before we resumed our regular security measures.
Paramedics also responded to school early Monday afternoon to assist a student who was injured during a physical education class.
Updated security procedures
Following the serious safety incidents that occurred at Albany High School and outside Abrookin Career and Technical Center last week, we have reviewed and updated procedures for building entry at the start of the school day. That included a building-level review last week, as well as a meeting of our District-wide School Safety Team on Monday morning.
Our review of last Thursday’s incident, in which two students were in possession of knives, determined that both weapons were brought into the building through our regular security process. In response to that, we have implemented additional protocols that our security team members will follow when a student, or a bag or purse, sets off a metal detector.
These additional steps may mean it will take a little longer for students to enter the building at the start of the day. However, we believe attention to these additional steps is critical to improving our overall security procedures.
We ask for your support and cooperation, and for your partnership in reminding your student of the need to get to school a few minutes earlier whenever possible, and for their patience in moving through security. Our procedures are in place for their safety.
PTSA meeting Tuesday
A portion of our PTSA meeting scheduled for Tuesday will be dedicated to addressing these areas. I am grateful to our PTSA leadership for providing this opportunity. I and members of our safety staff will be glad to answer your questions about these recent events, and building security in general.
Please note that there may be some areas in which we are not able to discuss our procedures in specific detail. Ensuring the integrity of security processes is an important element of any safety plan.
Tuesday’s PTSA meeting will be held in our library beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Parent University meeting Wednesday
On Wednesday, Albany High also will host a previously planned Parent University session on community violence. This meeting will be led by representatives of the community group 518 SNUG and will focus specifically on safety outside of school.
SNUG is an anti-violence program aimed at reducing gun violence through community outreach and partnerships. SNUG representative Gordon Davis will offer suggestions on ways families and the community can come together to help keep our students and city safe.
Wednesday’s presentation begins at 7 p.m. and also will be held in the Albany High library. Refreshments and child care will be provided.
