- Meyersdale Area High School
- Overview
How to Talk to Your Child About School Violence
Unsure how to talk to your child about the tragedy at Sandy Hook? Click here for some tips that may help when explaining it to children.
Talking to your children about violence is a great way to help prevent tragic events. Click here for information on how to discuss topics of violence with your children and what to do if they feel threatened.
Parents and Guardians of Meyersdale Area Students,
Let me start by sharing that the thoughts and prayers of the faculty and staff of the Meyersdale Area School District are with the students, families, and educators of the Sandy Hook Elementary School, as well as the entire Newtown Public School District.
The purpose of this letter is to reassure parents that the Meyersdale Area School District has a crisis plan in place in the event of a criminal event or attack, as well as other natural disasters. The plan, which is updated regularly, was developed in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Police and Emergency Management Agencies. In addition, the staff has participated in mock exercises to practice the plan.
The district continues to take steps to make the school a safer place for students and staff. In addition to current security measures, the district continuously works to improve upon the safety of all students, employees and those entering our buildings. You may have noticed several additions over the past few years such as the swipe card entry system, automatic door locks, and additional interior and exterior cameras.
Although not all tragedies can be prevented, it is important to keep in mind that such events are rare. Schools are one of the safest places for children and youth during the school day, and an important place for them to receive support and return to normalcy. Communication and collaboration among schools, parents, and communities is critical to ensure that our students continue to view schools as safe, caring, and supportive environments. Please visit the district website at www.masd.net for resources to guide discussions with children and for our most recent district newsletter.
As a reminder, the Meyersdale Area School District works with a number of special service providers that specialize in helping students to meet specific needs. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact one of our building guidance counselors. If you have information or concerns regarding school safety, please contact a building principal or myself. I can assure you that we value all concerns and do our best in conjunction with law enforcement agencies and mental health professionals to determine appropriate actions needed to ensure your child’s safety.
Thank you for your concern and understanding in this matter. The safety and well-being of our students is always a top priority. If you have any questions, please contact me at 814-634-5123.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tracey A. Karlie
Superintendent of Schools