Auburn superintendent seeks ‘safe learning environments’ for students

The superintendent of Auburn schools, Cornelia Brown, issued the following letter Wednesday to families, friends and staff in reaction to worries in the wake of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday:

“The recent horrific events at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, have shaken us all and I find them difficult to comprehend. The unspeakable pain that the families are going through is unfathomable to me, and as a parent and grandparent, my thoughts and prayers are with those individuals impacted by the tragic events.

“Please know that safety in the Auburn School Department is our highest priority. We work very closely with the Auburn Police Department and other experts in the field to develop and implement protocols and procedures for emergencies. These protocols are reviewed regularly and updated to reflect the most current safety practices.

“Exterior doors are locked and secure, as are classroom doors. Staff members are vigilant about monitoring playgrounds and parking lots. We continue to review all of our buildings exterior shell and entryways and the Auburn School Department Emergency Plan to ensure we are taking all possible measures to keep our buildings safe. Each building is equipped with cameras and surveillance screens in the office to see who is coming and going. We encourage our students and staff members to remain vigilant and if they see something, say something.

“As a community of learners, we are committed to the social and emotional health, well-being and safety of our students. Schools where all students are known and feel connected to each other and the adults is the most proactive thing we can do to create safe learning environments. It takes all of us working together.”