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Suburban superintendents offer safety assurances

Suburban superintendents offered condolences to the Connecticut victims and assurances of their districts' safety procedures through emails to parents and on websites. Here are some excerpts of their statements:

I want to assure you that safety of our students is our top priority and that our schools have comprehensive crisis plans in place to guide us through a variety of emergency situations should the need arise. The plans are reviewed annually with law enforcement and updated when needed. -- Ed Rafferty, Schaumburg Elementary District 54

No child or teacher, learning in the safety and security of his or her classroom, should fear an intruder committing an act of such evil. As upsetting as this is, however, it is also sobering to realize crimes against schools do occur, and we must always be vigilant. -- Tom Leonard, Barrington Area Unit District 220

We all share in the pain and suffering brought on by this completely senseless act against the young and vulnerable of our nation. I have sent condolences on behalf of our community to the superintendent in Newtown, a very bright educational leader I have had the privilege to meet on several occasions. -- David R. Schuler, Northwest Suburban High School District 214

I ache for the loss of innocence of the classmates who lost friends at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. I have informed the governor's office that our flags will be lowered to half-mast in all of our buildings in U-46 effective immediately. -- Jose M. Torres, Elgin Area School District U-46

I want to reassure our Medinah 11 learning community members that we (the BOE and Admin. Team) have and will continue to examine ways to make our schools more safe from such tragedies. -- Joseph F. Bailey Jr., Medinah Elementary District 11

We express our sincere condolences to the Sandy Hook Elementary School family for the many student and adult lives lost, injured and forever changed by the unimaginable shootings at the school earlier today. We ask that the District 128 family keep those affected in Newtown, Conn., in your thoughts in the coming days and weeks. -- Prentiss G. Lea, Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128

Over the last several years CCSD15 has partnered with (local police departments) to develop and strengthen security measures at all of our schools. These partnerships have produced comprehensive emergency crisis plans that all staff and students are trained on throughout the school year. -- Scott Thompson, Palatine Township Elementary District 15

Just as we did on the topic of student suicide and depression, we are going to turn our attention to prevention. We are going to utilize the power that resides in our teachers and staff members and their knowledge of and familiarity with the kids who attend our schools. -- Donald Schlomann, St. Charles Unit District 303

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