Dear Bunker Hill CUSD 8 Parents and Guardians –
First, I hope everyone enjoyed their first full day of Summer Break! This year, while appearing more closer to normal than the previous two, presented its fair share of challenges to navigate in order to ensure that our students received a full school year (176 days) of in-person learning. However, thanks to our community, we rose up to meet this challenge, and although we may have been the last school in Macoupin County to dismiss for the year, we were able to deliver on our commitment to ensure our students remained in school all year long. This would not have been possible without the support and cooperation (along with the hard work) of all involved in our schools: teachers, students, support staff, administrators, parents, board members and for that support, I thank you!
On a more somber note, I am personally (along with many of you) heartbroken over the very tragic event that occurred yesterday in Uvalde, Texas. As we all grapple with our collective emotions on this senseless tragedy, I would like to take this moment to reassure families that Bunker Hill CUSD #8 places safety as our absolute top priority. Below are some examples of what the district currently has in place, as well as some continual improvements already in place to be completed this summer:
- The district has a Crisis Management Plan for each building and is reviewed annually in consultation with local law enforcement officials (Bunker Hill Police, Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department, Macoupin County EMA, Bunker Hill Fire Protection Dist.)
- All buildings conduct intruder drills periodically
- Every classroom in the district has recently been equipped with phones that have the capability to place outside calls in the case of an emergency
- All exterior doors in Bunker Hill #8 buildings are locked at all times
- As of last week, using a federal grant, the district installed an Electronic Access Control System in which employees have “fobs” that allow them access via specific doors to buildings they are approved to enter.
- Utilizing a state-awarded School Maintenance Grant, every classroom door in both buildings will be equipped with Nightlock door barricades this summer
- The district also has an anonymous threat hotline that will receive texts or calls at (213) 421-3119 or via email at speakup@bhcusd.org
- We have doubled the amount of increased counseling services available over the past year through out partnership with the Macoupin County Public Health Department
- We are in the process of applying for a SVPP (School Violence Prevention Program) grant from the US Dept of Justice for additional and upgraded camera systems
- Administrators will be meeting tomorrow (Thursday, 5/26) to review our Threat Assessment Protocols and Crisis Management Plans
- Finally, we remind all within our community of the most effective method of averting school violence in all forms: if you hear or see something, say something
The National Association of School Psychologists offers guidance to help parents talk with their children about these high-profile acts of violence and can be accessed at this link: https://bit.ly/39SiUXe
Should you wish to support the Robb School with a donation there is an official Memorial Fund established to assist the families. You can either mail a check or send electronic donations. Make a check payable to “Robb School Memorial Fund” and mail to 200 E Nopal St, Uvalde, TX 78801 or for Zelle donations: robbschoolmemorialfund@gmail.com
I truly hope that this is the very last instance of high-profile violence in our schools. Please be assured that Bunker Hill CUSD 8 will do everything to ensure our schools are the safe places all children deserve, and we remain committed to working together with all our partners to support the safety and well-being of our students and staff.
In the meantime, my heart is heavy, and I grieve with the community of Uvalde, Texas.
Respectfully yours,
Todd
