Hoping to re-assure parents, the Moline School District will hold an information night Thursday night on school safety.
Assistant Superintendent Kristin Sanders wants parents to know how much has been done to promote safety, including surveillance cameras, secure entrances, safety plans and drills, additional training for staff, hiring additional counselors, and encouraging students and parents to report any possible threats.
"We're trying to be more transparent on what our preparations, plans, and procedures are for families so it decreases their anxiety on those days when we have to have a lockdown or when we do our drills. So we're trying to take the mystery out of it to some extent."
Sanders says the district has spent a lot of money in recent years on safety, but sometimes the most important safety measures don't cost anything.
"And that is what families can do at home with their students, in terms of teaching respectful behaviors, create and enforce anti-bullying rules and procedures at home, and teach and enforce responsible use of technology."
The district decided to hold Thursday night's meeting because safety has been such a frequent topic at student conferences, and school board, communnity, and PTA meetings.
It begins at 5:30 pm at Moline High School, in the Bartlett Center for the Performing Arts.
