Community Will Unite To Keep Schools Safe

In a joint community effort, several organizations in the Wissahickon School District area will combine information in a presentation later this month. Safe Schools will be held on Thursday, March 14 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Wissahickon High School’s auditorium.

According to the district’s website, the district will team up with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit and the police departments of Ambler Borough, Lower Gywnedd Township and Whitpain Township to produce the program.

“All members of the Wissahickon School District community are invited to attend,” said the district’s site.

For those that cannot make the live meeting, the program will also be videotaped and broadcasted on the District's cable channel and website. The program will be available for viewing during the week of March 18.

Wissahickon Television, known as “WTV” is available on Channel 28 on Comcast and Channel 41 on Verizon Fios.

According to Sgt. Bruce Hames of the Lower Gwynedd Police Department said the scheduled program will be a great example of members of the community working together.

“All of the municipalities in the school district are partnering with the school and the community,” he said.

Hames said that the program is new to the area.

“We are in the formative stages of that right now,” he said. “Members of each police department will work with school district to bring concerns to the forefront.”

All members of the community are invited to attend, and any school safety topic can be discussed.

“It is all about a safe mentality in schools,” said Hames.

With the latest rash of school violence, including the shooting in Newtown, CT covered by Patch sites in late 2012, safety in schools is in the forefront of many residents’ minds.

“Right now, everybody is worried about schools,” said Hames. “But, it really is about the entire community.”

He is glad the program is starting in the district.

“Montgomery County Intermediate Unit is involved in it, as they have a safe school coordinator,” said Hames. “A lot of school districts are doing this now, and schools really have to be a partner to make a safer environment for our kids and families.”