Safety First

The adage that "safety always comes first" really is true in a school setting. Our first priority every day is that all 612 of our students are both physically and emotionally "safe" at Calvert. Our maintenance and grounds team takes excellent care of the campus, working hard to ensure well-kept buildings, fields, gardens, and pathways. We regularly evaluate and, when needed, modify our safety procedures and protocols. Even though it is still only September, we have already had two successful fire drills (one conducted by our staff and another "unannounced" drill from the Fire Department). Moreover, we will hold our annual "red alert" drill in October, in which teachers lock classroom doors, turn out classroom lights, and have the students sit on the ground in silence for a few minutes. This drill simulates our procedures in the highly unlikely event that an intruder gained access to a building and posed a threat. Recently, I communicated with Calvert parents about another important safety matter--dismissal procedures. Having all drivers put their cell phones away as they approach campus is an important aspect of a smooth pickup period. In addition, by arriving at the designated time (depending on the grade level of the child), drivers have a shorter wait time and the local streets are less congested. I thank Calvert parents for their ongoing cooperation and am pleased to report much improved dismissals in recent days. Look for details about students' emotional well-being in a future posting. Our Wellness Committee has been quite active over the past twelve months!