Since the Columbine school shooting in 1999 there have been 31 additional school shootings. The most recent shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the suburb of Newtown, CT calls for immediate action that our River Vale district schools (K-12) become more secure.  

Currently, Roberge and Woodside Elementary schools lock the doors while school is in session, as well as have a "buzzing in" procedure for visitors. Unfortunately due to the changing world, this is not enough.  Therefore, we would like to bring attention to additional security measures which can be put into place: police presence in and around school property during school hours, and/or security cameras.  Police presence may simply consist of an on duty officer driving through the schools campus and/or walking the school grounds, periodically each day. Other suggestions are welcomed and we would like our suggestions to be heard and measures taken to provide more secure schools.

We agree that we can not stop all tragedies, but we must try by providing safer schools for our children as well as our school staff. We can not deny that Newtown could have been our very own town. Let us learn from this tragedy and provide more security at our district schools.

(Please click the hyperlinks to the right of this petition to read current news reports on school security. Please feel free to add your comments after your signature below.)

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