Public Meeting On Student Safety

Newtown Superintendent of Schools John Reed announced this week that the high school will the venue for a public meeting on student safety to be held Wednesday, October 13, at 7:30 pm.

According to Dr Reed, the purpose of the forum “is to provide an update on some concrete steps the school system has taken to address the kinds of safety issues discussed [in last spring’s meeting.]

The meeting Dr Reed referred to was hosted by the high school PTO. After that meeting, Dr Reed sent home a letter to Newtown parents describing some initiatives the school system would attempt to integrate.

Those attending the October 13 meeting will have the opportunity to hear from the Newtown Prevention Council “about an analysis of gaps in student services, which if addressed could promote greater student welfare,” Dr Reed said.

The prevention Council took up this assignment at the request of First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal in the wake of Governor Rowland’s request for school communities to review and contemplate ways to better help student bodies.

The Prevention Council will give a brief presentation of their findings, after which all in attendance will have the opportunity to add to the list. A weighted vote will follow that will select a few items to prioritize and address immediately.

The meeting will be held in the high school’s lecture halls, with several classrooms available for breakout voting sessions. If the size of the audience warrants it, the cafeteria will be used to hold the meeting.

Dr Reed said he encourages anyone who has questions to call the Superintendent’s office at 426-7621.