Central Iowa School Shooting

Dear Families and Staff,

As you may be aware, there has been an incident of school violence this morning at Perry High School, which is in a community near Des Moines. While the details are not yet clear, our thoughts are with the students, staff, and families of Perry at this time.

We want you to know that we are in close contact with our local law enforcement officials. They believe the incident in Perry to be isolated, but we want to assure you that the safety of our students, staff, and families is our top priority.

We have comprehensive safety protocols in place and are constantly working to strengthen them. These protocols include:

• Secure building access: All exterior doors remain locked during school hours. Visitors must report to the office and obtain a visitor badge.
• Trained staff: Our staff are trained in emergency procedures and regularly participate in drills.
• School resource officer: We have a dedicated school resource officer present to maintain safety and security.
• Mental health support: We know that some students may struggle to process terrible news like this. Our school counselors and student assistance specialists are available and ready to assist, as needed. We encourage students to stop by the counseling office at their school at any time if they need support.
• Communication: The district has a strong communication plan in place to address crisis situations.

While we cannot eliminate all risks, we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for our students and staff. We encourage you to talk to your children about this event and answer any questions they may have in an age-appropriate way. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the district.

Sincerely,

Amy Kortemeyer, Superintendent