Superintendent Weekly Update

Good afternoon,

I hope that your week has gone well. It was nice to have the holiday weekend and get outside for a hike. The professional development day that the staff participated in this week was very productive.

Sadly, yesterday we were once again reminded of the importance of school safety and security after the tragedy in Oregon. Please take a few minutes this weekend to review the important information I am sharing about our Safety Program and the Standard Response Protocol. I am also sharing information on a Drug take Back day coming up that is being hosted by the Ipswich Police Department and a piece on getting to know the Ipswich Education Foundation.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend.

-Brian

Dr. Brian J. Blake

Superintendent of Schools

As I mentioned over the past few weeks, we have incorporated the Standard Response Protocol into our Safety program in each of the schools. As of this week, all students and staff have received the necessary training to implement it.

The Standard Response Protocol includes five actions:

1. Hold — In Your Room or Area. Clear the Halls.
   Students and staff remain in their classrooms or designated areas while hallways are kept clear. Classroom activities may continue. A Hold may be used during a medical emergency so responders can move through the building and the person receiving care has privacy.

2. Secure — Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors.
   Students and staff come inside, and exterior doors are locked because of a concern or hazard outside the school. Activities inside may continue as usual. For example, a Secure action may be used during police activity in the surrounding neighborhood.

3. Lockdown — Locks, Lights, Out of Sight.
   When there is a threat inside the school, classroom doors are locked, lights are turned off, and students and staff remain quiet and out of sight. Students follow the directions of the adults supervising them.

4. Evacuate — To the Announced Location.
   Students and staff move to a designated location, inside or outside the building, under staff direction. An evacuation may be needed during a fire or another situation requiring people to leave an area.

5. Shelter — State the Hazard and Safety Strategy.
   Students and staff follow directions appropriate to a specific hazard, such as severe weather. The announcement identifies the hazard and the protective action to take, which may include moving to a designated shelter area.

Linked below is Parent/Guardian Information sheets in a variety of languages for your review. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Parent/Guardian Handout- English

Parent/Guardian Handout- Spanish

Parent/Guardian Handout- Portuguese

Parent/Guardian Handout- Pashto

Parent/Guardian Handout-Arabic

We are currently in dire need of substitute nurses in our district. If you are are a registered nurse with pediatric experience and even one day a week available, we would love to talk to you. Please reach out to any of the school nurses for more information before applying.

Ipswich Police Department is making it easy to safely dispose of expired and unwanted medications!
**Saturday, October 24** **Drive-Thru, Drop-Off**
Take a few minutes to clean out your medicine cabinet and bring unwanted medications for proper disposal. It’s a simple step that helps keep our homes, families, and community safe.

The Ipswich Education Foundation (IEF) supports innovative ideas and educational opportunities that enrich learning for Ipswich students, families, educators, and residents. Through community support and fundraising, IEF helps bring new ideas to life in our schools.

Want to learn more about what they do and how they support our district? Sign up for the IEF newsletter using the form at the bottom of the website, or follow IEF on Facebook or Instagram for updates, stories, and ways to get involved!

In light of recent ICE activity in Ipswich, I am sharing resources regarding student data privacy and immigrant students' rights to an education.

Ipswich Public Schools values every member of our community and welcomes all learners. We recognize the concerns expressed by local families and staff, and we remain fully committed to student safety. Following guidance from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, our district has clear protocols in place to protect our students and their personal information.

The linked one-page documents outline:

• The steps Ipswich Public Schools takes to protect students and secure data.

• A guide for families regarding immigrant students' right to attend public school.

I will include these resources in our weekly updates moving forward. Please reach out if you have any questions.

Flyers

Immigrant Students' Right to Attend School: A Guide for Families (English)

Immigrant Students' Right to Attend School: A Guide for Families (Spanish)

Immigrant Students' Right to Attend School: A Guide for Families (Portuguese)

Know Your Rights: A Guide for Immigrants, Families, and Communities on ICE Enforcement (English)

Know Your Rights: A Guide for Immigrants, Families, and Communities on ICE Enforcement (Spanish)

Know Your Rights: A Guide for Immigrants, Families, and Communities on ICE Enforcement (Portuguese)

The Ipswich Public Health Department has launched a campaign to raise awareness of opioid use disorder and help end the stigma surrounding the disease. The campaign, End Opioid Stigma, provides residents with information about opioid addiction and ways community members can support people affected by the disease. It also encourages the use of respectful, fact-based language when discussing opioid use. Learn more at ipswichma.gov/EndOpioidStigma

Ready to make a difference? Check out our current openings and apply today at https://ipsk12.schoolspring.com/!