February 2013

 

 

 

Dear Echo Lake Family,

 

Happy New Year!  We hope everyone is off to a great start to 2013!  Our staff and students are working hard to close out the first semester with great success!  Thank you PTA for all of your support and hard work on behalf of our students, staff, and community. The December Cookie Exchange was a huge success and coincidentally, Dr. Russo and the District Leadership Team were able to join us for a staff meeting that day and enjoyed the treats as well!  Thank you!

 

The administrative team wants to take this opportunity to update all of you on the favorable Comprehensive Safety Audit that took place at Echo Lake in November.  At Echo Lake Elementary School, our dedication to the safety and well being of our students has, and always will be, our number one priority.  We completed our Comprehensive Audit on November 7, 2012.  We received outstanding commendations in all areas of the audit, and we would like to share our commendable report with our community.  The report covered fifteen areas of safety, and a team of auditors made up of HCPS staff and county police and fire departments rated each area.  Below is an outline of the sections and some commendations and recommendations.

 

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Section 1: Safety and Security of Buildings and Grounds

“The maintenance and custodial staff are commended for an “Outstanding” rating on the Maintenance Inspection Report dated September 2012.”

 

Section 2: Fire Prevention and Preparedness

“The faculty and staff are commended for conducting an orderly and efficient fire evaluation drill as observed during the 2012 Comprehensive Safety Audit.”

 

Section 3: Development and Enforcement of Safety Procedures

“The school is commended for excellent interior and exterior door security.”

“The administration is commended for thoroughly developing and enforcing safety procedures.”

 

Section 4: Safety and Crisis Planning

“The administration is commended for having a thorough, complete, and up-to-date Crisis Plan.”

“The administration is commended for accounting for all students, staff, and visitors during all safety drills.”

 

Section 5: School Safety and Crisis Team

“The safety committee is commended for having excellent communication with the faculty and staff.”

 

Section 6: Safety Training and Staff Development

“The administration is commended for actively and clearly promoting a culture of safety at the school.” 

 

Section 7: Collection and Analysis of Safety-Related Data

“The administration is commended for extensively analyzing safety-related data on a regular basis and taking appropriate action when trends develop.”

 

Section 8: Prevention and Intervention

“The school is commended for their comprehensive and effective intervention programs.”

 

Section 9: Opportunities for Student Involvement

“The school is commended for providing recognition opportunities for all students.”

“The administration and staff are commended for developing an effective student Safety Patrol program.”

 

Section 10: Parent/Community Involvement and Communication

“The school is commended for developing an outstanding relationship with parents and the community.”

 

Section 11: Role of Law Enforcement

“The school is commended for having a great working relationship with the Henrico County Division of Police.”

 

Section 12: Role of the School Security Officer (SSO)

Not applicable for elementary schools

 

Section 13: Medical Emergency Preparedness

“The school is commended for having up-to-date and readily accessible clinical records and supplies.”

 

Section 14: Cafeteria Safety

“The cafeteria staff is commended for maintaining an exceptionally clean facility.”

 

Section 15: Transportation Safety

“The school is commended for receiving an excellent rating on the most recent HCPS Department of Pupil Transportation Evaluation.”

 

Recommendations: 

The audit team did make several recommendations which the administrative team has either already implemented or in the process of completing.  Some examples are as follows:

v  Protective covers on light fixtures in the custodial and mechanical work spaces.

v  Consider installing a fire extinguisher in kiln area in the art room – completed the day after the audit

v  Communication device for Watch DOGS– walkie-talkie has been provided to Watch DOGS and crisis plan codes provided to volunteers

v  More active safety training for substitutes – school nurse touches base with each substitute on student health concerns and safety protocols each day, as well as, administrative check-ins.

v  Consider having a student representative on the Safety Committee – a 5^th grade student has been added to the Safety Committee

 

The Echo Lake staff is very proud of this safety audit report!  Miss Kim and I would like to commend our staff for their vigilance, hard work, and the great lengths they go to each day to ensure a safe and secure learning environment. This is a “team effort” with parents, students, staff, central office, and local emergency responder agencies working to ensure the highest quality education for our students in a safe school and work place.  As always, if you have any questions regarding this audit or suggestions to make our school community even safer, please feel free to contact Jodie Brinkmann at jlbrinkmann@henrico.k12.va.us or Angie Kim at ejkim@henrico.k12.va.us.  You can also call the school at (804) 527-4672.  Thank you for all of your support in our pursuit of excellence!