By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
In the wake of the tragic events in Uvalde, Del Rio’s public school district is taking steps to ensure the safety of students and staff and it begins with this summer’s sports camps.
Wednesday, the San Felipe Del Rio CISD issued several directives and statements in regards to current and future plans for increased safety at the district’s facilities.
The most immediate of those changes will come via this summer’s athletic camps, training, open gym and more for not just athletics but for band as well.
According to the school district, students will be limited to where they will be able to access during these training periods. That includes where they can be dropped off and where they can be picked up.
Some of those procedures are as follows:
CHECK IN PROCEDURE ATHLETIC CAMPS/TRAINING/OPEN GYM & FIELDS
SPORTS PERFORMANCE, VOLLEYBALL, BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, BAND, FOOTBALL
- All students/parents will be drop off and pickup in the student parking lot
- Students will go around the gym on the right side of the building (grass area)
- Check in with their coach at rear of the building
- Coaches will guide them to proper area of training.
SOFTBALL, SOCCER
- All students/parents will be drop off and pickup in the parking lot next to the field
- Students will walk down the sidewalk to the field
- Check in with their coach
- Coaches will guide them to proper area of training.
TENNIS
- All students/parents will be drop off and pickup in the freshman parking lot
- Students will walk down the sidewalk to the court
- Check in with their coach
- Coaches will guide them to proper area of training.
STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN RESTRICTED AREAS. ACCESS TO THE CAFETERIA FOR CAMPS/TRAINING WILL BE THROUGH THE PATIO AREA.
ONCE THE PROGRAM/LUNCH IS COMPLETED THEY WILL NEED TO BE PICKED UP IN THE SAME AREA THEY WERE DROPPED OFF.
Camps and conditioning sessions have not been canceled or postponed for the SFDRCISD in the wake of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School Tuesday in Uvalde that claimed the lives of 19 students and two adults. The new check-in procedures for the camps are the first step in what could be many changes coming for the school district.
SFDRCISD Superintendent Dr. Carlos Rios also issued a statement promising increased presence of school district officers at campuses throughout the summer and a thorough review of the district’s current crisis response plan. He also announced plans for future parent meetings and community forums to gather input and share the district’s plans for those changes.
This is not the first time the school district has reviewed its procedures and made changes at campuses in the wake of shooting tragedies. After the mass shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado, the district conducted shooter response training at what is now North Heights Elementary. In recent years, the district has also added security measures at schools that limits access to the schools through the main entrances.
Rios’ statement in full is as follows:
“Our immediate thoughts and prayers are with the Uvalde community. As a neighboring school district, we hope to focus our efforts and what we can do as a community to support the City of Uvalde, Uvalde ISD, and the families and staff of Robb Elementary over the next few days.
“To speak about our own preparedness would appear insensitive to the pain and suffering the Uvalde community is experiencing at this moment.
“However, having said this, I want to reassure our families and staff that school safety is of utmost importance.
“I have met with the District’s Chief of Police to set into motion several immediate actions. The first is to conduct a full review of the District’s Crisis Response Plan. We plan to do this in partnership and collaboration with local law enforcement agencies. In addition, we plan to encourage the same agencies to work with us in participation of active drills and training. We have always had a great working relationship with our law enforcement agencies and know that they are ready and willing to assist.
“Secondly, I have directed the Chief of Police to increase the presence of police officers at all summer school campuses including every elementary school campus. Traditionally, we have assigned officers to secondary campuses. Moving forward, I hope to discuss with the Board of Trustees the establishment of a transitional and long-term plan for the assignment of police and security officers in all the schools within our District.
“While we have increased the security throughout the district and are working with law enforcement agencies, for the immediate time being, our public actions will identify ways that we as a school district and community can collectively lend a helping hand to the families affected by the devastating tragedy in Uvalde. As soon as the time is right we will announce parent meetings and community forums to share our plans and receive any ideas regarding the security in our schools.”
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
