Schools

Novi Schools Superintendent Speaks Out About Newtown Elementary Shooting

In a letter, Dr. Steve Matthews says the district is safe but needs to remain vigilant.

On Friday morning, a .

In response, Novi Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Steve Matthews wrote a letter to the school district. In the letter, which you view in its entirety to the right, Matthews says the district is grieving with the Newtown families and staff.

He also addressed safety at Novi schools.

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A portion of Matthew's letter reads as follows:

"Please know that we take school safety seriously here in our school district. I am confident that we have created a school environment that is as safe as it can be. We keep our doors and windows locked. People cannot just walk into our buildings, they have to stop at the front door and be buzzed in. We have a police liaison officer. We have a positive and close relationship with the Novi Police Department."

Find out what's happening in Noviwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"But, I know that all of these efforts are for naught if we do not remain vigilant. Every day we must continue to do everything in our power to protect our students and staff."

"We have and will continue to pay attention. We will continue to prioritize safety by doing simple things like keeping our doors and windows locked, making sure we pay attention to people who want to enter our buildings, and watching and reporting suspicious behavior."

"Each building has a safety and crisis plan that they revisit throughout the year."

"Our schools should be a place where our students are safe. Working together — our community and our schools — we can continue to build safe schools and a safe community."


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