Dear Jamesville-DeWitt families and staff,
The recent tragedy in Bend, Oregon, has weighed heavily on all of us. On behalf of the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District, our deepest sympathies go out to the victims, their families, and the entire community affected by this heartbreaking incident.
Moments like this naturally bring safety to the forefront of our minds. Please know that protecting our students and staff is our highest priority, and we take daily measures to ensure our schools remain safe and welcoming places to learn. We work in close, continuous partnership with the Town of DeWitt Police Department, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, and local emergency responders. Our partnership with DeWitt police also helps us provide dedicated School Patrol Officers (SPOs) at each of our five buildings. These retired law enforcement officers provide increased safety and security. The districtwide safety team regularly reviews and updates emergency protocols in alignment with guidance from the New York State Education Department and New York State Police.
We also recognize that news of this nature can raise difficult questions and concerns for students, families, and staff. Our district support teams—including school counselors, psychologists, and social workers—are readily available across all of our buildings to offer support for any student who needs it at any time.
Keeping our school community safe is a responsibility we all share. We ask that you speak with your children about the crucial role they play in school safety. Please reinforce the importance of following established safety routines and encourage them to always confide in a trusted adult if something ever feels wrong. If a parent, staff member, or community member ever has a safety concern or information to share, do not hesitate to reach out directly to building principals or the district office.
We remain committed to keeping our schools safe. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership as we work together to keep Jamesville-DeWitt a place where everyone feels secure, valued, and ready to learn.
Sincerely,
Darcy Woodcock
Superintendent of Schools