WCPSS Distributes Emergency Supplies To Teachers
June 16, 2004 - Teachers at new WCPSS schools will soon receive emergency kits filled with supplies for their classrooms, part of the WCPSS Security Department's crisis response plan for the 113,000 students expected for 2004-2005.
 WCPSS Security Department staff prepare materials for delivery to teachers. |
John Rothecker, WCPSS Security Department Interim Director, has worked with WakeMed, Office Depot and the Wake County PTA Council to supply the emergency kits for teachers at the seven new schools that will open this year.
"These kits contain the materials we provide teachers as preparation for a major crisis," said Rothecker. "Each kit contains supplies and information teachers have been trained to use as part of the school system's Critical Incident Response Plan. We hope none of our schools face an emergency, but we have worked to prepare schools for a crisis. These emergency kits are part of that preparation."
Each emergency kit includes information and supplies such as tissues, band-aids, alcohol swabs, wet wipes, paper bags, cake icing, note pads, zip lock bags with latex gloves and gauze pads and pencils.
Rothecker recognized the Wake County PTA Council for their assistance in obtaining the supplies. He thanked WakeMed and Office Depot for their generous donations. Nancy Caggia of the Wake County PTA Council Safe School Committee, David Gardner of Wake Med and Gary Finch of Office Depot were instrumental in getting these supplies for teachers.
This is the third year in a row that WakeMed has contributed items for the emergency kits. This is the first year Office Depot has made contributions.
A WCPSS Crisis Management Task Force established the Critical Incident Response Plan in 2001. Rotchecker said the school system annually provides training and materials for the emergency kits.
Emergency kits and supplies are being delivered to the schools now. Training will be offered for school staff in July at the WCPSS Continuous Improvement Conference and later in the 2004-2005 school year.
The seven new schools opening in 2004-2005 include Forestville, Highcroft, Jones Dairy and Turner Creek elementary schools, Heritage and Salem middle schools and Knightdale High School.
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