District Increases Security at Trenton High School After Newtown Shooting

Students at Trenton High School will no longer be able to access the school through a door leading into the auto shop beginning Thursday morning.

Superintendent Rod Wakeham said the changes in security come after a gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School and took the lives of 20 children and six adults, according to Newtown Patch.

Wakehame said the the auto shop door was not used often as an entry point and remained locked throughout the day.

"Each of the buildings have looked at their routines and they felt we had a pretty good safety plan in place," Wakeham said. "They are reviewing the plan and increasing security where needed."

So far, the auto shop door is the only change in Trenton Public School district  security.

Wakeham sent a letter home to staff, parents and students Monday acknowledging the tragic event at Sandy Hook Elementary School, explaining security details and offering information about speaking to children about the event. The information was provided by the National Association of School Psychologists.

Here is a truncated version of the letter sent home to staff, parents and students (Click the photo section of this article for the full version of the letter in pdf format.):

• Limit exposure to the media -- radio, television and online. 
• Reassure children of their safety in our schools.
• Our schools have a daily security plan in place.
• Everybody plays a role in keeping our schools safe.
• Senseless violence is hard for everyone to understand.
• Violence is never a solution to personal problems.

"Please know that our teachers and school staff will emphasize these same messages," Wakeham said in the letter. "We will identify students who may need more support and use available resources."

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