It is with deep sadness that I write to you after the indescribable ...

To the Ansonia Public Schools Community:
It is with deep sadness that I write to you after the indescribable tragedy at Sandy Hook
Elementary School in Newtown that took the lives of 20 innocent children and six educators,
who made the ultimate sacrifice. The indelible images of terror and grief, and the feelings
of loss, are fresh in our minds and hearts. We send our love and support to the children,
parents, faculty and citizens of our neighboring community of Newtown.
I want to state emphatically that since Friday, we have been on heightened security in our
own schools in Ansonia, and additional measures and supports are being put in place for
this entire week. Your children’s safety, and the safety of all of our school staff, is
paramount. Therefore, please accept our apologies if we limit or cancel programs and
activities as we take these steps to improve security in our schools.
Since Friday, Ansonia Police Officers have been in our schools. This will continue all this
week. Ansonia Police Chief Kevin Hale, with the support of Mayor James Della Volpe, is
coordinating this security measure.
There will be heightened security for all school day and after school programs. Elementary
school students will not be going outside for recess. All student programs scheduled this
week in our schools will be limited to students and staff. We are not opening any
presentation to parents or the community.
Our teachers and support staff will be available to speak with your children if they are
anxious or concerned about the tragedy. Parent Child Resource Center of Derby is providing
each of our schools with an additional counselor today and tomorrow.
I will now share information about the security system we have in each of our schools. All of
our schools have both a camera system that is a direct feed into the main office and a
magnetic lock system at one entrance door of each facility. The camera system helps the
main office staff identify anyone wishing to enter the building. Once recognition is made,
the magnetic lock is de-energized, and the door is unlocked allowing that individual to enter
the building. The front doors will be the only doors available for anyone – parents, students,
staff, or community members – wishing to enter the building.
Working closely with the Ansonia Police Department., we will continue to re-evaluate all of
our emergency procedures. As further improvements and changes are made, we will post
information on our website, www.ansonia.org, and when necessary, we will use our
Connect-Ed automated calling system to keep our families and staff informed.

How can you support and help protect Ansonia’s children? Be aware of your surroundings.
Please cooperate if you are questioned when trying to enter one of the schools. Finally, if
you or your child needs additional support in coping with this tragedy, contact the United
Way of Connecticut’s 2-1-1 services at http://www.211ct.org or the Disaster Distress
Helpline (1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746).
Gov. Dannel Malloy has declared Friday, Dec. 21 as a Day of Mourning in the State of
Connecticut. As he has requested, we will observe a moment of silence at 9:30 a.m. in all of
our schools, honoring the 26 lives lost in the Dec. 14 tragedy.
Finally, just a reminder: Schools will be closed from Dec. 24-Jan. 1 and will reopen on
Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013.
Sincerely,
Carol Merlone
Superintendent of Schools