Stamford Public Schools To Address School Safety

STAMFORD, CT — The Stamford Public Schools District will provide an update and make recommendations for next steps related to school safety and mental health during the June 21 Board of Education Operations Committee meeting.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tamu Lucero made the announcement in her weekly message last Friday, following a lockdown of Rogers International School last week.

Last month, police said a man tried entering Davenport Elementary School.

According to the Stamford Advocate, on June 8, a man was spotted on the roof of Rogers International School, which prompted a lockdown of the building. The Advocate reported that the man, 19, was missing from Massachusetts.

"Around 9:15 [a.m.], the Stamford Police Department Patrol stationed at Rogers International School called a lockdown because a person was trespassing on the property," Rogers Principal Cathleen Cummings said in a message to families. "They immediately made contact with the person and the area was assessed. After the building and perimeter were cleared, the Stamford Police Department lifted the lockdown."

The Advocate said the man walked onto the roof from grass without having to climb. He was issued a summons for trespassing, and had been admitted to Stamford Hospital for a mental health evaluation.

"Once the lockdown was lifted, SPD officers and RIS staff walked the entire building and checked in on all of the classrooms," Cummings added. The RIS social and emotional support team met with every class and were available to meet with students individually.

In her weekly message to the district last week, Lucero said she was on the grounds at Rogers and witnessed the school's response.

"We want to praise both the staff and students at Rogers and Davenport schools for following our safety plan. I was on the campus of Rogers as the events unfolded and was able to witness the swift work of the staff and the Stamford police department," Lucero said. "We want you to know that the safety of students and staff is at the forefront of our thinking and planning. It is important to note that the Stamford Police Department and Joe Kennedy, our safety compliance manager, continue to assess these situations, our safety plans, and make recommendations."

Lucero said the district has requested safety and mental health be a standing agenda item on the Operations Committee.

"We are also in the process of developing a committee similar to our COVID-19 CORE committee to discuss school safety and mental health," Lucero added.

Read more from the Stamford Advocate