After Shooting, Poughkeepsie HS To Gradually Bring Students Back

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — In the wake of Monday's shooting near Poughkeepsie High School, officials will gradually bring students back for classes starting Friday.

In a letter to the community Wednesday, Superintendent Eric Jay Rosser said he met with high school staff to share what measures were being put in place to protect the entire school community.

He said staff shared their concerns and ideas "as we progressively move to stabilize the PHS school community."

The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department said there was a reported shooting around 3:15 p.m. Monday in the area of the high school.

Two teens were taken into custody, and one — a 13-year-old — was charged with criminal possession of a weapon.

Rosser said district and school staff will meet again Thursday to solidify the safety protocols for the return of students to the campus.

He said there was a need "to methodically transition students back into the school environment and execute a student support structure to address the trauma experienced by students."

Rosser said a modified attendance schedule for students was established:

• Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.: all 11th grade students report to PHS.
• Friday, 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.: all 12th grade students report to PHS.
• Monday, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.: all 9th grade students report to PHS.
• Monday, 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.: all 10th grade students report to PHS.
• Tuesday: Full day session for all students.

In a letter sent Tuesday, Rosser said there will be local and state law enforcement present during arrival and dismissal, additional technology to strengthen the school interior safety will be purchased, and additional temporary staff will be assigned to the high school until additional safety monitors can complete the civil service hiring process.

The instructional time students missed since the shooting will be made up during Regents Week in January.

Rosser said high school Principal Kelleyann Royce-Giron will be sending out additional information about what parents and students can expect with the modified attendance schedule and will be sharing the plan during a for-parents-only emergency conference call Wednesday.