Student safety is key at WCDS
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on April 14, 2015 1:46 PM
Keeping students safe and calm was the order of the day Monday at Wayne Country Day School, the private school located just around the corner from Wayne Community College.
Before the news had even circulated, school personnel became aware that something was amiss.
"We first found out when we saw cruisers going down the street," said Melissa Watkins, parent volunteer receptionist, who fielded media questions throughout the day.
The scene was reminiscent of a recent robbery that produced a similar response by law enforcement on Wayne Country Day Road, she said.
"We thought something else was happening. We didn't know until we received information from other people, bits and pieces," she said. "By about 8:45 we had locked down."
Headmaster Todd Anderson made the decision and staff complied, locking all the doors, pulling the shades and allowing no one to go outside.
"I think we actually put the chains across the driveway so people couldn't go to the Upper and Lower School parking lots, and primarily make sure no one leaves the building," Mrs. Watkins said.
The other priority was to maintain a sense of normalcy and where possible avoid a panic situation.
"We tried to keep things low-key, as far as the younger students," Mrs. Watkins said. "The Upper School kids, you can't keep it from them. We didn't want it to be a big drama."
She estimated she received between 30 and 40 calls from concerned parents.
In addition to reassuring the callers, other efforts were made to restore order.
"We minimized traffic outside the building," she said. "You make that call when it happens and you keep your eyes peeled."
It was especially challenging before they had a description of the suspect, she noted.
"We just tried to keep our eyes peeled and keep each other informed," she said. "There's no need to panic.
"Some of the parents wanted to know if they should come get their children."
Officials at the school knew the role they had to play, and bringing the school day to a grinding halt was not an option, Mrs. Watkins said.
"There's a perfect plan, and you have to adjust," she said. "You try to be smart about it and try to keep (things) as normal as possible for the children's sake."
Some "extraneous stuff" presented a challenge, but staff took it all in stride, she said.
"Our driver's ed teacher didn't show up today, we canceled those kinds of things," she said. "You just take measures and try to consider it as it comes."
One thing that helped was the support the school received from outside sources.
"We did get a call from the Chamber of Commerce, and we had the Protestant Preschool call us to find out what we're doing," Mrs. Watkins said. "At some point, a plainclothes policeman (was sent out), circulating and keeping an eye on the place."
The officer was on the campus for the bulk of the morning, she said.