September 28, 2022
Dear Parents and Guardians:
As we continue with this school year and head into our testing season, I want to take time out and thank you for all of your support and encouragement this year. I would also like to reiterate our commitment to school safety. Our school division has a comprehensive crisis plan in place to prepare for all types of emergencies. The plan is reviewed and updated annually with support from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office and is used daily to guide the safe operations of our schools.
The Sussex County School Division takes many steps to promote student and staff safety at school. As part of each school’s crisis plan, lockdown and intruder drills are held regularly in conjunction with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. As you know, our schools have safety procedures for visitors, such as locked entry doors and procedures for directing visitors to the main office for ID checks. In order to reassure students, staff, and community members, law enforcement also conduct additional routine patrols at each of our schools throughout the school year. Sussex County Public School’s Crisis Management Plan also includes natural disaster procedures as well. Therefore, fire, tornado, earthquake and hurricane drills are performed on a regular basis to ensure staff and students are prepared for any type of situation.
Moreover, we maintain school safety through the use of school surveillance systems, additional school radios, metal detector scanning, surveillance equipment on school buses, K-9 dog school patrol units provided by the sheriffs’ office, and strict communication with other local officials. We welcome your input as we strive to provide the safest learning environment possible.
If an emergency situation arises, the district will notify parents via phone and email with the Instant Alert system. Please make certain that your contact information is updated with your child’s school office and remember to let the school know whenever there is a change in address, phone number, or email. If you have not provided an email to the district and you would like to do so, please contact your school’s office.
Our administrators will be happy to speak with you if you have any questions or concerns. We thank you for the opportunity to serve your children and for the support you provide.
Sincerely,
Dr. Arthur L. Jarrett, Jr.
Arthur L. Jarrett, Jr. Ed.D.
Division Superintendent
21302 Sussex Drive ∙ Stony Creek, Virginia 23882
Telephone (434) 246-1099 ∙ Fax (434) 246-8214
