Safe schools grant to fund safety kits

The kits will contain first-aid materials, survival radios, water, light sticks and other essential safety supplies. Teachers will have a "Grab and Go Bucket" in their classrooms stocked with safety supplies and critical information to use during emergencies. The "Shelter-in-Place" kits will contain plastic, duct tape and other supplies needed during incidents which compromise air quality and require students and staff to stay inside.

"These kits make it easy for staff and contain supplies that are needed during a crisis," District Safe Schools Committee Chair Mark Higgins said. "We believe these kits are an essential part of our emergency preparedness. Eventually we would like to see them in every classroom."

According to Higgins it was a team effort to secure funding from this competitive grant.

"The credit needs to go to Pioneer Middle School Dean of Students Judy Anderson, Garrison Middle School Secretary Karen Sippert and Lincoln Graduation Outreach Coordinator Jason Harrison for pursuing this grant," Higgins said. "Their hard work was the key to receiving this funding. District Grants Coordinator Judy Gwinn also played a critical role in getting these funds by completing the online grant application. We also need to recognize Pioneer Principal Dana Jones, Garrison Principal Gina Yonts and Lincoln Principal Jim Sporleder for their leadership and support of this project."

Anderson is in the process of ordering supplies for the kits which are expected to be in classrooms later this spring.