March 20, 2003

Dear Millikan Parent / Guardian,

We have now entered a war that is unique to our country in that there is a possibility of retaliation on our own homeland. This has never been experienced by any of us. The potential fear that this can inflict upon our homes, our communities and our country is tremendous. Throughout our country, many will try to be "normal". However, we believe that we may never be normal during this time of crisis.

We are doing everything possible to ensure safety on our campus. All procedures that we have practiced for drills in the past will be followed and enforced. Please review the lockdown procedures that are located in your teacher handbook and discuss them with your third and fourth period classes.

Please remind your student what to do in case of an emergency. Tell him to stay at school so you know where he is and that he is safe. We don't want students walking or running away from school into the unknown. We will have ways for you to systematically retrieve them from school. We need to have your updated home phone numbers and addresses in case you have moved. New emergency cards can be obtained from the Nurse’s office. We will be placing information on our website if we need to in case of emergency.

We are prepared with fresh water and supplies stored away for any emergency. We are well connected with our District Security and the Long Beach Police Department. We should have access to any information or necessities we desire.

We know students will most certainly want to discuss the situation as the war progresses. It is important to not seek out or place blame on any specific ethnicity or religion because of this conflict. Ours is a very culturally diverse school. We would like to see our students continue to work together as they have throughout the year. This is a time for us to remain calm and tolerant.

Any student who does make inappropriate comments or acts in a malicious way toward any student will not be treated any differently than at any other time. Punishment will be swift. We hold high expectations for all of our students. If someone is having difficulties, our school counselors, Stop-In Center, social workers and psychologist will be available at all times.

We want to thank you for your support in these troubled times. Working together we can assure you that your student is safe at school.

Sincerely,

Karen Brinkman, Co-Principal Dr. Jeff Cornejo, Co-Principal

(On the back of this letter, you will find some helpful links with information for talking to students about and preparing them to deal with terrorism and war.)

Education World, The Educator’s Best Friend
http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/profdev051.shtml

National Association of School Psychologists
http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/children_war_general.html

Talk with Your Kids (Children NOW and the Kaiser Foundation)
http://www.talkingwithkids.org/

U.S. Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/emergencyplan/

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
http://www.ready.gov

PNN Online
http://www.pnnonline.org/article.php?sid=4234

KidsPeace: The National Center for Kids Overcoming Crisis
http://www.kidspeace.org/war.htm

U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) For Kids
http://www.fema.gov/kids/

Red Cross (Disaster preparation and curricula)
http://www.redcross.org/disaster/masters/facingfear/
http://www.redcross.org/disaster/masters/facingfear/standards.htm/
(curriculum aligned with standards)
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/terrorism.pdf