October 27, 2022
from Bill Hudson, head of school
Like many of you, the first indication of a security issue was the generalized alert I received on my cell phone yesterday morning. MPA did not receive any advance notification or information. The school is fortunate to have a very constructive relationship with the Maplewood Police Department and I was caught off guard by the notification on my cell phone. Fortuitously, MPA has a very detailed and comprehensive emergency preparedness and crisis plan and we have drilled enough times that emergency response is instinctive. We are able to quickly implement a safety and security plan with the information we have available that is also flexible so that we can adapt to an evolving crisis.
Aside from the situation on Tuesday, we had an actual medical lockdown at the end of Grandparents and Special Friends Day on October 19 and a full lockdown drill on Monday, October 17. We are required by the State of Minnesota to hold five lockdown drills each school year. Research by our own current parent, James Densley, professor, author, co-founder of The Violence Project and a national authority on mass shootings, demonstrates that despite the high-profile nature of school shootings, schools remain one of the safest places. Knowing how to respond during a crisis helps everyone stay calm, understand their role, and act as safely and efficiently as possible. Again, balance is essential between being prepared and causing anxiety about something unlikely to occur.
I want to provide some background information so you understand our priorities in a crisis and how decisions are made. Our first priority is always to keep all students and employees safe. Our second priority is to communicate as soon and as often as possible with as much information as we have at the moment. We were in a rather unique situation Tuesday due to the generalized alert received on our cell phones. Our first decision was to call a medical lockdown based on what we knew at that time and because exterior doors are always locked throughout the day. Why a medical lockdown? At the moment, it provided the right level of safety and security necessary so that instruction and activities could continue in classrooms and we could limit movement within the building until we had more information.
We then called our police liaison officer with the Maplewood Police Department, who knew the situation was unfolding in Roseville, and advised us to shelter in place and keep everyone in the building until further notice. Accordingly, I did not call a full lockdown, which would have meant unnecessarily pausing instruction and locking and securing classroom and office doors. When it was confirmed that there was no immediate threat in the area near MPA, I called an end to the medical lockdown but kept all students and employees indoors. Finally, when we were told the situation had ended, I made the call to return to the day as usual.
Tuesday’s event was a rapidly unfolding situation with limited official information from law enforcement that came in fits and starts. Because of our commitment to open, frequent, and transparent communication, I decided to share what we knew as it became available with employees and the larger MPA community. Depending on the situation and the information available and because I have great faith and confidence in our valued employees who are entrusted with the safety of our students, I do not hesitate to share specific, critical information necessary for them to fulfill their responsibilities. They have been well-trained and have the ability to handle a crisis calmly, caringly, and professionally.
MPA is committed to creating and sustaining a safe, nurturing school community where students are known, respected, and loved. At MPA, any conversation about safety and security must begin with, and be grounded in, our school’s mission and culture. A positive and healthy school culture starts with connections—strong and overlapping interactions among all members of the school community. Conflict resolution, character education, and positive interpersonal relationship skills are all essential factors that contribute to a positive school culture and climate and exponentially contribute to safety and security.
I was incredibly touched by the thoughtfulness of an anonymous parent who drove to YoYo Doughnuts in Minnetonka (the only bakery in the Twin Cities that is 100% peanut- and tree nut- free) on Tuesday afternoon to purchase doughnuts for all employees to express her gratitude for keeping MPA students safe. Thank you for entrusting your children to us, and please know how diligent we are in honoring your trust.
For more information regarding safety and security at MPA, please refer to this page of our website.
