Shaky day tests preparedness for earthquakes and emergencies

The 2013 Great American Shakeout is scheduled at 10:17 a.m. today as students throughout the district practice duck-and-cover drills, as well as school evacuation procedures.

Many schools also took the opportunity to use the drill as a teaching topic, helping students learn about how to handle emergencies, what causes earthquakes and other related subjects.

All district schools and sites have emergency response plans in place and are prepared should an earthquake or other disaster strike during school hours. Schools routinely practice emergency drills, including earthquake and fire.

For information on how to plan for and survive a 'quake, go to the district's Earthquake Preparedness page.

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Parents, be sure that dropoff and pickup are done safely

Here's a reminder to parents and guardians who drive their children to school to be sure to observe traffic patters and rules in and around your child's school.

Traffic can be an issue during the busy morning and afternoon hours, creating a mix of carloads of children, kids walking to school, kids riding bicycles to schools, school buses and other general neighborhood traffic.

"Most of our schools have specific traffic rules and routes for dropoff and pickup," said Chief Ruben Littlejohn of the San Diego Unified School District School Police Department. "These rules are designed to keep not only our students safe, but the drivers and vehicles moving in an orderly fashion."

For example, some schools have specific drop off and pickup areas. Parents are reminded to use these areas only, even if it seems an alternative might be just as safe or quicker. "Cutting" the line or dropping off children in the middle of the street are dangerous practices.

Drivers also need to observe not only student Safety Patrol traffic guards where on duty, but school staff directing traffic. The rules and situation at each school are unique to that campus.

"In many cases, traffic engineers have created the flow that is safest," said Littlejohn. "We ask that parents and guardians dropping off students be patient and follow the procedures."

Many schools are participating in the International Walk and Bike to School Day on Oct. 9. Your school's principal is a good place to start to find out more information about traffic plans and safe walking routes.

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Smart Start Program from San Diego County Sheriff brings together new drivers and parents/guardians

The Start Smart Program is an opportunity for new drivers and their parents/guardians to clearly understand their responsibilities when a teen starts to drive. Taught by trained law enforcement personnel, it creates awareness of possible consequences, both financial and physical, of distracted or impaired driving, and provides applicable information about collision prevention.

The class also clarifies the restrictions of the Provisional License Law and touches on social host ordinances. The often-graphic videos and daunting statistics provide a powerful reality check that lingers long after the classroom instruction.

Following the two-hour class, each teen is presented a certificate of completion along with a custom-designed key-chain bearing the theme of the Teen Safe Driving Program, which will serve as a reminder each time he or she starts the car. This is a concerted effort intended to reduce the risks associated with teen driving.

We encourage you to contact your local Sheriff’s station to sign up for a Start Smart class in your area. See the Sheriff's Department website for locations and times»

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Officers respond to call for help from Special Olympics

Officers from the San Diego Unified School District Police Officers participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting the Special Olympics of California.

“Our School Police Officers were honored to participate in the event and help raise awareness for Special Olympics,” said Michael Marquez, School Police Operations Lieutenant.
School Police participants in the May 28 event included Officers Luis Espinoza, John Ross, Cain Arrelano, Bashir Abdi, and Jenifer Gruner.

The officers joined more than 120 law enforcement agencies participating in the Torch Run, which began in Chula Vista on May 28 and will end in Los Angeles Saturday, June 8.


The southern leg route of the Law Enforcement Torch Run includes police officers, staff and law enforcement from the cities of San Diego, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad and Orange County.

The goal of the Special Olympics Torch Run is to raise awareness and raise funds for community-based support programs that help benefit people with intellectual disabilities. San Diego County Special Olympics reaches athletes from Oceanside to San Ysidro. The money raised helps pay for free, year-round sports programs and competitions.

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U.S. Senator Boxer promotes school safety bill in SD

IN THE NEWS: Mayor Filner, Senator joined by Board Members Beiser and Evans at Perkins K-8 to talk about school security.

Coverage

• UT San Diego»
• NBC San Diego»
• Fox 5 San Diego»
• KPBS»
• 10 News»
  

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Two Veteran Law Enforcement Officers Join School Police

Henry Ramelli, Moises Arellano

For the first time in four years, San Diego School Police added two officers to its ranks.

Moises Arellano and Henry Ramelli took an oath of office and were sworn in by Chief of Police Reuben Littlejohn during an official ceremony attended by Superintendent Kowba and others. The ceremony culminated with the badge pinning, during which Ramelli’s badge was pinned on by his wife, a recently retired San Diego Sheriff’s Department lieutenant; Arellano’s badge was pinned on by his daughter.

Moises Arellano moved as a kid from Los Angeles to San Diego and attended Clairemont High School. Passionate about serving his community, Arellano began his career as a campus security assistant with the San Diego Unified School District. He then joined the San Diego County Probation Department in 2004, spending most of his time mentoring and working with troubled youth in detention settings. In 2007, he was hired by the Calexico Police Department as a patrol officer.

Henry Ramelli began his law enforcement career with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department. He later transferred to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, where he recently retired after 25 years in the department. During his service, Ramelli worked detentions, uniform patrol, juvenile services, and on the Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving team. He was also a platoon leader on the County’s Mobile Field Force, a multi-agency unit that responds to regional emergencies.

The San Diego Unified School District would like to congratulate and welcome Officers Arellano and Ramelli.

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