Groton Interim Superintendent: School Staff, Police on Alert

Groton Interim Superintendent John Ramos said he has spoken to building principals and the Groton Police Chief following the school shooting this morning at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

 “I can say that staff in the buildings are on alert, that their sensibilities (and) that their practical instincts have been heightened, and that we’re working cooperatively with the police department to ensure the safety of all of our children,” Ramos said.

He said he was in a meeting with principals at about 11 a.m. when news of the shooting broke.

Ramos said he has since sent e-mails asking them to pay special attention to security and be prepared to deploy support teams of psychologists, social workers and guidance counselors on Monday for students and staff.

Ramos also spoke to Groton Town Police Chief Michael Crowley.

“While there’s no indication of any threat in our area, their patrol officers will be extra vigilant in their patrols of the schools in the next several days,” Ramos said.

He said one principal received a couple of calls from worried parents, but there have not been a lot of requests to take children out of school early.

The high school has put its crisis team in place for Monday to assist staff and students, and has security guards on alert, Ramos said.