The Bettendorf Community School District is working toward the integration of A.L.I.C.E., a safety program designed to provide students and staff greater options in dealing with an armed intruder situation. While Bettendorf CSD schools have procedures for handling such a scenario, district administration realizes additional options exist that reduce harm to students and staff in the event of an armed intruder.
The district will host public meetings to help the community learn more about A.L.I.C.E. on Tuesday, January 29 & Wednesday, January 30 – 6-7 p.m. at the Mississippi Bend AEA 800 23rd St., Bettendorf.
"Our district staff and board of education all believe it is of paramount importance to provide the safest possible learning and working environments for our students and staff," said Dr. Theron J. Schutte, Superintendent. "Know that we continue to be vigilant in our efforts to keep our students and schools safe. We are committed to reviewing, revising and developing plans, procedures and protocols to prevent or mitigate the exposure to harm in our schools."
A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) is an approach that presents additional options in the event of an armed intruder. The Bettendorf Police Department, Scott County Sherriff's Department, and the City of Bettendorf advocate schools integrating A.L.I.C.E. Our police liaisons, security officers, and secondary administrators have received official training in the A.L.I.C.E. approach. Middle and high school staff and the Bettendorf Board of Education have also received an overview of the program. The district's elementary staff members are being introduced to A.L.I.C.E. at an inservice in January.
The district's plan is to integrate A.L.I.C.E. as another resource in helping students and staff be more prepared in the case of a potentially life threatening situation.
Central Community School district in DeWitt, Iowa integrated A.L.I.C.E. into its school district emergency protocol earlier this school year.
(Submitted content)
