In light of last week’s tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut there will be some changes made in the way student safety is handled in some local schools.
 
Altoona Area School District administrators and school principals met with representatives from the Altoona Fire and Police Departments, Blair County EMA and the Logan Township Police Department this week to review safety plans and procedures currently in place at the District.  
 
As a result of this review a few immediate security measures will take effect.
 
The City police and Logan Township Police will include elementary schools within their jurisdiction into their daily patrols and police officers will periodically make themselves a visible presence within the schools.
 
The AASD Police Services Department personnel will also make periodic visits to all elementary schools.   
 
Paula Foreman, Altoona Area School District Community Relations Director, says that students and parents should not be alarmed when they see police vehicles parked outside schools or driving near or around school property. It’s simply part of the stepped up security measures.