Weekly Safety and Security Update
April 27, 2023
Weekly Safety and Security Update 4.27.23.
Dear Hudson City School District community,
We continue to enhance safety and security in the Hudson City School District with a multi-pronged approach. We held lockdown drills, installed a more secure lockdown system and received crisis-response training. The school district also honored 120 students and two classes for their exemplary behavior and attitude.
As a key initiative, lockdown buttons have been installed at Hudson Junior-Senior High School. When activated, the system immediately locks exits and alerts law enforcement. Only the law enforcement agency can override the door-access controls. This system will be installed at M.C. Smith Elementary School next week. This is the first phase of lockdown upgrades. A second phase will include mass notification lights and strobes.
Yesterday, our staff took part in Questar III’s Columbia County Safe Schools Meeting. Topics included lockdowns and a recent “swatting” event in the region. Swatting is a prank call that brings emergency services to a school. Today, here in the Hudson City School District, we ran lockdown drills in all three of our schools.
Further, Questar’s Safety and Wellness Team provided Citizen Response to Active Shooter Event (CRASE) training at a recent joint faculty meeting of all three schools.
Key components of safety and security are students whose behavior and attitudes are exemplary, and our school district prioritizes recognizing and honoring such leadership. This week, the Hudson High School Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) Program held a pizza luncheon for more than 120 students. The honorees were nominated by their teachers for upholding PBIS pillars of being respectful, responsible, and safe.
In addition, two classrooms earned our AlphaHawk Award, given to a group of students that displays high levels of excellence and collaboration, takes on academic challenges with enthusiasm, and reflects PBIS values.
Recognition programs such as these are vital for a school climate that is not only safe, but positive, encouraging and productive.
As always, I urge you to share any suggestions, concerns and comments at
Thank you for your partnership and investment in our students’ futures.
Dr. Lisamarie Spindler
Superintendent of Schools
Hudson City School District