Safety training starts dialogue with parents and school officials

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY)- The safety of students continues to be the priority of school officials at the El Centro Elementary School District.

On Thursday,  they held a meeting with parents on how they're training staff members if there were to be an active shooting and other scenarios.

Director of District Safety, John Beltran said, "We take their child's safety seriously here. We have a plan and place. We're taking additional steps in place beyond our standard response protocol to ensure the student's safety."

Gloria Valdez, who's a parent, said it's important to be involved with her child's education.

"As every parent I'm sure, you know dropping off our kids we never want to think that's going to be the last time we're going to say goodbye to them I love you. So we want to make sure that we are in a safe environment, they're in a safe place, and a safe school."

School officials urge parents to talk to their children, to make sure that they're prepared for any situation.  

Valdez added, "To be able to carry out a conversation with my child. To make sure that he knows what to do in the event that there's such tragedy that might hit his school."

Beltran said in 2019 alone, the district held 18 training drills with staff and students with the latest safety trends in education.

"Sometimes we want to think that we're secluded out here in Imperial Valley. But the reality is, is that we're a part of the United States. And anything can affect anybody at anytime. So we want to make sure that all of our responses are up to date. And they're accurate. And our students and staff know exactly what to do and how to do it," said Beltran.

School officials plan to hold another meeting like this for parents at the end of the month.