February 20, 2020

Dear Sand Creek High School and Springs Ranch Elementary School Families,

On Thursday, at approximately 8:45 a.m., our law enforcement partners at the CSPD told SCHS administrators as well as D49 safety and security about a suspicious incident in a nearby neighborhood. Following the guidance from CSPD, and out of an abundance of caution, administrators initiated a lockout status at SCHS and SRES as police carried out a thorough scour of the area around our campuses. Students and staff remained inside the buildings, and the schools restricted visitors, which follows our lockout procedures.

SCHS and SRES carried on with regular activities indoors as our partners at CSPD carried out their mission, and our students and staff remained safe. Administrators lifted the lockout when CSPD gave the all clear, at 9:07 approximately 20 minutes after the initial alert.

D49 thanks our law enforcement partners and encourages all of our staff, students and families to stay alert and report any suspicious activity. We will stay proactive and partner with local law enforcement to ensure a safe learning environment awaits every District 49 learner.

Sincerely,

David Nancarrow
Director of Communications

Good morning Sand Creek High School families,

This morning SCHS Administrators, in collaboration with District 49's safety and security team conducted a lockdown drill incorporating our Blue Point Alert system. This was only a drill.

This drill started at approximately 9:15 a.m. as part of ongoing efforts to continuously strengthen our safety procedures. Drills like this help SCHS maintain a safe atmosphere and remain prepared in case of an emergency. In the event of an actual emergency, you would be notified via a phone message, text, and/or email.

Please take this opportunity to review and update the emergency contact information you have registered in parent portal.

Please contact SCHS with any questions.

Sincerely,

David Nancarrow
Director of Communications

January 15, 2020

Dear Sand Creek High School Families,

Wednesday morning at approximately 9:30, two SCHS students were assaulted by three people in the visitor parking lot. One of the suspects is known to the students and was previously enrolled at SCHS. As soon as the assault was reported to SCHS staff, administrators immediately notified the D49 safety and security team along with our law enforcement partners at the Colorado Springs Police Department. The suspects left campus, and the students received appropriate medical attention. The initial investigation determined this was an isolated incident, and there is no threat to the safety of students, staff and the SCHS campus.

D49 safety and security worked closely with CSPD on the initial investigation into the assault which included a thorough sweep of the campus and surrounding area. SCHS administrators immediately restricted access to the visitor parking lot, and out of an abundance of caution, will increase the security presence on campus throughout the remainder of the day and after school. Any other information about the investigation will be managed by our law enforcement partners.

SCHS is operating as normal, but with a heightened awareness during the investigation, and our students and staff are safe. We thank our law enforcement partners and encourage all of our staff, students and families to stay alert and report any suspicious activity. As always, we thank you for your trust and understanding. We’ll remain proactive and partner with local law enforcement to ensure a safe learning environment awaits every District 49 learner.

Sincerely,

David Nancarrow
Director of Communications

November 6, 2019

Dear Sand Creek High School Family,

D49 safety and security along with SCHS administrators and our law enforcement partners at the Colorado Springs Police Department are actively monitoring reports submitted through Safe2Tell related to a recent rumor circulating regarding SCHS. Continued talk and posts on social media are adding to the speed to which this unsubstantiated rumor is spreading. This evening our investigation into this rumor has determined there is no credible threat to the safety of students, staff, or the SCHS campus. We are working with our law enforcement partners to support the student who has been the subject of social media speculation.

We want to reassure you that we take each and every one of these matters very seriously. Out of an abundance of caution, our law enforcement partners and D49 safety and security will have an increased presence at SCHS Thursday, November 7.

SCHS will operate on heightened alert, but otherwise normal schedule Thursday as security, SCHS administrators, and CSPD continue to monitor the rumor closely. We encourage all of our students and families to stay alert and report any suspicious activity. We thank you for your trust, understanding and support in this matter. The safety of students, families and staff on our campuses is non-negotiable. We thank our law enforcement partners and will continue to work closely with them to ensure a safe learning environment awaits every District 49 learner every time they arrive at school.

Sincerely,

David Nancarrow
Director of Communications

Dear Sand Creek High School Families,

This evening D49 safety and security received reports through Safe2Tell about a rumored threat to SCHS circulating recently through social media. Our safety and security team, working closely with SCHS administrators and our law enforcement partners at the Colorado Springs Police Department, interviewed a student who is the source of the rumor. After speaking with the student and others with knowledge of the circulating story, our investigation determined there is no credible threat to the safety of students, staff, or the SCHS campus.

SCHS will operate normally as security and SCHS administrators continue to monitor the rumor closely. While treating every report seriously, we will not overreact to unsubstantiated rumors which have the potential to disrupt our mission of providing the best education to our students.

D49 thanks our law enforcement partners and encourages all of our students and families to stay alert and report any suspicious activity. We thank you for your trust, understanding and support in this matter. The safety of students, families and staff on our campuses is non-negotiable. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure a safe learning environment awaits every District 49 learner every time they arrive at school.

Sincerely,

David Nancarrow
Director of Communications

August 15, 2019

Dear D49 Families,

We are aware of local news reports about our law enforcement partners from the Colorado Springs Police Department working overnight in a neighborhood near SCHS. Although the investigation by the CSPD had no direct impact to SCHS overnight, our safety and security team will increase its presence around SCHS Thursday morning and throughout the day. 

SCHS will maintain a normal schedule Thursday, and we will stay in close contact with CSPD. 

We thank you for your trust, understanding and support. The safety of students, families and staff on our campuses and at all D49 buildings is a top priority. We will remain proactive to ensure a safe learning environment awaits every learner every time they arrive at school.

Sincerely, 

David Nancarrow

Director of Communications

May 2, 2019

Dear OES, ALLIES, SES, SRES, SCHS and PPEC Families,

On Thursday at approximately 8:41 a.m. our law enforcement partners at the Colorado Springs Police Department told our safety and security team a man who may have been armed was reportedly seen in an area just north of Sky Sox Stadium. D49 safety and security immediately notified the staff at Odyssey, ALLIES, Stetson and Springs Ranch Elementary Schools along with Sand Creek High School and Creekside Learning Center to go into lockout status as police searched the surrounding neighborhoods. Students and staff remained inside the buildings, and the schools restricted visitors, which follows our lockout procedures.

D49 safety and security lifted the lockout at SRES, SCHS and Creekside 16 minutes later at 8:57 a.m. when the CSPD determined there was no immediate threat to those campuses. OES, ALLIES and SES remained on lockout until approximately 9:20 a.m. at the request of CSPD, which continues to monitor the situation that caused the initial lockout announcement.

D49 thanks our law enforcement partners and encourages all of our staff, students and families to stay alert and report any suspicious activity. We’ll continue to be proactive and partner with local law enforcement to ensure a safe learning environment awaits every District 49 learner.

Sincerely, 

David Nancarrow
Director of Communications