Springfield superintendent's statement about Newtown, Connecticut school shooting

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Daniel Warwick says that Friday morning's shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut is a "senseless tragedy."

In a statement sent to 22News, Warwick sought to reassure city parents about security measures taken in the city's public schools.

The statement is as follows:

It is hard to imagine a tragedy such as that experienced in Newtown, Connecticut today. Our hearts and thoughts are with those families.

This horrible event may have you wondering about safety protocols in place at Springfield Public Schools. 

We take student and staff safety very seriously at Springfield Public Schools and we have invested heavily in our security systems. Schools are equipped with cameras, door buzzers and other security equipment and personnel.

Access into schools is tightly controlled and schools practice lockdown strategies and also intruder drills. These exercises help staff and students know what to do in case of an emergency.

We will continue to practice these safety protocols with diligence and this year we have allocated an additional $1.2 million for security maintenance and further enhancements.

Senseless tragedies such as these leave us with a loss of words and we pray for the Newtown community.