SED Logo THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

Office of Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Continuing Education
James A. Kadamus, Deputy Commissioner
Room 875 EBA, Albany, NY  12234
(518) 474-5915

To:

District Superintendents of Schools
Superintendents of Schools
Superintendents of the Big 5 City School Districts
Nonpublic School Administrators
Charter School Administrators

Date: May 20, 2003

From:

James A. Kadamus

 

Subject:

Homeland Security for Schools - Updates

 

In reply to:

 

 

In keeping with actions taken by U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Governor Pataki, New York State is now at an Orange Alert Level. The Office of Public Security may be providing additional information. We will forward it to you if and when we receive it.

All New York State schools should follow the guidance for Orange Alert Level 2 in the NYS Homeland Security System For Schools that can be found on the EMSC website at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/. New York City remains at an Orange Alert Level; guidance on that level is also contained in the Homeland Security Document.

The differences between recommendations for actions at the Orange Alert Level and the Yellow Alert Level are summarized below:

Orange Level 2
(Current)

Yellow
(Previous, outside NYC)
  • Increase surveillance
  • Increase surveillance
  • Consider restricting parking near building
  • Consider restricting parking near building
  • Review building use permits
  • Review building use permits
  • Confer with authorities for further action
  • Confer with authorities for further action
  • Consider postponing field trips to certain locations

 
  • Heightened scrutiny of off-campus activities

 
  • Limit access to facilities

 
  • Review facility use

 

For schools planning student trips, overseas travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State are available at http://travel.state.gov/. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Laura Sahr at (518) 474-3906.

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