BAY MINETTE, Alabama — The Baldwin County School System sent alerts to parents and school employees for crisis management Friday and principals were ordered to review and practice safety procedures in the wake of a mass killing of 20 students and seven school staffers at a Newtown, Conn. school, according to Terry Wilhite, director of communications.

The first message sent via a rapid notification system contained tips from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) for crisis management.

The second was from Superintendent Alan Lee assuring parents that the school staff has counselors and procedures in place to protect students.

 “I am certain that you all join me in deep sorrow in association with the horrible tragedy at the Connecticut school,” Lee stated. “I am certain that you, like me, cannot imagine the horrific events and would do anything possible to assure that such an occurrence never happens in Baldwin County."

 “All of Baldwin County Public Schools’ staff will continue to be vigilant and thoughtful in taking care of our most precious resource. We will continue to enlist the techniques shown to be effective in protecting our children.  We will have conversations and planning sessions with local law enforcement to make certain our efforts are coordinated."

"We appreciate all that our law enforcement agencies do to help us keep our students safe.” Wilhite said.  "The school system has a school crisis team specialized in prevention, intervention and response trained by NASP. Each administrator has also been trained by NASP."

 “The counsel of the experts is that we adults stay strong and calm and that there be as much normalcy and routine as possible,” Wilhite said. “Our counselors are close every day for children who need help, no matter what their concerns.  We have an excellent working relationship with Sheriff Huey 'Hoss' Mack and his force, and the municipalities and their chiefs. As most safety and security plans should be, we do a lot that never meets the eye.”

Wilhite noted the appearance of a stranger two weeks ago who never made entry to a school. Officers quickly arrived and all law enforcement agencies were immediately alerted through the school system’s rapid notification system.

 “We will continue to enlist the techniques shown to be effective in protecting our children,” Lee said. “We will have conversations and planning sessions with local law enforcement to make certain our efforts are coordinated. We appreciate all that our law enforcement agencies do to help us keep our students safe.”