TO ASPIRE OF WNY CENTER FOR LEARNING TEAM MEMBERS:
Team, thank you. Your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to our students’ success today were outstanding. We recognize that difficult situations require clear communication and decisive action, and we have implemented several changes based directly on the feedback and requests you shared with us. These updates are effective immediately as we work together to ensure the safety and continuity of our mission.
Enhanced Security & Access Procedures
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Area
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Update Details (Actionable)
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Secure
Lockout |
We will operate in a modified Secure Lockout tomorrow, Friday, October 31st. Employees and students with proper ID/access will be able to enter and exit via the main entrance, but all visitors will be denied access. This differs from a standard Secure Lockout, where employees and students can leave the building but not return after exiting. To understand the difference clearly, please speak with a member of the Center for Learning Leadership team if you have questions. Environment & Safety repair workers who have been screened and will be allowed in the building after 3:00 PM on October 31st, 2025, following student dismissal.
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Increased
Police Presence |
The Cheektowaga Police Department will be on site from 8:00–9:00 AM and 2:00–3:00 PM during peak arrival and departure times. They have also confirmed they will make frequent drop-ins, be immediately available if needed, and monitor the situation per their expertise.
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On-Site
Security & Admin |
A dedicated security guard (an active-duty police officer) will be posted at the main entrance during operational hours. Aspire of WNY’s Leadership and The Center for Learning Leadership team was actively involved today, supported by the agency administration team. The same will happen tomorrow to support the staff and students.
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Centralized
Entry Point |
All employees must use the Main Entrance for building access until further notice. The therapy and bus circle doors will remain locked, except for the bus circle door during the 8:00–9:00 AM and 2:00–3:00 PM bus windows (for student arrival/departure), where there will be additional supervisor oversight. For all other hours, for all employees, the main entrance must be used.
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Halloween Caution
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Per the memo distributed in person today, costume masks that fully cover the face and make a person unidentifiable will not be allowed during the Halloween celebrations tomorrow and until further notice.
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Improved Communication Flow
We heard your request to receive information more quickly. We are immediately updating our systems and validating School Messenger records to ensure all team members receive information promptly and reliably, even as we gather full details of a situation. We heard you that it is more important to know work is being done quickly, than it is to receive all information at once later in the day.
Please continue your reports of concerns & thoughtful ideas to the Center for Learning Leadership team, as your vigilant observations are valuable.
Please help us ensure our updates work: if you do not receive information via School Messenger, contact Megan Rechin (mrechin@aspirewny.org) immediately. Megan is the dedicated point of contact for any questions, ideas, or additional feedback you may have moving forward.
Our mission is to help the people we serve achieve their greatest potential. We are confident that by working together and addressing these operational systems based on your input, we can strengthen our community and continue to deliver excellent service.
Thank you,
Aspire of WNY Center for Learning Leadership Team