Letter from Parkside Elementary School in San Mateo

							                                 SAN MATEO – FOSTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
                                       PARKSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
                                               1685 EISENHOWER STREET
                                               SAN MATEO, CA 94403-1098
                                                   Phone (650) 312-7327
                                                     Fax (650) 312-7638
                                                                                                 Lori Fukumoto, Principal
Dear Parents,

As you know, on Friday afternoon, September 21, 2012, Parkside Elementary school staff received a report from a 9 year-
old student that a stranger tried to abduct her from the school. The San Mateo Police were immediately notified and the
student is safe.

As of Saturday morning, the police arrested a suspect and he is now in custody. The SMPD continues to conduct follow-up
to this investigation and is reminding the community to please contact SMPD at the numbers below with any additional
information related to this incident:
     - SMPD Investigations – (650) 522-7650
     - SMPD Secret Witness Line – (650) 522-7676
     - Text Anonymously to SMPD – (650) 262-3473

                 On Wednesday morning at 8:30 am in the LGI we will be holding a parent meeting
                with Superintendent Cynthia Simms and San Mateo Deputy Police Chief Mike Callagy
                                 to address parent concerns about campus safety.
                                  All parents are encouraged and invited to attend.
                                Spanish translation and childcare will be provided.

This is a reminder to parents that our current practice on this campus is as follows:
    • No student drop-off until 8:00 am
    • Front doors are locked at 8:45 am
    • All visitors register in the office and wear a visitor badge while on campus.
    • Parents and staff should report any person on campus without a badge; ask the person to go to the Front Office
         and sign in.
    • Students should report anyone without a badge to an adult.
    • Timely notification of parents when emergencies occur.

And, effective immediately, all gates will be secured during the school day.

As educators, we strongly encourage parents to talk to your children about stranger awareness. Here are six tips:
    • Make sure that your child understands who a stranger is… it may not be a person that looks strange.
    • Make sure that your child knows his/her full name, address and phone number.
    • Be sure that your child knows how to call 9-1-1.
    • Encourage your child to go with a friend or a family member when they go somewhere and use safe routes not
       short cuts by vacant buildings, alleys or other potentially dangerous places.
    • Review scenarios that strangers might use to get your child into a car including offering candy, toys, money or
       asking for help.
    • If approached by a stranger, make sure that your child knows to run away, scream and find a trusted adult for help.

Again, we are taking this matter very seriously and appreciate your help.

Sincerely,
Lori Fukumoto
Parkside Principal