KM EXCLUSIVE NEWS BREAK

Notice from the Superintendent regarding the events of March 17th, 2003.

Dear Parents,

This morning, March 17th, at approximately 8:50am, the school received a bomb threat via a telephone call taken by the school’s receptionist. Immediately, the school enacted security procedures that involved (a) sweeping the Hall to establish a “safe zone” and (b) evacuating all the children to the safe zone in an orderly fashion. Also according to procedure, we contacted the ROP and the American and British Embassies.We were advised at around 9:30 to clear out the campus so that the police could make a sweep of the entire premises. Teachers and staff immediately brought all the children out into the exterior parking lot, again according to procedure. At around 10:00, it became apparent that the police sweep of the campus would take several hours. At that point, the administration made a decision to call into effect plans to gather all the children at the Rugby Club. The PTA phone tree was activated and parents and guardians were contacted to take their children home from there.

It should be noted that students were informed that an emergency evacuation drill was in effect. I was most impressed with the calm and responsible manner in which both students and faculty followed the necessary directions.

What I wish to bring to your attention is the following:

1. In such a situation it is imperative that parents remain calm. Your reaction will affect your child’s disposition.

2. Parents must ensure that the emergency contact number on the PTA phone tree is accessible, and that you carry your GSM with you at all times. Any changes to your contact number must be reported to the school office and your child’s homeroom parent immediately.

3. Parents assigned the task of homeroom contact parent must keep their phone list with them at all times, and contact parents must remain calm when contacting other parents.

I was impressed with how well our evacuation procedures ‘flowed’. I extend my sincere thanks to Mrs. Sylvie Van Thiel and Mrs. Sue Khammash for their efforts this morning in contacting homeroom parents. The ABA staff was also superb in terms of their professionalism and calm.

At around 1:00pm, the ROP completed a thorough sweep of the campus finding nothing and assured us that every effort is being made to trace the caller. Please note that the scheduled University Night due to be held tonight will be postponed until further notice. School, however, will resume tomorrow at the usual time. Students may pick up their bags in the rooms where they left them. If students had left bags in an unsecured place, they can get information on the bags’ wherabouts from their homeroom advisors.

We hope that this event will be the first and last of its kind in ABA’s history. Unfortunately, given the tenor of the times, this may not be the case. Rest assured that all our efforts are focused on placing the safety of students, staff and visitors first. All inconveniences caused because of misguided actions must come second.

Sincerely,

MONA NASHMAN-SMITH SUPERINTENDENT

The School which caters for 500-600 students aged between 3 and 18 from over 50 different countries received bomb hoax from anonymous callers. It offers an international educational curriculum, taught in English, drawing on the expertise of approximately 90 staff who offer the best educational practices from their home countries. The staff come mainly from the UK, USA and Canada, but other countries currently represented include Australia ,Ireland, New Zealand, India, South Africa and Venezuela. The Institution , a symbol of British and American establishment in the Gulf region was closed down during tense international periods in the past. Watch this space.