Dells Head Start receives reassurance from state-of-the-art surveillance system

By Tim Wohlers



Before someone noticed that the building lacked digital surveillance, the school had always been safe.  Not once had it fallen victim to any kind of illegal activity.  Nonetheless, two of the parents thought they should strengthen the school’s defenses against prospective wrongdoers.  So to step up security, Chad Strampe and his wife Anastasia decided to donate a state-of-the-art surveillance system to Neenk Chungra Head Start in Wisconsin Dells late last year. 
“We knew it was something that they really needed,” Strampe said, “(given) a lot of the unfortunate events that we’ve seen over the last few years.” 
Strampe owns and operates a Baraboo-based business called Star Connection, which has specialized in security systems for the last decade. 
“We’ve been in business over 20 years,” Strampe said.  “We started out doing satellite dishes.  That was kind of our big thing.  But we’ve done satellite dishes.  We’ve done cell phones.  And about 10 years ago, we got into security systems.” 
After realizing that Ho-Chunk’s Head Start in the Dells had no surveillance system, Strampe pitched the idea of getting one installed to Family and Community Partnership Coordinator Kathy Witkus.  Understanding the importance of safety at the school, Witkus was thrilled with the idea. 
“Having the security cameras on the outside of the building gives the parents extra peace-of-mind,” Witkus said.  “It’s just another safety precaution that we have.” 
One of the parents who appreciates that added precaution is David Abangan, Chair of the Parent Committee at Head Start.  With a daughter who attends the school in the Dells, Abangan wants to know that the students are safe. 
“It’s a pretty nice thing for the parents,” Abangan said.  “It creates a little bit of ease-of-mind, to the staff and the parents of the center, that there’s that protection in place.” 
The surveillance system constantly records all activity that takes place outside the doors of the school.  That way, the staff knows who’s coming and going at all times. 
“We can see everything that’s happening around the building,” Witkus said.  “We can see every door, pretty much every corner.” 
The donors felt that this knowledge was important for a school safeguarding so many children, even if the school had no money to pay for it.  That’s why Strampe and his wife donated the surveillance system free-of-charge. 
 “It was something that they needed,” Strampe said.  “But they just don’t have a budget for that type of stuff.  So we donated it.” 
Strampe’s wife, Anastasia understands the need for parents to contribute to their children’s schooling perhaps better than anyone.  Having grown up in Ukraine, she suffered the effects of school-budget shortages throughout her own education. 
“I think that’s definitely some of her motivation,” Strampe said, “(for doing) what she can to help others.” 
And the other parents seem grateful for the Strampes’ decision.  Needless to say, they appreciate the extra protection. 
“With all of the scary things that are happening around the world these days,” Abangan said, “having that there is another good safeguard.” 
The teachers agree. 
“With everything that’s going on in this world,” Witkus said, “it’s nice to see if there’s somebody out there.” 
Seeing that it was donated to the school, the surveillance system cost no extra money to Head Start.  And according to school staff, it will therefore remain in place for the foreseeable future. 
“That’s just part of the school now,” Witkus said.  “And that’s a good thing.” 


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