Safety and Security Newsletter
West Perry School District - August 2023
We are All Members of the Safety and Security Team
Administrators, teachers, staff, students, parents, and guardians fulfill various roles in our schools, and all of those roles support safety and security. Custodians, maintenance, office staff, administrators, teachers, nurses, aides, technology staff, counselors, food service, bus drivers, and even students, parents, and guardians are part of the safety and security team. Awareness is key to maximizing the effectiveness of our safety and security efforts. Everyone plays a crucial role in ensuring school safety and security. Here are some ways you can contribute to maintaining a safe environment:
Students
You are the eyes and ears of the school. Many times you see and hear things that the adults at school do not. You can help keep everyone safe by:
- Reporting safety and security concerns. If you notice any suspicious activity, potential threats, or unsafe conditions, you should immediately report it to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, counselor, or school administrator. This includes reporting bullying, harassment, or any behavior that makes them feel unsafe.
- Participating in safety drills. You should take safety drills seriously and actively participate in fire drills, lockdown drills, or any other safety exercises conducted by the school. Familiarity with the procedures and understanding how to respond appropriately can save lives during emergencies.
- Promoting a positive school culture. This helps prevent incidents of bullying and violence. You should treat your peers with respect, kindness, and empathy. If you witness bullying or exclusion, you can intervene or report it to a trusted adult.
Parents and Guardians
You know your child best and are entrusting your child to the school district. You can help ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone by:
- Staying involved in your child’s school experience. By keeping open lines of communication with school administrators, teachers, and staff, you can stay informed about what is happening at your child’s school.
- Promoting a culture of safety with your child. You can encourage your child to report bullying, harassment, and any suspicious or concerning activities to a trusted adult at school or at home. Foster an environment where your child feels comfortable discussing their experiences and concerns with you or with trusted school personnel. Teach them about personal safety, online safety, and the importance of maintaining a positive and respectful environment.
- Promoting transportation safety. If your child takes the bus, drives, or walks to school, ensure they follow safe practices. Teach them about traffic rules, safe crossing, and following school transportation rules. Please, communicate with the school and transportation providers to address any safety concerns.
- Monitoring online activity. You can keep an eye on your child's online activities and educate them about internet safety. Teach them about the risks of sharing personal information online and how to report any inappropriate or threatening behavior.
- Supporting your child’s mental health. Pay attention to your child's emotional well-being and address any signs of distress or mental health issues. You can collaborate with the school to promote your child’s mental well-being and ensure access to appropriate resources.
Bus and Van Drivers
You are the first and last school adult to see most of our students each day, and you play an essential role in keeping everyone on your bus or van safe by:
- Fostering positive relationships with students and parents to create a sense of trust and community. It helps students feel comfortable approaching the bus driver with any safety concerns they may have.
- Creating a welcoming and respectful atmosphere on the bus. This can help reduce conflicts and maintain order. Bus drivers can encourage good behavior by setting clear expectations and treating students with respect.
- Knowing and enforcing the rules. You should be familiar with the school's safety policies and procedures and should enforce rules related to student behavior on the bus.
- Being vigilant and observant. You should remain attentive and observant while driving and when students are boarding or leaving the bus. You can report any suspicious activity or individuals to the appropriate authorities or school personnel.
Maintenance and Custodians
You are the only staff that knows our buildings inside and out and can help ensure everyone's safety by:
- Inspecting school premises for any potential safety hazards, such as broken windows, damaged doors, malfunctioning locks, fire hazards, blocked exits, or slippery surfaces, as you perform your regular duties.
- Promptly reporting issues for correction or repairs to prevent unauthorized access or accidents.
- Building positive relationships with staff and students to create an atmosphere of trust and open communication.
Office Staff
You interact with a wide range of employees, parents, guardians, and community members. You can help ensure a safe environment by:
- Promoting a safe and welcoming atmosphere, which helps create an environment where safety concerns are more likely to be reported and addressed.
- Being knowledgeable about the school's emergency protocols, such as evacuation plans, lockdown procedures, and medical emergency response.
- Maintaining secure access control to the building by monitoring entrances and exits to ensure they are secure and ensuring that unauthorized individuals do not enter the school premises. Front office staff plays a crucial role in controlling access. You can ensure that all visitors sign in, and wear identification badges.
Administrators
You play a key role in planning and prevention activities by:
- Staying informed about current best practices, safety guidelines, and technological advancements related to school security.
- Regularly reviewing and updating safety policies, procedures, and plans that address various emergency scenarios, such as natural disasters, intruders, or medical emergencies.
- Ensuring staff training.
- Conducting regular safety drills.
- Conducting risk assessments in coordination with other trained staff.
- Fostering a safe and inclusive school culture by encouraging open communication, empathy, and respect among students and staff to help prevent conflicts and create a supportive atmosphere.
Teachers and Staff
You spend the most time with our students and play a critical role in ensuring a safe and secure learning environment by:
- Being knowledgeable about the school's emergency protocols, such as evacuation plans, lockdown procedures, and medical emergency response.
- Monitoring and reporting any unusual or suspicious behavior you notice among students, visitors, or colleagues. This includes reporting potential threats, bullying incidents, or signs of distress in students.
- Maintaining secure access control to the building by monitoring entrances and exits to ensure they are secure and ensuring that unauthorized individuals do not enter the school premises.
- Supervising common areas such as hallways, cafeterias, playgrounds, and other common areas to help prevent and address potential safety concerns. Staff should actively monitor student interactions, intervene in conflicts, and promptly address rule violations.
- Promoting positive and respectful behavior to help cultivate a safe and inclusive school climate by fostering a culture of respect and empathy.
- Building positive relationships with students to create an atmosphere of trust and open communication. When students feel comfortable approaching teachers and staff, they are more likely to report concerns or seek help when needed.
Nurses and Counselors
Your unique perspective and specialized training can significantly enhance our schools' safety and security. You provide valuable service to our students by:
- Building strong relationships with students, gaining their trust, and creating open lines of communication. This enables students to feel comfortable reporting safety concerns or seeking help when needed.
- Using your training to recognize signs of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, or behavioral issues to provide early intervention and appropriate support. This helps prevent potential conflicts or incidents that might compromise school safety.
- Conducting risk assessments in coordination with other trained staff.
- Supporting crisis intervention by providing immediate support to students, staff, and families. You can offer counseling services, facilitate debriefing sessions, or refer individuals to appropriate mental health professionals for further assistance.
Food Service Workers
You provide an essential service to our students and can help ensure a safe environment by:
- Promoting positive and respectful behavior to help cultivate a safe and inclusive school climate by fostering a culture of respect and empathy.
- Ensuring that your food service area is secure by keeping doors locked when not in use and reporting any broken locks or security vulnerabilities.
- Ensuring that food storage areas are secure and that only authorized personnel have access. This helps prevent tampering, contamination, or unauthorized access to food supplies.
How to Report a Concern:
Students:
Report concerns to a trusted adult or anonymously through Safe2Say if appropriate.
Parents and Guardians:
Report concerns to the appropriate school staff member, such as your child’s teacher, coach, or building administrator. Threats should be reported to the building administrator or anonymously through Safe2Say. Additionally, general non-emergency safety concerns can be reported through safety@westperry.org.
Employees:
Report concerns to your building administrator or building safety committee representative. Threats should be reported to the building administrator, any member of the threat assessment team, or through Safe2Say. General non-emergency safety concerns can be reported through safety@westperry.org. Additionally, employees should submit work orders for needed repairs that are causing any safety concerns.
Safe2Say
Safe2Say Something is a Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General youth violence prevention program. Anonymous tips can be reported by calling 1-844-SAF2SAY(723-2729),at https://www.safe2saypa.org/, or through the app https://www.safe2saypa.org/download/
Once a tip is submitted, the Crisis center reviews, assesses, and processes all submissions and then sends all submissions to school administration and/or law enforcement for intervention.
Everyone plays a vital role in supporting school safety and security, and when we all work together, we can ensure a comprehensive approach to school safety.
For More Information:
Email: lclouse@westperry.org
Website: https://www.westperry.org/district/school_safety_and_security
Location: 2606 Shermans Valley Road, Elliottsburg, PA, USA
Phone: 717-789-3934