Safety Message from the Superintendent for the 2018-19 School Year

DISTRICT SAFETY UPDATE

2018-19 School Year

Eva Demyen, Superintendent of Schools

Below you will find an updated listing of measures and trainings to best assure the safety of all students and personnel:

• Drills of all types are conducted throughout the year
• Our Safety and Emergency Plans are in place, submitted and approved by SED and in the hands of SCPD and the State police
• Close relationship with SCPD 1^st Precinct and our SRO Officer Christine Amon.Officer Amon observes our drills and critiques
• SCPD as well as the SC Sheriff’s office will be conducting random threat assessments of all of our buildings
• Increased patrols by SCPD (see attached letters)
• Active Shooter Training of Administrators conducted in August of 2018 and ALL staff on September 4, 2018.
• Age appropriate assemblies for students on safety
• SCPD Programs we employ – NIXLE alerts, SCPD Shield special announcements, SAVE Hotline=panic button direct to SCPD in each building.SCPD RAVE – SCPD has all of our buildings’ floorplans, camera locations and in the near future, access to cameras for emergencies only.
• Special training for the superintendent by Homeland Security at Plum Island
• “Emergency Response Training” from Deer Park Fire Department
• “Stop the Bleed” – we were the first in SC to be trained by Stony Brook Medical Center trauma team and teams of teachers will receive this school year
• Security vestibule – man-trap at every school.
• Visitor Management system installed at all buildings. Records ID and issues a printed pass
• Security cameras at every school - yearly updates on locations
• Security guards posted at every school building and mobile security covering 22 hours each day.Two additional guards and an additional car have been added for 18-19
• At this time, there is no plan to hire armed guards; the majority of our guards and all future hires will be ex-police officers
• Threat Assessment Checklist and Suicide Assessment Checklist are used by administrators, psychologists and social workers
• Pre-K – 12 Social Emotional Literacy Program along with Mental Health curriculum– embedded in Literacy, PE classes & Health units

Message to Parents from SCPD:

• SMART 911 – sign up for rescue info filed with SCPD
• Report a concern or crime – 911 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-220-tips
• At any large gathering venue (mall, concert, park, movie theater, church) – be aware of the points of entry and exit…have a backup exit.Agree on a reunification location with your family.
• Encourage “See something, say something”
• Notify school if your child self-evacuates during a drill or emergency
• SCPD wants you to know to please keep access to school open – let emergency services do their job during an incident
• Reunification point will be sent to you via telephone, text and email, as soon as the situation is under control.

We have planned for the worst and always hope for the best.  Our children and staff must feel safe and supported in order for learning to occur.  

Thank you for your continued support,

Eva J. Demyen

Superintendent