Safety is an underlying theme in everything we do, and we want to remind our school community about the importance we place on student and staff safety every day at the Saratoga Springs City School District. This includes:
- Strong partnerships with local law enforcement
- Retired and current law enforcement on staff, including School Resource Officers
- Security staff, grounds monitors, and per-diem evening security at school buildings
- Surveillance cameras at all school buildings
- Secured entryways with double locked doors and an electronic visitor management system
- Ongoing training with District and School Emergency Response Teams
- Regular planning for emergencies including fire drills, lockdown drills, a shelter in place drill, and more.
As a District, we also continue to place a strong emphasis on supporting the emotional health and safety of our students. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is the approach our District uses to build a safe and effective school environment. PBIS is a systemic approach to improving the climate of a building by placing an emphasis on being proactive, preventative, and positive. Other supports we have added include Mental Health Clinics, Project Lift, Social Workers, and more.
While we have many structures and systems in place to create safe learning environments, we know that you also play a key role in maintaining safety. The District continues to embrace a “See Something, Say Something” campaign to raise awareness about the importance of being vigilant in our school community. The District also now utilizes the Safe School Helpline. Safety is everyone’s responsibility and we encourage you to keep this theme in mind year-round.
As a school community, safety is on our mind all of the time and we continue to evaluate how we can make improvements in this area.
Safe School Helpline
If you see something, say something! The Safe School Helpline is a convenient, confidential way for anyone to anonymously report information about situations that might affect safety at our schools. The Safe Schools Helpline is free and available 24/7. Examples of threatening situations include, but are not limited to: bullying, drugs, theft, thoughts of suicide, violence, or weapons. This number does not replace 911. Please call 911 if you know that an emergency is occurring.
To report a situation call (800) 418-6423 or 1-800-4-1-VOICE (ext. 359), text TIPS to 614-426-0240 (Please note that this number was updated on August 1, 2021) or complete an online report: www.safeschoolhelpline.com
Download the free mobile app on Google Play or on the App Store
In addition, trained counselors are available 365 days per year to talk with persons seeking assistance in coping with suicidal thoughts, depression, or feelings of loneliness and loss. Callers can press option ‘3’ when prompted.
Types of Emergency Responses:
In the event of an emergency, the Saratoga Springs City School District follows an emergency response protocol known as SHELL. So, what is it?
S-Shelter-in-Place: This procedure is used to shelter staff and students inside the building. An example when this could occur would be severe weather.
H-Hold-in-Place: This procedure is used to limit movement of students and staff while dealing with short-term emergencies. An example would be a medical emergency.
E- Evacuate: This procedure is used to evacuate students and staff from the building. An example would be a gas leak or a fire alarm.
L-Lockout: This procedure is used to secure school buildings and grounds during incidents that pose a concern outside of the school. An example would be a wild animal near the school or police activity in the area.
L-Lockdown: Used to secure school buildings and grounds during incidents that pose an immediate threat of violence in or around the school. School staff and students are trained in how to respond to a lockdown through drills and practice. These drills are conducted in an age-appropriate and trauma-informed manner. Please note: During an actual lockdown or a lockdown drill, the blue lights outside the school buildings will flash. If you see the blue lights flashing, do not approach or attempt to enter the building.