We understand school security and crisis management planning is not something that can be put on paper and placed on a shelf. The safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority. As always, we have and will continue to review our plans in partnership with law enforcement and safety experts to ensure we are addressing needs specific to Seneca Valley.
PERSONNEL:
We currently have a full-time Safety & Security Supervisor (SSS)/School Police Officer (SRO). In addition, we have seven SROs in each Seneca Valley school who are at all times in uniform, armed, and highly trained and certified police officers with the Jackson Township Police Department (JTPD), Cranberry Township Police Department (CTPD) and Zelienople Police Department (ZPD). These officers work closely with administration to assist with our security needs and have developed an excellent rapport with staff and students. They also work with students to encourage positive and productive behavior.
CONTRACTED SERVICES:
The District maintains service contracts with several local police agencies to provide a visible presence in our schools. We have witnessed first-hand how these officers are positively interacting with our children, staff and community. We find that they not only protect our students and staff, they champion them by personally getting to know those in the building and participating in activities. We also have a contract with a security service to provide interior and exterior coverage and foot patrols at each school anytime the District is in session.
TRAINING:
As you can imagine, crisis response in education is real and training is vitally important. According to the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, advanced planning and joint training are essential to ensure the response is rapid and effective. As part of the previously mentioned law enforcement collaboration, our staff has and will continue to take part in various trainings, a combination of virtual and hands-on review, with such topics as active shooter drills, CPR, Stop the Bleed, and Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate (ALICE) training.
Emergency and inclement weather drills are also practiced with students and they are instructed by their teacher on the appropriate course of action as called for given the situation. Lockdown drills will occur within the first 90 days of school and will replace a fire drill during that time.
MONITORING:
The District utilizes a weapons detection system (that is similar to a traditional metal detector but uses current technology) and canine search teams on our secondary campus, grades 7-12. These proactive measures will be held at random and unannounced times, possibly generating calls to home from our students. Please know we create these opportunities to help ensure student safety and send a clear message to our student body that weapons and drugs are prohibited and the use/possession of them will not be tolerated.
COMMUNICATIONS:
While we provide numerous efforts to maintain physical security in our schools, we believe it is imperative that communications play an important role in maintaining a safe school environment. Whether you choose to contact us directly or utilize Sprigeo, our online reporting system (a link can be found via this page), we can’t emphasize enough how important it is to share with us information you may hear from your child or within the community. When you see something, SAY something! We take very seriously reports of these kinds and can assure you we will investigate them thoroughly.
Below is a list of the continuing safety efforts that Seneca Valley employs:
- School Police Department with a full-time Safety/Security Supervisor
- Three uniformed, armed school resource officers/Jackson Township Police Officers on the 7-12 secondary campus anytime school is in session
- Service contracts with Cranberry Township and Zelienople Police Departments for regular patrols at all our K-6 sites with uniformed and armed police officers who are now full-time SROs in the District
- Mental Health Services – we have a multitude of services and programs to assist students and now have six in-school therapists across the District
- Threat Assessment Teams – Each building has a team that meets regularly to review student behavior and discuss potential threat risks to the school and/or others
- Security service that conducts interior and exterior foot patrols daily on the 7-12 secondary campus, as well as security guards at the entrance to each K-6 school
- Door alarms (when left or propped open)
- Captured entrances with “buzz-in” entry systems
- Building entrance cameras/monitors
- Internal and external surveillance cameras
- Weapons Detection Systems
- Emergency and inclement weather drills, K-12
- Crisis response training with staff
- Building blueprints and access are provided for all local law enforcement
- Annual walk-throughs with police and first responders to maintain familiarity with the buildings
- Safety Committee – An internal team that routinely visits schools to evaluate various areas of safety including building security
- Canine use and access
- Staff identification badges
- Visitor badges with Raptor (this program uses a driver’s license to check the individual’s background for crimes against children)\
- Mass notification system, SV Mobile App, SVSD website, in-coming phone recording capabilities, social media, and SVTV
- A reunification system through RAPTOR that coincides with the “I Love You Guys” Foundation, which is considered the gold standard for reunification protocol
- Online (Sprigeo) reporting system
- Policies that address: Random Drug Testing, Discipline, Terroristic Threats, Weapons, Substance Use/Abuse, Suspension/Expulsion, Hazing, Sexual Harassment, Racial/Ethnic Intimidation and Anti-Bullying
