June 10, 2003

The National Threat Level is now at 'Yellow' (Elevated). Upcoming trips (field trips and away sporting events) continue to be reviewed by the Superintendent and may be canceled if an increased safety risk exists. Please check with your building administrator, person in charge of your trip or the district web site for information about cancellations.

If the National Alert Status is raised to "Orange", the following measures will be taken immediately to ensure the safety of our students and staff:

• All school-sponsored trips to New York City are cancelled. In addition specific trips to other metropolitan and/or high profile locations are cancelled. This includes scheduled trips to Camden, NJ and West Point.
• Field trips to other local sites will continue at this time.
• All school buildings will have all doors except the front main entrance locked at all times. Custodial staff will check all doors on a regular basis.
• Staff will be located at the front entrance of each building to monitor access to the building and sign in visitors. Staff will be reassigned to this task or substitutes will be employed where necessary.
• Additional substitute night monitors will be employed at the secondary buildings to monitor access to those buildings.
• During after hour activities those areas not used by the activity will be "taped-off" to limit access to the rest of the building.
• Schedules school activities such as assemblies and concerts will continue at this time.
• All staff should be reminded to wear their nametags. If any staff member has lost his/her nametag, please contact the business office so that a replacement can be issued.
• If any UPS or other delivery person is unknown to your staff please be sure to demand to see identification.

While we understand that some of these measures may cause some inconvenience, it is imperative that we take reasonable precautions to protect both students and staff. As more information concerning any potential threats becomes available, or as conditions change, this web page will be updated and information will be distributed to staff. For more information on appropriate response by school districts to the National Threat Level, please visit the New York State Homeland Security for Schools Page.

School Safety

The safety of our students is the top priority of the Hyde Park Central School District. To that end, we have joined with local law enforcement, fire and ambulance agencies to develop a comprehensive district-wide school safety plan that includes specific building safety plans for each school. These plans are on file with local police agencies. The complete Project SAVE Plan is available for viewing at the District Office.

In light of current world events, the administrators, faculty and staff of our district will be ever more vigilent in taking steps to ensure the safety and welfare of our students. We will also keep parents and the community informed about actions we are taking though the district web site and the Information Phone at 483-3613. Should an emergency situation arise, please refrain from calling the school buildings or administrative offices as this will impair our ability to address the situation.

What we are doing

At the high school and the middle school, social studies teachers have been encouraged to address the world situation in their classes and:

• try to calm the fears and anxiety that students may feel
• as always, promote a sense of tolerance for our ethnic differences
• be sensitive to the impact that world events might have on the personal lives of certain students
• promote an atmosphere of dialogue more than debate
• explore and examine different viewpoints while promoting critical thinking and active listening
• avoid discussion of the teacher's opinion and focus on promoting the development of citizenship skills and methods of inquiry
• use these "teachable moments" to make connections to previous or upcoming units of study that include the skills, content, concepts, and issues that are part of the social studies curriculum
• share instructional resources with each other that will support the goals stated above.

In addition, the following safety precautions have heen taken at our schools.

• Daily safety measures and emergency procedures are being reviewed.
• Entrance to all school buildings must be through the front doors.
• Visitors are carefully screened, must sign in and must obtain and display a visitor's pass or badge.
• We have ensured that we are in contact with local authorities for notifications and / or assistance as needed.
• News media is continuously monitored to keep apprised of world events.
• Plans have been developed to deal with increased security threats and emergencies.

Definitions

Lock Out

A "Lock Out" is initiated when there is heightened possibility of threat in the neighborhood of the building. All exterior doors, including the front/main doors, of the facility are locked and entrance to/exit from the building is permitted only through the main door. At the principals discretion, students/teachers can move within the building but not go outside of the school building and students may be released by the principal through the front door to a properly identified and authorized parent/guardian. Students will not be released to anyone not identified on the emergency release form on file. The Police Department and the Superintendent will be informed of the "lock out" and decide whether their presence is required.

Lock Down

A "Lock Down" is initiated when there is an existing or imminent threat in the building or in the immediate vicinity. All exterior doors of the building are locked, all students and their respective teachers are locked in their classrooms, classroom lights are turned off, classroom windows are closed and locked, classroom blinds are closed, students are directed into a corner of the room, away from the classroom door, and students are instructed to be quiet. There will be no students/teachers/staff in the hallways. There will be no one outside the building. There will be no release of students to parents/guardians. The Police Department and the Superintendent will be informed of the "lock down" and decide on the appropriate action of intervention.