School Safety

In light of current world events, the administrators, faculty and staff of our district will be ever more vigilant 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 229-4001. 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.

SAVE Components

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.

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 principal’s 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.

11 Boice Road
P. O. Box 2033
Hyde Park, NY 12538
(845) 229-4000
For Emergency Information (845) 229-4001
District Fax: 229-4056
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