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School Safety

A safe, positive and welcoming environment is critical for learning. This focus on learning is our mission. To help build positive connections to people and activities, we offer a wide range of programs and services both inside and outside the classroom. These connections and the relationships that form through these activities are critical for strengthening a positive and welcoming environment. In addition, the multi-layered approach to school safety includes actions such as:

  • State police risk assessments
  • Physical improvements to schools and grounds
  • Technological systems
  • Mental health services
  • Training and drills
  • Safety curriculum
  • Communication systems
  • Expanded security personnel
  • Policies and practices
  • Robust reporting systems

We are fortunate to have a long history of proactive collaboration with the Northern Regional Police Department (NRPD) and systems in place to respond when necessary. In conjunction with NRDP and with input from other law enforcement agencies, we have refined the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) over the years.  The district also maintains a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NRPD that outlines the nature of collaboration—mandatory and discretionary—for a wide range of topics. 

When we receive notice of a potential threat, that situation is immediately evaluated using a team approach. The safety of students and staff is our first priority. The district collaborates with law enforcement officials to evaluate each situation. It is difficult at times to discern the differences between rumors and accurate information. The facts of each situation guide decision-making. In the events last month, we learned through the FBI cyber unit that the messages originated in Australia. However, there were also posts made by local residents that added uncertainty to the investigation and required the diversion of law enforcement assets. This event followed two other swatting incidents that did not have a direct connection to Pine-Richland but required threat assessment. Please know that the district works to provide frequent, accurate updates to families when situations occur. When communicating with our entire school community, we actively work to ensure clear, transparent and accurate information. We recognize that messages and updates related to safety can be unsettling. We work to ensure that we are providing timely updates as a situation warrants. We aim to share updates as quickly as possible while first ensuring student and staff safety.

Safety Measures

  • Strong partnership with Northern Regional Police Department
  • Increased monitoring of school grounds by Northern Regional
  • Continued monitoring of grounds by Security Officer
  • Scrutiny of all campuses to provide a safe environment for children and staff
  • Review and update of Emergency Operation Plan
  • Ongoing meetings with Northern Regional Police and Review of Grounds
  • Training by security and safety experts
  • Drills on an ongoing basis with staff and students
  • Cooperation with visitors to make the best effort to schedule an appointment when visiting a school and following visitor procedures
  • Cooperation with district, staff, students, parents, and community, to report suspicious activity or people
Many of these steps have already been in place and continue to be in place, and there are many details that are not shared with the public as not to compromise our security.

Reporting

The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community are our top priorities. One of the most critical factors in maintaining a safe school environment is the timely use of reporting mechanisms. We encourage everyone—students, parents, and staff—to be vigilant and proactive in reporting any safety concerns. 

Report, Don’t Repost: When students or parents see concerning posts on social media, they should immediately report them to NRPD or Safe2Say. Do not repost. Reposting can spread rumors and panic. It also can hinder a police investigation into the original source of the post. 

If you or your child(ren) have any information related to any safety matter, please do not hesitate to take the following steps:

  • Contact the Northern Regional Police Department at 724-625-3157 if there is an immediate concern.
  • Use the Safe2Say Something application, 1-844-SAF2SAY, or website to anonymously report any information that could help prevent an unsafe situation.
  • Reach out to building or district administrators for guidance and support.

Use of Video Surveillance Cameras

A safe school environment is a top priority. The Board of School Directors approves the use of electronic surveillance systems to monitor activity in school buildings, on school property, and in school vehicles as one measure of protection.

The use of video recordings from surveillance equipment is subject to Board Policy 816 and other district policies, including policies concerning the confidentiality of student and staff records.

If it is determined through an investigation that a student has committed an unlawful or unsafe act in violation of school rules, appropriate disciplinary consequences will be administered.

Any type of activity detected through the use of video surveillance cameras that might constitute a violation of the law will be reported immediately to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Searches

The board acknowledges the need to respect the rights of students to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures while fulfilling the district’s interest in protecting and preserving the health, safety and welfare of the school population, enforcing rules of conduct, and maintaining an appropriate atmosphere conducive to learning. See the full policy here »

School officials have the authority to lawfully search students or their belongings, including lockers, automobiles, electronic devices, purses, backpacks, clothing, and other possessions, without a warrant, when in school, on school grounds or when otherwise under school supervision, if there is a reasonable suspicion that the place or thing to be searched contains prohibited contraband, material that would pose a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the school population, or evidence that there has been a violation of the law, Board policy, or school rules. The scope and extent of searches must be reasonable in relation to the nature of the suspected evidence, contraband or dangerous material and to the grounds for suspecting that it may be found in the place or thing being searched.

Accessing School Property

Public access to school properties and facilities during school hours is prohibited. The challenge is balancing the use of facilities by the public while maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for our students and staff during the school day. The topic is most frequent at the secondary and Richland Elementary campuses due to the availability of facilities such as tracks and tennis courts.

Appropriate signage is posted on all of our six campuses.
 
Public access on the Pine-Richland School District campuses will be prohibited during school hours:
  • Pine-Richland High School Hours: 6:45 am - 2:45 pm
  • Pine-Richland Middle School Hours: 6:45 am - 2:45 pm
  • Eden Hall Upper Elementary School Hours: 7:15 am - 3:15 pm
  • Hance Elementary School Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Richland Elementary School Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Wexford Elementary School Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Santacroce Stadium at Richland Elementary School will be available during school hours as long as there are no athletic or school day programs taking place.
 
The high school stadium and Santacroce will be available to the public as long as there are no athletic or evening programs.
 
The elementary playgrounds, Richland Elementary tennis courts, Pine-Richland High School Stadium and Pine-Richland High School tennis courts will be restricted during school hours but available during the evening hours as long as there are no athletic or school day programs taking place.

Smoke-Free Campus

Tobacco and tobacco-like products are prohibited in all areas of our campuses, both inside and outside of the buildings. In our policy, tobacco use is defined as use and/or possession of a lighted or unlighted cigarette, cigar, and pipe; other lighted smoking products; electronic cigarette; smokeless tobacco in any form; and tobacco-related items/devices.

Electronic cigarette refers to any device that provides vapor from liquid nicotine, and/or other substance, which is inhaled to simulate smoking tobacco. The term shall include any such devices, whether they are manufactured, distributed, marketed, or sold as e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, vaporizers or under any other product name or descriptor.

Animals on Campus

Although we understand the desire of some people to walk their pets on campus and bring their pets to sporting events, pets on campus are prohibited unless a person is being supported by a service animal with proper documentation. Our policy defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog or any other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. 

Emergency Operations Plan

The Pine-Richland School District works with the Northern Regional Police Department and other local agencies to review and revise the district’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) annually. 

The EOP is organized into two major sections:

Part I – Public Plan
Part II – Functional Plan

The Public Plan outlines the general guidelines and framework for emergency operations and response. The Functional Plan is a confidential document developed for internal use. The district continues to focus on the four major parts of emergency management that include prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

Please click on this link to download the public plan.