District-Wide School Safety Plan

PURPOSE

Emergencies in schools are defined as undesirable events that occur and have the potential to cause injury or illness to members of our school community or disrupt the orderly educational process.  They range from acts of bullying or harassment to catastrophic natural or man-made events.  Emergency management is the discipline of dealing with and avoiding risks. It is a discipline that involves preparing for an emergency situation or disaster before it occurs as well as supporting and rebuilding from the emergency after natural or human-made disasters have occurred.

Emergency management in our schools is the continuous process by which our staff, students, administrators, parents, school groups, emergency responders and our community manages hazards in an effort to avoid or mitigate the impact of disasters resulting from hazards.  Preventive measures and good planning will reduce the likelihood that emergencies will occur and allow us to address those that do in an expeditious and effective manner. 

Districts are required to develop district-wide school safety and emergency management plans designed to prevent and effectively manage such events to minimize the effects of serious incidents and emergencies.  These plans also facilitate the coordination of the District with local and county plans and resources when incidents and emergencies occur.

The district-wide plan is responsive to the needs of all schools in the District and is consistent with the more detailed building-level emergency plans.  Districts are vulnerable to a wide variety of acts of violence; and natural and manmade disasters.  To address these threats, the State of New York has enacted the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (S.A.V.E.) law.  Project S.A.V.E. is a comprehensive planning effort that addresses prevention, response, and recovery with respect to a variety of emergencies in schools.

The Washingtonville Central School District supports the S.A.V.E. legislation.  As such, the Superintendent of Schools, Board of Education, and the entire District staff encourages and advocates on-going district-wide cooperation in support of Project S.A.V.E.

Superintendent’s Directive

The Superintendent, or Assistant Superintendent for Operations and Safety,Designee (see State Requirements) will serve as the District’s Chief Emergency Officer (CEO)^[9] whose duties shall include, but not be limited to:

1.       Coordination of the communication between school staff, law enforcement, and other first responders;^[10]

2.       Leading the efforts of the district-wide school safety team in the completion and yearly update of the district-wide school safety plan and the coordination of the district-wide plan with the building-level emergency response plans;^[11]

3.       Ensuring staff understanding of the district–wide school safety plan;^[12]

4.       Ensuring the completion and yearly update of building-level emergency response plans for each school building^[13] The CEO will require each building principal to maintain a Building-level Emergency Response Plan in compliance with Commissioner of Education Regulation 155.17(2). Each plan should be updated annually with the assistance of the Building Emergency Response Team (BERT).  The plan shall provide for lockdown, lockout, sheltering, evacuation, early dismissal, fire and other emergency planning and notification (when necessary) to students and staff, annual drills and exercises, and coordination with local and county emergency preparedness administrators. These plans shall be submitted to the District's Safety Team for annual approval and incorporation into the overall District-wide Safety and Emergency Management Plan.

5.       Assisting in the selection of security related technology and development of procedures for the use of such technology;^[14]

6.       Coordination of appropriate safety, security, and emergency training for district and school staff, including required training in the emergency response plan;^[15]

7.       Ensuring the conduct of required evacuation and lockdown drills in all district buildings as required by Education Law section 807;^[16] and

8.       Ensuring the completion and yearly update of building-level emergency response plans by the dates designated by the commissioner.^[17]

9.       Ensures protocols for responding to a declared state disaster emergency involving a communicable disease are substantially consistent with the provisions of Section 27-C of the Labor Law.

 

Identification of school teams

The District-wide Safety and Emergency Management Plan was developed pursuant to Commissioner’s Regulation 155.17(b)(13)  and NYS Education Law 2801-a^[18].  At the direction of the Board of Education and under the direction of the Superintendent, a District-wide Safety Team will be utilized for emergency management within the District^[19]. The Safety Team shall include, but is not limited to, representatives of the school board, teacher, administrator, and parent organizations, school safety personnel and other school personnel including bus drivers and monitors. At the discretion of the board of education, a student may be allowed to participate on the safety team. If the Board appoints or selects a student to participate on the safety team, in accordance with Regulation 155.17(b)(14), no portion of a confidential building-level emergency response plan shall be shared with such student nor shall such student be present where details of a confidential building-level emergency response plan or confidential portions of a district-wide emergency response strategy are discussed.

The duties of the team shall include the development, review, and update of the District-wide Safety and Emergency Management Plan in compliance with Commissioner of Education Regulation 155.17. The District Safety Team should meet regularly throughout the year to conduct the following business:

1.       Assess and review the District-wide Safety and Emergency Management Plan annually.

2.       Make any necessary recommendations regarding emergency operations, planning, procedures, and/or protocols.

3.       Conduct training sessions as necessary.

4.       Meet with, oversee, and help guide the Building-level Emergency Response Teams at each school as necessary.

5.       Meet as needed with the District’s Emergency Management Consultant to review protocols and procedures as well as receive training and instruction.

6.       Meet with local government and emergency service organization officials to develop procedures for obtaining guidance and for emergency situations that exceed the expertise and/or resources of the District. These procedures may then be incorporated into the District's Emergency Management Plan.

District Safety Team^[20]

Paul Nienstadt, Ext 27111
Assistant Superintendent of Operations & Safety

Barbara Quinn, Ext 27022
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum

Sharon Williams
BOE President

Suzanne Lendzian, Ext 24573
Athletic Director

Mike Bieger
Communications Director

Jennifer Czumak, Ext 22500
Teacher/Coach/Resident

Jennifer Dempsey, Ext 21501
Teacher

Vanessa Sanchez, Ext 27041
Parent

John Delgardo, Ext 24501
Security Officer

James Drury, Ext 24600
SRO

Laura Tarleton, Ext 27133
Head Bus Driver

Donna Gildea, Ext 27101
Bus Driver

Mary Ann Eberling, Ext 27101
Bus Monitor

Owen Leonard
Student

Ralph Perez, Ext 27135
Transportation Supervisor

Maryke Traost, Ext 22573
Nurse

Aaron Forman, Ext 22573
HVAC Technician

Erin Milteer, Ext 25508
District Social Worker

Concepts of Operation

1.       The District-wide School Safety and Emergency Management Plan will be directly linked to individual Building-level Emergency Response Plans for each school.  Protocols developed in the District-wide School Safety and Emergency Management Plan will guide the development and implementation of Building-level Emergency Response Plans.

2.       All District building plans have been standardized to the extent possible so that leadership decisions are consistent and leaders may be interchangeable as necessary. The training and expectations set at the district level are applicable to all building team members.

3.       In the event of an emergency or violent incident, the initial response at an individual school will be by the Building Emergency Response Team. 

4.       Once the Superintendent and/or their designee are notified, the District Emergency Response Team may be mobilized to respond, and when appropriate, local emergency officials will be notified.  All will follow the emergency management protocols and practices outlined in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and will practice Incident Command System (ICS) techniques to better manage these events.

Plan Review & Public Comment

1.       The District-wide Safety and Emergency Management Plan shall be monitored and maintained by the District Safety Team. The District Safety Team shall review the plan annually before making it available for a 30-day comment period, a public hearing, and, finally, adoption by the Board of Education before September 1st of each year.^[21]

2.       On June 23, 2022, Governor Hochul signed Alyssa’s Law, Chapter 227 of the Laws of 2022 (Chapter 227) which became effective immediately. Chapter 227 amends Education Law § 2801-a to require that district-wide school safety teams of public schools, boards of cooperative educational services, and county vocational education extension boards consider the usefulness of silent panic alarm systems when reviewing and amending district-wide safety plans.^[22]

3.      Building-level Emergency Response Plans shall be confidential and not subject to disclosure under Article 6 of the Public Officers Law or any other provision of law in accordance with Education Law Section 2801-a. 

4.       Full copies of the District-wide Safety and Emergency Management Plan and any amendments will be submitted to the New York State Education Department on or before September 1st of each year or within 30 days of adoption.

5.       The Board of Education must formally adopt the District-wide Plan pursuant to Commissioner’s Regulation, Section 155.17(c)(3).^[23]  This plan will be made available for public comment at least 30 days prior to its adoption.

6.       Building-level Emergency Response Plans will be supplied to the New York State Police, County Police and all local police departments covering the District,  by October 1 ^st of each year or within 30 days of adoption.^[24]

View/download latest version of the
WCSD District-Wide Safety Plan.

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^[9] 155.17(1)(c)(xix) the designation of the superintendent, or superintendent’s designee, as the district chief emergency officer whose duties shall include, but not be limited to:

^[10] 155.17(c)(1)(xix)(a) coordination of the communication between school staff, law enforcement, and other first responders;

^[11] 155.17(c)(1)(xix)(b) lead the efforts of the district-wide school safety team in the completion and yearly update of the district-wide school safety plan and the coordination of the district-wide plan with the building-level emergency response plans

^[12] 155.17(c)(1)(xix)(c) ensure staff understanding of the district–wide school safety plan

^[13] 155.17(c)(1)(xix)(d) ensure the completion and yearly update of building-level emergency response plans for each school building technology

^[14] 155.17(c)(1)(xix)(e) assist in the selection of security related technology and development of procedures for the use of such technology

^[15] 155.17(c)(1)(xix)(f) coordinate appropriate safety, security, and emergency training for district and school staff, including required training in the emergency response plan

^[16] 155.17(c)(1)(xix)(g) ensure the conduct of required evacuation and lock-down drills in all district buildings as required by Education Law section 807

^[17] 155.17(c)(1)(xix)(h) ensure the completion and yearly update of building-level emergency response plans by the dates designated by the commissioner

^[18] 2801-a Each district-wide school safety team shall be appointed by the board of education, or the chancellor in the case of the city school district of the city of New York, and shall include but not be limited to representatives of the school board, teacher, administrator, and parent organizations, school safety personnel, and other school personnel including bus drivers and monitors.

^[19] 155.17(b)(14) District-wide school safety team means a district-wide team appointed by the board of education, the chancellor in the case of New York City, or other governing board. The district-wide team shall include, but not be limited to, representatives of the school board, teacher, administrator, parent organizations, bus drivers and monitors, school safety personnel and other school personnel.

^[20]155.17(b)(14) District-wide school safety team means a district-wide team appointed by the board of education, the chancellor in the case of New York City, or other governing board. The district-wide team shall include, but not be limited to, representatives of the school board, teacher, administrator, parent organizations, school safety personnel and other school personnel including bus drivers and monitors (2801-a). At the discretion of the board of education, or the chancellor in the case of the City of New York, a student may be allowed to participate on the safety team, provided however, that no portion of a confidential building-level emergency response plan shall be shared with such student nor shall such student be present where details of a confidential building-level emergency response plan or confidential portions of a district-wide emergency response strategy are discussed.

^[21] 155.17(a) Every board of education of a school district, every board of cooperative educational services and county vocational education and extension board and the chancellor of the City School District of the City of New York shall adopt by July 1, 2001, and shall update by July 1st for the 2002-2003 through the 2015-2016 school years and by September 1st for the 2016-2017 school year and each subsequent September 1st thereafter.

^[22] 2081-a(2)(f) District-wide school safety teams shall consider, as part of its reviews of the comprehensive district-wide safety plan, the installation of a panic alarm system. For purposes of this paragraph, "panic alarm system" shall mean a silent security system signal generated by the manual activation of a device intended to signal a life-threatening or emergency situation requiring a response from local law enforcement or, in the case of a school building located in a municipality in which there is no municipal police department, a location designated by the superintendent of state police and may include one or more of the following: wired panic button or buttons, wireless panic button or buttons or a mobile or computer application; The New York State Register, December 2022, https://dos.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/12/122822.pdf (page 12)

^[23] 155.17(c)(3) Each board of education, chancellor or other governing body shall make each district-wide safety plan available for public comment at least 30 days prior to its adoption. Such district-wide plans may be adopted by the school board only after at least one public hearing that provides for the participation of school personnel, parents, students and any other interested parties. Each district shall file a copy of its district-wide safety plan with the commissioner and all amendments to such plan shall be filed with the commissioner no later than 30 days after their adoption.

^[24]155.17 (c)(3)(ii) Each board of education, chancellor or other governing body or officer shall ensure that each building-level emergency response plan and any amendments thereto, is submitted to the appropriate local law enforcement agency and the State Police within 30 days of its adoption, but no later than October 15th for the 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school years and for the 2020-2021 school year and thereafter, such building-level emergency response plans must be submitted no later than October 1, 2020, and each subsequent October 1st thereafter. Building-level emergency response plans shall be confidential and shall not be subject to disclosure under article six of the Public Officers Law or any other provision of law

PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION STRATEGIES^[25
The District utilizes a variety of intervention strategies to reduce risk and prevent critical incidents.
1.    The District utilizes trained multidisciplinary Threat Assessment Teams at each building to evaluate threats and implement the appropriate mitigation strategies. The District provides support  and record keeping for the activities of each team. 

2.    Any utilized school safety officers and other security personnel are trained annually with the assistance of one or more of the following collaborative relationships:

         ●    Emergency Responders
         ●    Regional BOCES
         ●    District Consultants
         ●    School Resource Officers
         ●    Private Security at the Middle School and High School

3.    Training for school staff working in an incident control capacity may include:

         a. Individual and group de-escalation techniques
         b. Non-violent conflict resolution skills 
         c. Peer mediation 
         d. Health Education Programs
         e. 21st Century Professional Development

4.    The District may provide de-escalation techniques and nonviolent conflict resolution training to other staff annually.  Each building has some staff trained in nonviolent conflict resolution.

5.    Training may be available during staff development sessions, on conference days and via on-demand web-based training modules. 

6.    Procedures relating to building security including utilization of staff and security equipment are as follows: ^[26]

        1.  All authorized staff members are expected to carry their classroom/office keys/swipe cards at all  times.
       2.  All staff members are expected to wear District-issued photo identification badges.
       3.  After the designated start time of the school day, each school will be appropriately secured.
       4. All visitors must report to each building's designated single point of entry and sign in before proceeding further into the building.
       5.  All contractors assigned to work in any building must first be authorized by the Facilities Department to receive an identification badge, which must be visible at all times when workers are on school  property. All deliverables and delivery personnel must first be authorized by the Facilities Department, prior to delivery. An exception for regular food service deliveries may be made after the vendor has been authorized for the school year. 
      6. The District has executed Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with Security Providers as required byNYS Regulation^[27
      7. Extended day and other school safety programs - The district school buildings and facilities provide a  valuable resource to our students and community after the conclusion of the school day. The following  are strategies are utilized during after-school hours:
                  1. To the degree possible, access to areas of the school building is limited to only those needed foractivities. 
                 2. Some buildings may use a modified point of entry.

The District continually investigates other security measures and conducts staff development training to ensure schools are as safe as possible. Security measures include:

      a.    Security personnel
      b.    Surveillance cameras
      c.    Door-lock (buzzer) entry systems
      d.    Portable Radios
      e.    Alarm Systems
      f.    Keypad or swipe entry systems
      g.    Single or limited points of entry

IMPROVING COMMUNICATION WITH STUDENTS
Each of the schools within the district provides a wealth of school safety-related initiatives.  These programs may include peer mediation, bullying prevention, conflict resolution, social skills development, managing emotions and components of character education.  Students are involved in a wide variety of safety activities through both their classes as well as through work with school counselors, social workers, and school psychologists.  School administrators will meet with students during the year and the teachers will update students on all new initiatives and programs.  By October 1st of each school year, the superintendent and chief school administrator have provided written information to all students and staff about emergency procedures. ^[28]

Each building has established a mechanism for the anonymous reporting of school violence and harassment and has communicated this to students and parents.^[29]

The school district’s Code of Conduct is accessible to parents and students and reviewed with all students at the beginning of the school year. During the review with students, bullying, discrimination, harassment and violations of the Code of Conduct, along with consequences are discussed.

All staff members are trained in recognizing and effectively dealing with these behaviors, as outlined in the Code of Conduct.

In addition, each school has a wide range of programs and supports that impact school safety.  These may include offering a variety of clubs, classroom lessons, small group lessons and/or individual counseling sessions, school-wide meetings, morning meetings in classrooms, assemblies, mindfulness rooms, yoga and movement breaks, and a variety of wellness opportunities. 

REPORTING THREATS OR ACTS OF VIOLENCE
Students, staff, parents and others are informed annually about the importance of reporting threats or acts of violence and the procedures of reporting. 

The District has developed a system for reporting threats and actual acts of violence.  The procedure for reporting is as follows:

     ▪Students are instructed to report threats and acts of violence to staff members.

     ▪Each school has designated a reporting process, which can be done anonymously.

     ▪Staff members are required to report all student referrals to the administration for investigation.

     ▪Staff training programs meet S.A.V.E. requirements. Instruction on issues of school safety is provided to all employees each year.

TRAINING, DRILLS AND EXERCISES DRILLS AND EXERCISES:^[30]

The District will conduct emergency management drills and exercises annually including, but not limited to:

EVACUATION AND LOCKDOWN DRILLS:^[31]Evacuation and lockdown drills will be conducted during school days in each school within the District with staff and students twelve (12) times annually (September – June). The first eight (8) drills are conducted prior to December 31st of each school year.    Eight of all such drills shall be evacuation drills.  Four of all such required drills shall be lockdown drills. Prior to the first annual drill, staff shall review emergency response procedures and drill requirements with students during class time.  Students are also provided the opportunity to ask questions on any procedure that they are not clear on. The appropriate Fire Department may, upon mutual agreement with the District, participate in some or all of the drills and offer feedback regarding effective building evacuation in the event of a fire. Four of the required drills must be through use of the fire escapes on buildings where fire escapes are present or through the use of identified secondary means of egress.^[32]The appropriate Police Department may, upon mutual agreement with the District, participate in some or all of the lockdowns drills and offer feedback regarding the effectiveness of these drills.  Drills shall be conducted at different times of the school day with at least one of the eight required evacuation drills occurring during a mass gathering event such as lunch or assemblies. Instruction in drill procedures, including during lunch periods and assemblies, is conducted annually by staff. ^[33]At least two additional drills must be held during summer school in buildings where summer school is conducted, one must be held during the first week of summer school.^[34]Unplanned evacuations or false alarms do not count as a required drill. Evacuations made necessary by the unplanned activation of the fire alarm system or by any other emergency shall not be substituted for a required evacuation drill. ^[35]

Prior to the commencement of each school year, the Building-Level Emergency Response Team shall conduct an inventory of any special needs students. Appropriate accommodations for the school year will be incorporated into each Building-Level Emergency Response Plan.

EARLY DISMISSAL DRILL:^[36]1The District will conduct an Early Dismissal drill annually wherein students are dismissed no more than 15 minutes before the normal dismissal time. Parents will be notified of these drills at least one week prior.  Transportation Officials and District staff may also take place in conducting and evaluation of this drill. This drill also allows the District to test the usefulness of the communications and transportation system during emergencies. ^[37]

SHELTER-IN-PLACE AND/OR LOCKOUT DRILLS: While not required, each school in the District may conduct Shelter-in-Place and/or Lockout drills in addition to those drills required by New York State regulation. The appropriate Police Department may, upon mutual agreement with the District, participate in some or all of the drills and offer feedback regarding the effectiveness of these drills.

In addition to post-drill debriefings conducted by each building-level emergency response team, each building will complete a drill evaluation form that will be submitted to the district-wide safety team for periodic review,  which includes observations from the drill as well as any additional feedback obtained from building personnel. Changes to procedures are made as needed. The district-wide safety team should evaluate communications and transportation systems during emergencies. ^[38]

Each Building-level Emergency Response Team and representatives of the District administration engage in tabletop exercises facilitated by the district’s emergency management consultant.  Emergency response agencies are encouraged to participate in these exercises.  The district may opt to conduct functional exercises with emergency response agencies to involve staff, students and parents in realistic drills. The school board will ensure that information about drills be provided in the teacher’s manual or handbook. ^[39]

A summary of drill procedures are detailed in each of the Building-Level Emergency Response Plans. 

STAFF DEVELOPMENT TRAINING:  

All general staff will receive training on District-wide procedures as well as specific procedures contained within their respective building-level emergency response plan.  This training shall occur prior to September 15th of each school year or within 30 days of joining the district. This training will be conducted at a staff development day in August, online or a combination of both. ^[40]

 The teaching staff receives all the necessary training and they will disseminate that information to the students throughout the year.  The training is provided in a classroom setting while utilizing drills to reinforce the training.  The elementary schools have the local Fire Departments come to the buildings in the fall during Fire Prevention week so the students get to see the fire department and equipment in person. 

The District will provide advanced training for each Building-level Emergency Response Team (BERT) and District-wide Safety Team annually.  The training will include practices and procedures to educate, evaluate, update and review all Emergency management protocols and procedures the teams perform including, but not limited to Lockdown, Lockout, Evacuation, Shelter-In-Place, Hold-in-Place and Early Dismissal.  The District may involve local emergency responders to participate in this training.
Additional training may include but is not limited to:

      ▪    De-escalation training
      ▪    Warning signals for violence and mental health concerns
      ▪    Non-violent conflict resolution

PROACTIVE BUILDING SECURITY MEASURES

      1. The District buildings use limited points of entry.  All doors are locked.  Signs are in place directing visitors to sign-in at the reception desk at each school.  Main doors are controlled by remote “buzzer” entry during normal school hours.

     2. All schools have greeters or office staff members just inside the entrance to each school in the District.  These individuals ensure visitor sign-in procedures and help supervise building traffic flow.  The building principals are responsible for supervision of the greeters and other staff.    

    3. Staff members are required to wear visible identification badges. 

    4. Visitors are required to sign in and wear visitor identification. 

    5. Visitor access is limited to specific areas of the school building.

    6. All schools have cameras in place throughout the buildings both internal and external.

VITAL EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION^[41]
Information on each building’s student and staff, transportation needs, and the telephone numbers of key officials are outlined in each Building-level Emergency Response Plan. The purpose of including such information in the Building-level plan is to ensure coordination or coverage in the event of a serious incident.

EARLY DETECTION OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR^[42]

This section contains the District policy and procedure for disseminating information regarding early detection of potentially dangerous behavior.  

         1. A “plain language” summary of the District’s Code of Conduct is provided to all students in the Districtat the start of every school year to ensure that all students understand acceptable behavior in the school setting.  The Code of Conduct delineates, among other behavior, lack of tolerance for  harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence.

        2.  A “plain language” summary of the District’s Code of Conduct is mailed or emailed to all  parents/guardians of students in the District at the start of each school year, and is disseminated at the time of registration thereafter.

        3.  All new employees will be provided with a copy of the Code of Conduct at the time of hire. All teachers and other staff members will be provided with a copy of the Code of Conduct annually.

       4. Efforts are made on the building level in each of the District’s schools to identify, prevent, and resolve              potentially dangerous behavior at the earliest possible stage.  Teams meet regularly in each building in order to work with classroom staff in identifying and preventing potentially dangerous behavior. School counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, nurses, outside agencies (when appropriate), administrators, teachers, parents/guardians and students may be  involved in this process.

      5. District students at all grade levels participate in instruction guided by evidence-based violence                          prevention/intervention programs.  Elements of these programs support students in identifying potentially violent or problematic situations with peers and in developing strategies to address these such as reporting to an adult.

      6. Secondary health curricula incorporate information regarding emotional health, the impact of drugs and alcohol on an individual’s behavior, and on responsible decision-making.

      7.  Each of the District’s school psychologists/social workers may facilitate counseling groups for identified students around issues related to poor social skills development, managing emotions, and good decision-making.

      8.  Certified and noncertified staff members working with students who have been identified by the Committee on Special Education as being at-risk for engaging in violent behaviors receive annual training in crisis prevention and intervention.  

       9.  The District may work in collaboration with building-level and District-wide PTAs to offer parents/guardians information regarding early-warning signs of potentially dangerous and/or violent behavior, as well as a forum to discuss specific parental concerns.
POLICE AGENCIES

The District buildings fall within the jurisdiction of the following police departments:

Agency                                                                                Phone Number
Washingtonville Police Department                          845-496-9123
Blooming Grove Police                                                  845-496-9161
New Windsor Police                                                       845-565-7000
Orange County Sheriff’s Department                        845-291-4033
New York State Police                                                    845-344-5300    

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS OR HAZARDOUS SITES:
 
Each school will identify and locate areas of potential emergencies in and around its building. The Director of Facilities and building custodians will locate these sites.

          1.  These sites are to include electrical, gas, heating, ventilation, water supply and sewage systems locations and shut-off valves. Local fire department personnel have and will continue to participate in these efforts. 

          2.  These sites of potential emergencies will be listed in each Building-level Emergency Response Plan supplied to police, fire, emergency management services, and District personnel. 

         3.   Potentially dangerous sites indicated below that are contained within school property and under the jurisdiction of the school district, will be checked regularly and inspected by building safety personnel on a regular schedule, at least annually. They include but are not limited to:

●    Electrical panels/shut-off 
●    Gas lines/shut-off 
●    Gas appliances 
●    Heating plant 
●    Sewage system
●    Structural failure 
●    HVAC
●    Water supply/shut-off 
●    Chemical storage and cleaning supplies 
●    Paper supply storage
●    Industrial arts room 
●    Science rooms and labs 
●    Isolated areas near the school 
●    Nearby aqueduct, streams, ponds, rivers (flooding) 
●    Steep areas near school 
●    Unprotected exterior gas/electric, air conditioning supplies or equipment
●    Playground equipment 

SCHOOL SAFETY PERSONNEL ALLOCATIONS, HIRING, DUTIES, AND TRAINING^[43]

Private Security and School Resource Officers
This plan includes contracts or memoranda of understanding that define the relationship between the district, personnel, students, visitors, law enforcement, and public or private security personnel.  These contracts or memoranda are consistent with the Code of Conduct, and define the roles, responsibilities, and involvement in the schools of law enforcement or security personnel.  The role of school discipline is delegated to school administration. All law enforcement agencies and private security receive the necessary training to enhance the school district security.  

District Memorandum(s) of Understanding related to this section are maintained in the District office. 

ALLOCATIONS

A.    At the elementary and middle school level, there is a single point of entry for visitors at each building and visitors to the school must be buzzed into the building, sign in and receive an identification badge issued by a safety greeter. Staff in the building all wear district-produced identification badges which must be worn at all times. Staff is trained to report to the main office any person they observe who is not wearing a badge. In addition, at the middle school there is a police officer and safety personnel,  each elementary school has a police officer in the building.  

B.    At the high school level, there is a single point of entry for visitors, which is staffed during normal school hours by one of several staff members or safety personnel assigned to the High School. Visitors to the school must be buzzed into the building, sign in and receive an identification badge issued by a safety greeter. Staff in the building all wear district-produced identification badges, which must be worn at all times. In addition, an SRO and safety personnel are assigned to areas throughout the building.
 
HIRING
The interviewing and hiring of safety personnel follows the district’s practices for hiring of new staff. All new staff employed by the District must be fingerprinted in order to be employed.

DUTIES AND TRAINING
Greeters
●    contracted personnel at each elementary and middle school
●    buildings are staffed during regular school hours  
●    primarily responsible for enforcement of the visitor protocols
●    report unlawful activity 
●    provide escorts for parents and students when needed
●    members of building-level emergency response teams

Secondary School Monitors
●    staffed at select elementary, both middle schools and high school
●    actively monitor the building and support the staff with student safety and traffic
●    provide student supervision
●    check that school procedures are being adhered to
●    guide the arrival and dismissal processes
●    perform perimeter checks
●    report unlawful activity
●    escort students and parents  if needed
●    members of building-level emergency response teams

School Security Monitors
●    former military or law enforcement
●    staffed during regular school hours at the high school and middle school as well as for special events in the evening and on weekends   
●    enforce our visitor policy as well as actively monitor the building and support the staff with student safety and traffic

Law Enforcement
●    Located in each school building 
●    provide security and enforcement
●    liaison to outside resources in the event of an emergency
●    control automobile traffic patterns throughout the day

Required training includes:
●    School violence prevention and intervention training
●    Site-specific training including review of all manuals (e.g., school district policies, Code of Conduct, District-wide School Safety Plan, School Handbook, etc).
●    Right-to-know training
●    Blood borne pathogen training

View/download latest version of the
WCSD District-Wide Safety Plan.

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^[25] 155.17(c)(1)(iii) appropriate prevention and intervention strategies, such as:(a) collaborative arrangements with State and local law enforcement officials, designed to ensure that school safety officers and other security personnel are adequately trained, including being trained to de-escalate potentially violent situations, and are effectively and fairly recruited;(b) nonviolent conflict resolution training programs;(c) peer mediation programs and youth courts; and(d) extended day and other school safety programs

^[26] 155.17(b)(1)(xi) policies and procedures relating to school building security, including, where appropriate, the use of school safety officers and/or security devices or procedures;

^[27] 2801-a A school district or charter school that employs, contracts with, or otherwise retains law enforcement or public or private security personnel, including school resource officers, shall establish a written contract or memorandum of understanding that is developed with stakeholder input, including, but not limited to, parents, students, school administrators, teachers,collective bargaining units, parent and student organizations and community members, as well as probation officers, prosecutors, defense counsels and courts that are familiar with school discipline. Such written contract or memorandum of understanding shall define the relationship between a school district or charter school, school personnel, students, visitors, law enforcement, and public or private security personnel. Such contract or memorandum of understanding shall be consistent with the code of conduct, define law enforcement or security personnel's roles, responsibilities and involvement within a school and clearly delegate the role of school discipline to the school administration. Such written contract or memorandum of understanding shall be incorporated into and published as part of the district safety plan.

^[28] 155.17(g) By October 1 of each school year, the superintendent and chief school administrator have provided written information to all students and staff about emergency procedures.

^[29] 155.17(c)(1)(xvi) strategies for improving communication among students and between students and staff and reporting of potentially violent incidents, such as the establishment of youth- run programs, peer mediation, conflict resolution, creating a forum or designating a mentor for students concerned with bullying or violence and establishing anonymous reporting mechanisms for school violence;

^[30] 155.17(c)(1)(xiv) procedures for review and the conduct of drills and other exercises to test components of the emergency response plan, including the use of tabletop exercises, in coordination with local and county emergency responders and preparedness officials;

^[31] EL §807.1 eight evacuation drills and four lock-down drills each year, eight of the required drills must be completed by December 31 each school year

^[32] EL §807.1 four of the required drills must be through use of the fire escapes on buildings where fire escapes are provided or through the use of identified secondary means of egress

^[33] EL §807.1 Pupils shall be instructed in the procedure to be followed in the event that a fire occurs during the lunch period or assembly

^[34] EL §807.1-a at least two additional drills must be held during summer school in buildings where summer school is conducted, one must be held during the first week of summer school.

^[35] 401.7 New York State Fire code (pg 59)

^[36] 155.17(c)(2)(h) Fire and emergency drills. Each school district and board of cooperative educational services shall, at least once every school year, and where possible in cooperation with local county emergency preparedness plan officials, conduct one test of its emergency response procedures under each of its building-level emergency response plans, including sheltering, lock-down, or early dismissal, at a time not to occur more than 15 minutes earlier than the normal dismissal time.

^[37] 155.17(h)(2) Such drills shall test the usefulness of the communications and transportation system during emergencies.

^[38] 155.17(h)(2) Such drills shall test the usefulness of the communications and transportation system during emergencies.

^[39] EL §807.2 the school board will ensure that information about drills be provided in the teacher’s manual or handbook.

^[40] 155.17(c)(1)(xiii) policies and procedures for annual multi-hazard school safety training for staff and students, provided that the district must certify to the commissioner that all staff have undergone annual training by September 15, 2016 and each subsequent September 15th

thereafter on the building-level emergency response plan which must include components on violence prevention and mental health, provided further that new employees hired after the start of the school year shall receive such training within 30 days of hire or as part of the district’s existing new hire training program, whichever is sooner;

^[41] 155.17(h)(i)Except in a school district in a city having a population of more than one million inhabitants, the chief executive officer of each educational agency located within a public school district shall provide to the superintendent of schools information about school population, number of staff, transportation needs and the business and home telephone numbers of key officials of such educational agencies.

^[42] 155.17(c)(1)(xii) policies and procedures for the dissemination of informative materials regarding the early detection of potentially violent behaviors, including but not limited to the identification of family, community and environmental factors to teachers, administrators, school personnel including bus drivers and monitors, persons in parental relations to students of the school district or board, students and other persons deemed appropriate to receive such information;

^[43] 155.17(c)(1)(xvii) a description of the duties of hall monitors and any other school safety personnel, the training required of all personnel acting in a school security capacity, and the hiring and screening process for all personnel acting in a school security capacity;

 

Notification and Activation - Internal and External Communications

Internal

After receiving the information from the Incident Commander at the scene, an email will be sent from the Superintendent’s office to all administrators and administrative offices alerting them to the nature and status of any incident in the district. The mass communication system may be used to provide information as deemed appropriate by the Incident Commander. Portable radios will also be used when possible.

 

External

Anyone with knowledge of an emergency event is encouraged to immediately call 911.

The District’s mass communication system will be used to provide information to parents/guardians and emergency contacts. The District website may also be used to provide updated information throughout an incident as deemed appropriate by the Incident Commander. Schools may also use their websites, groups, and hotlines for announcements or updates as directed by the Incident Commander.

When an emergency requires notification of staff, the Superintendent or his designee will provide updated information to parents and students through the emergency notification system. Additional information may also be found on the District’s website: https://www.wcsdk12.org

During an emergency, all contact with the media will be handled either by the Superintendent or their designee.  The media and public will be informed and updated as soon as practicable on all developments in statements released by the Superintendent or their designee.  Students, staff and parents should refer all questions and requests for information to the Superintendent in order to assure the release of factual and current information. The Superintendent may refer such requests to the Public Information Officer for response.

By definition, emergency events are unforeseen and unpredictable.  The safety of students and staff is the primary focus of all activities surrounding an emergency event.   Every effort will be made to contact parents and the general public once the situation has stabilized.

 

Situational Responses

Multi-Hazard Response

In the event of an emergency, a Command Center will be set up at a safe location in collaboration with emergency responders. Each building has specific plans for dealing with a wide range of hazards. Specific response procedures are sensitive in nature and therefore are contained within each confidential building-level emergency response plan.

In each emergency, the building’s administrator will contact the District office for assistance. The District office will provide support as appropriate and deemed necessary by the Incident Commander on the scene (i.e. sending additional mental health resources). The Superintendent or their designee will be the sole contact person for releasing information to the media and for communicating the status of the emergency with other District schools, out-of-district schools, private schools, and outside agencies.^[44]

Response Protocols

Written information on emergency response procedures is disseminated to parents, age-appropriate students and staff via email by October 1st annually. This non-sensitive information may also be found on the district website.

School cancellation

        ●  The Superintendent or their designee will monitor any situation that may warrant a school                                    cancellation and will make the determination to do so.

        ●  The Public Information Officer will activate use of the District’s mass communication system.

        ●  The Public Information Officer will contact the local media, post the information on the website and                  social media sites utilized by the District.

 

Early dismissal

      ●   The Superintendent or their designee will monitor any situation that may warrant an early dismissal                and will make the determination to do so.

      ●  The Operations Chief will designate people to arrange transportation for students.

      ●  The Public Information Officer will activate use of the District’s mass communication system.

      ●  The Public Information Officer will contact the local media, post the information on the website and                   social media sites utilized by the District.

      ●  The Liaison Officer will notify each of the building principals.

 

Evacuation

       ●  The Superintendent or their designee will determine the level of the threat.

       ●  The Operations Chief will contact the transportation supervisor to arrange transportation. They will                       also arrange for student-parent reunification.

       ●  The Safety Officer will clear all evacuation routes and sites prior to evacuation

       ● Principal(s) will evacuate all staff and students to prearranged evacuation sites as outlined in building                 plans. They will report to the superintendent or their designee any missing staff or students.

 

Sheltering Sites (internal and external)

        ● The Superintendent or their designee will determine the level of the threat and communicate with                    building principal(s) who are affected by the emergency.

        ● Principal(s) will move all staff and students to pre-arranged sheltering sites as outlined in building                        plans. They  will report to any missing staff or students.

        ● The Logistics Chief will make appropriate arrangements for human needs in the event of a long-term                 situation.

 

Protocols for Responding to Bomb Threats, Hostage-takings, Intruders, Abduction, and Other Emergency Situations^[45]

The District has procedures and provides training for emergencies.  Specific response steps are confidential and contained within each Building-level Emergency Response Plan. The District has plans in place in which it is necessary to release students early, hold students late, evacuate and shelter as necessary.  The district utilizes a call management system that allows for mass phone calls, emails and text messaging as necessary.  Emergencies include but are not limited to the following situations.

●               Abduction

●               Armed Intruders / Active Shooters

●               Bomb Threats

●               Cyber Security Annex

●               Early or Alternate Emergency Dismissal

●               Elopement

●               Explosions

●               Fires

●               Hazardous Material Incident

●               Homeland Security Threats

●               Hostage Situations

●               Infectious Disease

●               Severe Weather

●               Student-Made Threats

●               Swatting

●               Suicidal Students

●               Suspicious Package Protocol

●               Suspicious Persons

 

Responses to Implied or Direct Threats of Violence^[46]

1.       Students are required to inform school staff about any direct or indirect threat of violence or actual act of violence to themselves, others or school property.

2.       Staff members are required to immediately inform the Principal or their designee of any direct or implied threat of violence or actual act of violence by students, teachers, or other school personnel including bus drivers and monitors as well as visitors to the school, including threats by students against themselves, which shall include suicide.  The Principal or their designee decides whether to utilize the building’s trained clinician(s) in an effort to de-escalate or defuse the situation.

3.       The district disseminates educational material, including but not limited to emails and formal brochures, encouraging parents and visitors to tell school staff about any direct or implied threat of violence or actual acts of violence by students, teachers, other school personnel and visitors to the school, including threats by students against themselves.

4.       After considering the specificity/generality of the threat or severity of the violent act, the Principal or their designee will determine whether to immediately contact the Superintendent of Schools or the Assistant Superintendent to advise them of the threat, obtain assistance to determine the severity of the threat or report the violent act.  The Principal will have the discretion to report minor incidents to the Superintendent verbally and/or in memorandum form after the situation has been resolved.

5.       Each building has the availability of a Threat Assessment Team. This is a multi-disciplinary team that uses a nationally recognized evidence-based model to evaluate threats and implement the necessary mitigation steps to help prevent a threat from escalation to an act of violence.

6.       The building administrator will investigate reported threats of violence and will make the determination of disciplinary measures consistent with the District’s Code of Conduct.  Chronic offenders may require a behavior plan or contract, close monitoring, and/or police involvement.

Protocols for a State Disaster Emergency Involving a Communicable Disease

The following procedures provide a general overview of the District's response to a State Disaster Emergency and may require modification during an actual event based on a number of factors. The District will follow current guidance from the County Department of Health, State Department of Health and the State Education Department related to masking, distancing, quarantines, and other health-related requirements.

Background

In September 2020, Governor Cuomo signed legislation that requires all New York State public employers to adopt a plan for operations in the event of a declared state disaster emergency involving a communicable disease. The new legislation will constitute New York State Labor Law Section 27-c, and served as a response to the effects of the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Spring of 2020.  In addition to 27-C, the following section was added to 2801-a of the Education Law that required additions to the District Plan.

Protocols

1. In the event of a state-ordered reduction of the District’s in-person workforce, the following is a list of essential employees.

 

 

2. To enable all non-essential employees to telecommute, District staff will be guided by the Washingtonville Central School District Reopening Plan that can be found on the District website.
3. In an effort to reduce overcrowding at the worksite:

 

          ●  Class schedules may be staggered to a morning and afternoon cohort.

          ●  In-person days may be staggered by cohorts groups.

          ● Follow CDC/Health Department mandates for numbers permitted on site

          ● Staff and students may walk or drive a personal vehicle to campus.

          ● Staff may be required to arrive on campus prior to students in a staggered work shift or staggered assigned day of work.

         ●  Employees may be permitted to work remotely.

         ●  Visitors may not be permitted on campus during school hours.

4. A quantity of personal protective equipment (PPE), sufficient to provide to all essential employees, will be procured, stored, and managed as follows:

         ● The Facilities Department will maintain an inventory of PPE in accordance with NYS Education Department guidelines, and continually restock the same as needed.

       ● Storage of personal protective equipment will be on campus and comply with the manufacturer’s storage recommendations for each item.

       ● PPE equipment will be readily available, if needed.

5. In the event an employee or student is exposed to a known case of a communicable disease that is subject to a state disaster emergency involving a communicable disease, exhibits symptoms of such disease, or tests positive for such disease, the District will respond as per the Washingtonville Central School District - District Wide Safety Plan that can be found on the district website https://sway.office.com/hgvVucmSq7zEfUZw?ref=Link  under the Annual Notices section of the site.
6. All essential employees will have their hours and work locations documented, including off-site visits, by:

        ● All entrances will be locked and monitored by security guard/greeter.

        ● All employees will use their access card  for entrance which documents their arrival on premises.

        ● Payroll, attendance, and/or time cards will further document an employee’s presence on campus.

        ● Non-essential visitors will be not be allowed on site.

7. If emergency housing is needed to further contain the spread of the communicable disease, the Washingtonville Central  School District will lodge an essential employee at a local hotel bearing the full cost of the stay.
8. OTHER: Any other requirements determined by the Department of Health such as contract tracing or testing, physical distancing, hygiene, and disinfectant, or mask-wearing.

 

Responses to Acts of Violence^[47]

1.       The Principal or their designee will determine whether to contact law enforcement personnel.  Threats or actions placing students, staff and others in imminent danger require an immediate LOCKDOWN protocol followed by a call to the police and the District Superintendent (if safe to do so).  Violent offenses defined in the S.A.V.E. regulations will also require the involvement of the police.

2.       The Principal, and/or their designee then determine the appropriateness of directing the Building-level  Emergency Response Team to be activated.

3.       The Building-level Emergency Response Team (BERT) consisting of trained staff and school personnel may assist with an Evacuation, Lockout, Shelter-in-Place, Hold-in-Place, or Early Dismissal and will follow the appropriate protocol (see appendices for further information).  The Incident Command System (ICS) under the National Incident Management System (NIMS) should be followed as closely as possible to ensure good coordination between the building-level teams, District leadership, and responding agencies.

4.       If the threat of violence or danger is imminent, a Lockdown may be utilized.  A Lockdown is time sensitive and therefore may be requested by any school staff member based on the incident and timely need for the Lockdown. During the Lockdown, all school staff, students, and visitors (including all BERT members) are required to Lockdown  in the nearest lockable space and await further instruction, or in some situations, evacuate the campus.

5.       Procedures for contacting parents, guardians and persons in parental relation to students in the event of a violent incident or early dismissal are detailed in each building-level emergency plan. The use of the District’s mass communication system is typically utilized.

6.       Aggressively dangerous and violent students, staff or visitors shall be managed as outlined by the procedures detailed in the district Code of Conduct.

7.       The building administrator will investigate reported threats of violence and will make the determination of disciplinary measures consistent with the District’s Code of Conduct. 

8.       School administrators must keep records of serious threats and acts of violence and report them annually to the state.

9.      Prompt contact with appropriate law enforcement officials is essential in the event of a violent incident. These relationships have been established by participation of local response officials on Building-Level Emergency Response Teams. These individuals and appropriate means of contact are documented in each Building-Level Emergency Response Plan.^[48] Everyone has the ability to institute an emergency response i.e. Lockdown.  There would be a call to the building law enforcement officer as well a call/calls to 911. 

10.   The district has a zero-tolerance policy for acts of school violence.

 

Identification of District Resources Which May Be Available for Use During an Emergency^[49]

District resources are available in each building and stored in a central location. Each building will designate a Command Post. The list, which is not meant to be inclusive, requires the following items: 

●        Copy of District-Wide School Safety Plan

●        Building-level Emergency Plan

●        Quick reference Emergency Management Procedures 

●        List of emergency telephone numbers 

●        Building floor plans 

●        Telephones 

●        Radio communications

●        Weather radio 

●        Flashlights

●        Photocopier 

●        Computer 

●        Student rosters 

●        List of individuals with special needs and specific evacuation plans 

●        Telephone numbers for parents/guardians  Information about emergency needs (e.g. students/staff that require medications, vehicular transportation issues, etc.) 

●        School and staff census information

 

Coordination and School District Resources and Manpower During Emergencies^[50]

The District will, as appropriate, utilize all available manpower during an emergency. Within each building, schools may use the Staff All Call response protocol, that quickly summons all available staff members to a staging area for assignments. Coordination of available employees is typically performed by the Principal or their designee.  Specific job duties will be assigned based on the type of emergency and in compliance with the appropriate district and building emergency response procedure.  Additional district resources may be requested by any building administrator or designee as needed. The Superintendent or their designee will call in all available maintenance and custodial staff to provide support during an emergency as needed. Assistance from outside government agencies may also be requested.  A specific list of available resources may be found in Appendix 4 of this plan.

          

Participating in Unified Command under ICS Principles

 

Assignment of Responsibilities

A chain of command consistent with the National Interagency Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS) will be used in response to an emergency.  Members of the School, Emergency Response Team, will be part of this system.  In the event of an emergency, the response team will adopt NIMS/ICS principles based on the size, scope, and character of the emergency.

 

         1. All administrators and Building-level Emergency Response Teams members shall complete the incident command training level one.

 

       2. All District Emergency Response Team members shall complete incident command training level one and level two.

ICS Positions

The number of ICS positions filled will be dependent upon the scope of the incident.

     ●     Incident Commander – Responsible for the direction of the building response in a building-level emergency (Building Administrator/designee).

     ●     Public Information Officer – Compiles and releases information to the news media.

     ●     Safety Officer – Monitors the response to prevent injuries from occurring to both those involved in the incident and those trying to resolve it.

     ●     Liaison – Represents the District by working with responding agencies (law enforcement, fire department, EMS, utilities, etc.) and other school districts that may be involved in the incident.

     ●     Incident Log – Keeps a written log of all incident events and updates appropriate command post personnel on significant developments.

    ●     Operations – responsible for directing the implementation of action plans and strategies for incident resolution.

    ●     Logistics – Responsible for providing all resources (personnel, equipment, facilities and services) required for incident resolution.

    ●     Planning/Intelligence – Responsible for collecting, evaluating, and disseminating the information needed to measure the size, scope and seriousness of an incident and to plan a response.

    ●     Administration/Finance – Responsible for all cost and financial matters related to the incident.

 

Emergency Remote Instruction

Overview

The District may offer remote instruction  to students in the event-of-an-emergency condition, including, but not limited to, extraordinary adverse weather conditions, impairment of heating facilities, insufficiency of water supply, shortage of fuel, destruction of a school building, or a communicable disease outbreak.

When making decisions about remote instruction, the District will consult with students, parents, teachers, administrators, community members, and other stakeholders as appropriate. When implementing remote instruction, the District will ensure that it is complying with applicable teaching and learning requirements.

Definitions

1. "Asynchronous instruction" means instruction where students engage in learning without the direct presence (remote or in-person) of a teacher.
2. "Non-digital and/or audio-based instruction" means instruction accessed synchronously and/or asynchronously through paper-based materials where the student to teacher interaction occurs via telephone or other audio platforms. 
3. "Remote instruction" means instruction provided by an appropriately certified teacher who is not in the same in-person physical location as the student(s) receiving the instruction, where there is regular and substantive daily interaction between the student and teacher.
   1.  Remote instruction will encompass synchronous instruction provided through digital video- based technology and may also include asynchronous instruction intended to complement synchronous instruction. Digital video-based technology includes online technology and videoconferencing technology.
   2. Remote instruction may encompass non-digital and audio-based asynchronous and/or synchronous instruction where this instruction is more appropriate for a student's educational needs.
4. "Synchronous instruction" means instruction where students engage in learning in the direct presence (remote or in-person) of a teacher in real time.

Formats and Methods of Remote Instruction

Remote instruction may be delivered through a variety of formats and methods. Determinations about how to best deliver remote instruction will take into account a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the number of students involved, the subject matter, the students' grade levels, and technological resources of both the District and students. Consideration will also be given to whether accommodations need to be made for students with disabilities or English language learners.  Each school's Building-level Emergency Response Plan will contain this confidential information in the Continuity of Instruction Plan (COIP) section.

Instructional Options

The District may engage students in synchronous and asynchronous learning on days of remote instruction under emergency conditions with an expectation that asynchronous instruction is supplementary to synchronous instruction. When remote instruction by digital technology is unavailable, appropriate special accommodations for students will be made to aid their learning.

Computer and Connectivity Access for Students

The District will ensure that students have the necessary equipment at home to participate in remote instruction.^[51] No later than June 30th of each school year, the Superintendent will report to the Commissioner of Education the results of the survey on student access to computing devices and access to Internet connectivity on a form and format prescribed by the Commissioner.^[52] The information received from the survey will aid in the development/updates to the detailed Continuity of Instruction Plan in each school’s Building-level Emergency Response Plan.

Minimum Instructional Hours

Remote instruction provided on days when the District would have otherwise closed due to an emergency condition may be counted toward the annual hourly requirement for the purpose of state aid. The Superintendent will certify to the New York State Education Department, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner, that an emergency condition existed on a previously scheduled school day and that the District was in session and provided remote instruction on that day and indicate how many instructional hours were provided on that day and certify that remote instruction was provided in accordance with the District's emergency remote instruction plan.

Remote Instruction Support

As necessary, the District will provide instruction on using remote instruction technology and IT support for students, teachers, and families. The District will also work to ensure that teachers and administrators are provided with professional development opportunities related to designing an effective remote instruction experience.

Compliance with District Policies, Procedures, and the Code of Conduct

Teachers and students are required to comply with any and all applicable District policies, procedures, and other related documents as they normally would for in-person instruction. Examples include, but are not limited to, the District's policies and procedures on non-discrimination and anti- harassment, acceptable use, and copyright. Students will also be required to abide by the rules contained within the Code of Conduct at all times while engaged in remote instruction. Violations of the Code of Conduct and/or engaging in prohibited conduct may result in disciplinary action as warranted. [3] 

Privacy and Security of Student and Teacher Data

The District will take measures to protect the personally identifiable information of students and teachers from unauthorized disclosure or access when using remote instruction technologies in compliance with law, regulation, and District policy. Examples of these measures include, but are not limited to, minimizing the amount of data shared to only that which is necessary, de-identifying data, and using encryption or an equivalent technical control that renders personally identifiable information unusable, unreadable, or indecipherable to unauthorized persons when transmitted electronically.

View/download latest version of the
WCSD District-Wide Safety Plan.

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^[44] 155.17(c)(1)(xviii) in the case of a school district, except in a school district in a city having more than one million inhabitants, a system for informing all educational agencies within such school district of a disaster;

^[45] 155.17(c)(1)(xv) the identification of appropriate responses to emergencies, including protocols for responding to bomb threats, hostage-takings, intrusions and kidnappings;

^[46] 155.17(c)(1)(i)policies and procedures for responding to implied or direct threats of violence by students, teachers, other school personnel, including bus drivers and monitors as well as visitors to the school, including threats by students against themselves, which for the purposes of this subdivision shall include suicide;

^[47] 155.17(c)(1)(ii) policies and procedures for responding to acts of violence by students, teachers, other school personnel including bus drivers and monitors as well as visitors to the school, including consideration of zero-tolerance policies for school violence;

^[48] 155.17(c)(1)(iv) policies and procedures for contacting the appropriate law enforcement officials in the event of a violent incident;

^[49] 155.17(c)(1)(vii) except in a school district in a city having a population of more than one million inhabitants, the identification of district resources which may be available for use during an emergency;

^[50] 155.17(c)(1)(viii) except in a school district in a city having a population of more than one million inhabitants, a description of procedures to coordinate the use of school district resources and manpower during emergencies, including identification of the officials authorized to make decisions and of the staff members assigned to provide assistance during emergencies;

^[51] 155.17(xxi)(a) ensure computing devices will be made available to students

^[52] 155.17(f)(2) Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, each chief executive officer shall report to the Commissioner, no later than June 30 of each school year, on a form and format prescribed by the Commissioner, the results of the survey on student access to computing devices and access to internet connectivity

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Obtaining assistance during emergencies from emergency service organizations and local government agencies ^[53]

        1.    The district continues to work closely with local police, fire, EMS, and governmental agencies to obtain assistance during emergencies.  Representatives helped in the development of this plan, have assisted in emergency drills, and provided technical assistance.  Providers have given approval to the district to rely on local personnel, resources, and facilities in emergency situations.

       2.    The district maintains an updated list of local, county, and state agencies and personnel to contact to obtain assistance. The district will utilize the 911 system and/or cell phones of the local police.   The superintendent or their designee will initiate the contact when needed. 

Obtaining advice and assistance from local government officials, including the county or city officials responsible for implementation of article 2-B of the Executive Law^[54]

       1.    The district maintains an updated list of local and county emergency organizations, agencies, and government officials responsible for implementation of Article 2-B of the Executive Law. The superintendent and their designee will initiate the contact when needed. The Incident Commander will call 911 with specific information (type of emergency, location, numbers of people affected, directions, etc.) The local agencies (police, fire, ambulance) will respond first. Local agencies that respond will contact county, state and federal agencies if necessary, or if a disaster is declared will invoke Article 2-B.

     2.    Post-incident response coordinated through local and county agencies (Red Cross, United Way agencies, mental health resources).
    
     3.    The key officials in local government that can help to develop plans and assist in emergency situations as listed in emergency situations are listed in Appendix 4. Key government agencies are listed below:

              1.    Orange County OEM
              2.    Sheriff’s Department
              3.    New York State Police        
             4.    Orange County Police Department
             5.    Washingtonville Fire Department
             6.    Blooming Grove Ambulance
             7.    Red Cross

Contacting Parents, Guardians or Persons in Parental Relation to the Students of the District in the Event of a Violent Incident or an Early Dismissal^[55]

In the event of violent incidents or crises, or an early dismissal of students, every effort will be made to notify parents. A Connect-ed message will be sent out as appropriate for the situation using the various formats available phone call, email and/or text message.  As soon as practical, the Superintendent or their designee shall activate the emergency notification system that will provide relevant information. Parental notification procedures for a student involved in disciplinary situations shall be consistent with the Code of Conduct and New York State law, and shall be presented clearly and concisely to staff and students each year. 

When a student is involved in any violent situation, or an implied or direct threat of violence by such student against themselves, including suicide, parent or guardian shall be contacted as soon as practicable.^[56] Administration shall utilize school mental health resources when necessary.

It is the responsibility of all parents and guardians to ensure that emergency contact information for students is always up-to-date and complete.

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WCSD District-Wide Safety Plan.

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^[53] 155.17(c)(1)(v) except in a school district in a city having a population of more than one million inhabitants, a description of the arrangements for obtaining assistance during emergencies from emergency services organizations and local governmental agencies;

^[54] 155.17(c)(1)(vi) except in a school district in a city having a population of more than one million inhabitants, a description of the arrangements for obtaining assistance during emergencies from emergency services organizations and local governmental agencies;

^[55] 155.17(c)(1)(ix) policies and procedures for contacting parents, guardians or persons in parental relation to the students of the district in the event of a violent incident or an early dismissal;

^[56] 155.17(c)(1)(x) policies and procedures for contacting parents, guardians or persons in parental relation to an individual student of the district in the event of an implied or direct threat of violence by such student against themselves, which for the purposes of this subdivision shall include suicide;

Continuity of Operations

This district maintains continuity of operations at both the district and building-level to ensure that essential functions continue during an emergency and its immediate aftermath.  Essential functions include business services (payroll and purchasing), communication (internal and external), computer and systems support, facilities maintenance, safety and security, and continuity of instruction. Specific continuity plans are contained within each Building-level Emergency Response Plan.

 

Continuity of Instruction

The District offers a suite of online instructional tools that can be used to support remote instruction and communication. General instructional tools for communicating with students include online services including:

        ●        Google Drive with shared folders

        ●        GSuite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Classroom, Sites)

        ●        Gmail

        ●        Seesaw

Detailed grade-specific remote instructional procedures are contained within each building-level emergency plan.  

Note: The local public Library online resources are available remotely and can be accessed by students who have a library card.

District Support for Buildings

When the Chief Emergency Officer is notified that an emergency exists, he/she will respond accordingly.

Members of the District Safety Team will assist as needed either at their respective Building Command Posts or by responding where directed by the Incident Commander(s). The District Safety Team will assign such other personnel as deemed necessary to meet the needs of the situation.

The District Safety Team members will remain at their assigned posts until the Incident Commander(s) has determined that the emergency is over, or it is unsafe, or no longer necessary to remain, or need to relocate.

Should the incident involve a single building, at the discretion of the District Safety Team leader in consultation with that building’s administrators and Building Emergency Response Team (BERT), other school buildings may be called to support the Building Emergency Response Team in that building.

Should the incident involve multiple buildings, at the discretion of the District Safety Team leader, in consultation with building administrators, additional mental health support from the County Crisis Team and local area hospitals may be solicited to support the Emergency Response Teams in the affected building(s).

In any case, a “debriefing”, or post-incident analysis, will be facilitated by the District Safety Team.  This process will include a review of the actual incident, the Team’s response to the incident, and post-traumatic incident debriefing.

District clinicians (or, mental health professionals from outside agencies if they have been involved) will provide ongoing as-needed support to the Team members, and will monitor post-traumatic stress symptoms in team members.  As appropriate, team members may be provided with a referral to EAP and/or with information regarding private mental health providers in the area.

Principal(s) are expected to consult with the District Public Information Officer in composing letters to parents following any emergency. The District’s Public Information Officer will assist in sending mass communication messages to affected groups. The District’s Liaison Officer will communicate with outside agencies, such as the County Health Department, to provide necessary services following any emergency.

Disaster Mental Health Services

The District Liaison Officer will communicate with outside agencies, such as the County Health Department, to provide necessary mental health services following any emergency. District mental health providers may be temporarily reassigned to assist in the recovery process.

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WCSD District-Wide Safety Plan.

District Office
52 West Main Street
Washingtonville, NY 10992
Phone: 845-497-4030

Washingtonville High School
54 West Main Street
Washingtonville, NY 10992
Phone: 845-497-4000

Little Britain Elementary School
1160 Little Britain Road
New Windsor, NY  12553
Phone: 845-497-4000

Round Hill Elementary School
1314 Route 208
Washingtonville, NY 10992
Phone: 845-497-4000

Taft Elementary School
20 Toleman Road
Washingtonville, NY 10992
Phone: 845-497-4000

Washingtonville Middle School
38 West Main St.
Washingtonville, NY 10992
Phone: 845-497-4000

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WCSD District-Wide Safety Plan.

Due to the sensitive safety and security information contained in each Building-level Emergency Response Plan, these plans are confidential and not available for public dissemination.  Copies of plans are maintained at each school building and the District office.

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WCSD District-Wide Safety Plan.

Any applicable Memoranda of Understanding relevant to implementation of the District-wide and Building-level Emergency Response Plans are on file in the district office.

Purpose of MOU: The purpose of this Agreement is to formalize and clarify the roles and responsibilities of the District and the Town of Blooming Grove. 

Services Provided by Agency/Vendor: School Resource Officer(s)

Dates MOU is in Force: 2023-24 School Year

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WCSD District-Wide Safety Plan.

Dr. Larry Washington
Superintendent of Schools
845-497-4000, x27001

Sandra Colhessey
Asst. Superintendent, Business/Emergency
845-497-4000

Lynn Imperato
Director of Personnel
845-497-4000, x27012

Barbara Quinn
Asst. Superintendent, Curriculum 
845-497-4000, x27021

Joseph Catania
Director of Data Management & Technology
845-497-4009

Ralph Perez
Transportation Supervisor
845- 497-4000, x27135

Jess Edwards
Bus Dispatch Office/Head Bus Driver
845-497-4000, x27134

Andrea Karnvezos
Head Bus Driver
845-497-4000, x27136

Carrie Rodriguez
District Clerk
845-497-4000, x24500

Mike Bieger
Public Information    

Paul Nienstadt
Director of Facilities
845-497-4000 x27111

Suzanne Lendzian
Athletic Director
845-497-4000x24562

Robert Gellman
Cafeteria Services
845-497-4000 x 27122 

Mr. Thomas Devinko
City Mayor    
845-496-3221

Brian Bates
- Washingtonville Fire Department
   845-496-5247
- Blooming Grove Ambulance
   845-496-9281

Steven M. Neuhaus
Orange County County Executive
845-291-2700

Alan C. Mack
Emergency Management
845-615-0400

Peter Cirigliano
Public Safety Commissioner
845-615-0400

Dr. Irina Gelman DPM, MPH, PHDc
County Health Dept.    
845-291-4000

Red Cross Emergency Services
845-673-5693

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WCSD District-Wide Safety Plan.

●    155.17(b)(14) District-wide school safety team means a district-wide team appointed by the board of education, the chancellor in the case of New York City, or other governing board.  The district-wide team shall include, but not be limited to, representatives of the school board, teacher, administrator, and parent organizations, school safety personnel,  school bus drivers and monitors (2801-a), and other school personnel. At the discretion of the board of education, or the chancellor in the case of the City of New York, a student may be allowed to participate on the safety team, provided however, that no portion of a confidential building-level emergency response plan shall be shared with such student nor shall such student be present where details of a confidential building-level emergency response plan or confidential portions of a district-wide emergency response strategy are discussed.
●    155.17(c)(1)(i) policies and procedures for responding to implied or direct threats of violence by students, teachers, other school personnel and visitors to the school, including threats by students against themselves, which for the purposes of this subdivision shall include suicide;
●    155.17(c)(1)(iii) appropriate prevention and intervention strategies, such as: (a) collaborative arrangements with State and local law enforcement officials, designed to ensure that school safety officers and other security personnel are adequately trained, including being trained to de-escalate potentially violent situations, and are effectively and fairly recruited; (b) nonviolent conflict resolution training programs; (c) peer mediation programs and youth courts; and (d) extended day and other school safety programs;
●    155.17(c)(1)(iv) policies and procedures for contacting the appropriate law enforcement officials in the event of a violent incident;
●    155.17(c)(1)(v) except in a school district in a city having a population of more than one million inhabitants, a description of the arrangements for obtaining assistance during emergencies from emergency services organizations and local governmental agencies;
●    155.17(c)(1)(vi) except in a school district in a city having a population of more than one million inhabitants, the procedures for obtaining advice and assistance from local government officials, including the county or city officials responsible for implementation of article 2-B of the Executive Law;
●    155.17(c)(1)(vii) except in a school district in a city having a population of more than one million inhabitants, the identification of district resources which may be available for use during an emergency;
●    155.17(c)(1)(viii) except in a school district in a city having a population of more than one million inhabitants, a description of procedures to coordinate the use of school district resources and manpower during emergencies, including identification of the officials authorized to make decisions and of the staff members assigned to provide assistance during emergencies;
●    155.17(c)(1)(ix) policies and procedures for contacting parents, guardians or persons in parental relation to the students of the district in the event of a violent incident or an early dismissal;
●    155.17(c)(1)(x) policies and procedures for contacting parents, guardians or persons in parental relation to an individual student of the district in the event of an implied or direct threat of violence by such student against themselves, which for the purposes of this subdivision shall include suicide;
●    155.17(c)(1)(xi) policies and procedures relating to school building security, including, where appropriate, the use of school safety officers and/or security devices or procedures;
●    155.17(c)(1)(xii) policies and procedures for the dissemination of informative materials regarding the early detection of potentially violent behaviors, including but not limited to the identification of family, community and environmental factors to teachers, administrators, parents and other persons in parental relation to students of the school district or board, students and other persons deemed appropriate to receive such information;
●    155.17(c)(1)(xiii) policies and procedures for annual multi-hazard school safety training for staff and students, provided that the district must certify to the commissioner that all staff have undergone annual training by September 15, 2016 and each subsequent September 15th thereafter on the building-level emergency response plan which must include components on violence prevention and mental health, provided further that new employees hired after the start of the school year shall receive such training within 30 days of hire or as part of the district’s existing new hire training program, whichever is sooner;
●    155.17(c)(1)(xiv) procedures for review and the conduct of drills and other exercises to test components of the emergency response plan, including the use of tabletop exercises, in coordination with local and county emergency responders and preparedness officials;
●    155.17(c)(1)(xv) the identification of appropriate responses to emergencies, including protocols for responding to bomb threats, hostage-takings, intrusions and kidnappings;
●    155.17(c)(1)(xvi) strategies for improving communication among students and between students and staff and reporting of potentially violent incidents, such as the establishment of youth- run programs, peer mediation, conflict resolution, creating a forum or designating a mentor for students concerned with bullying or violence and establishing anonymous reporting mechanisms for school violence;
●    155.17(c)(1)(xvii) a description of the duties of hall monitors and any other school safety personnel, the training required of all personnel acting in a school security capacity, and the hiring and screening process for all personnel acting in a school security capacity;
●    155.17(1)(c)(xix) the designation of the superintendent, or superintendent’s designee, as the district chief emergency officer whose duties shall include, but not be limited to: (a) coordination of the communication between school staff, law enforcement, and other first responders; (b) lead the efforts of the district-wide school safety team in the completion and yearly update of the district-wide school safety plan and the coordination of the district-wide plan with the building-level emergency response plans; (c) ensure staff understanding of the district–wide school safety plan; (d) ensure the completion and yearly update of building-level emergency response plans for each school building; (e) assist in the selection of security related technology and development of procedures for the use of such technology; (f) coordinate appropriate safety, security, and emergency training for district and school staff, including required training in the emergency response plan; (g) ensure the conduct of required evacuation and lock-down drills in all district buildings as required by Education Law section 807; and (h) ensure the completion and yearly update of building-level emergency response plans by the dates designated by the commissioner.
●    155.17(c)(2)(h) Fire and emergency drills. Each school district and board of cooperative educational services shall, at least once every school year, and where possible in cooperation with local county emergency preparedness plan officials, conduct one test of its emergency response procedures under each of its building-level emergency response plans, including sheltering, lock-down, or early dismissal, at a time not to occur more than 15 minutes earlier than the normal dismissal time.
●    155.17(h)(i)Except in a school district in a city having a population of more than one million inhabitants, the chief executive officer of each educational agency located within a public school district shall provide to the superintendent of schools information about school population, number of staff, transportation needs and the business and home telephone numbers of key officials of such educational agencies.