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Hermitage School District

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School Safety and Security

School Safety and Security

The safety of the students and staff in the Hermitage School District is paramount. The information that relates to school safety, however, can be extremely sensitive in nature. Because of this, we have offered few details in the past regarding the measures we take to ensure a safe and secure District. 

With that being said, we understand that communication is one of the best ways to help families feel reassured about their child’s wellbeing. The goal of this page is to provide a general overview of the various plans, procedures and programs in place to support school safety measures. If, at any time, you have any questions regarding the information provided, please contact our District Safety and Security Coordinator, Nanci Hosick, at 724-981-8750, ext. 6150. 

The descriptions below will provide you with an understanding of several of the safety and security measures that exist within the Hermitage School District based on State Mandates. The list is not meant to be exhaustive, as many school safety details are not meant to be shared with the public.

  1. School emergency communication procedures
  1. School Safety and Security chart of work

Based on a rubric created by the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency, this chart of work describes the mechanisms in place that are recommended per the three categories for school safety: Building Logistics/Physical Security; Training/Reporting procedures; and Student Assistance, Behavioral Health and School Climate supports.

  1. Annual student trainings on topics related to school safety.
  • K-3: Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter Evacuate (A.L.I.C.E), gun safety, building and bus evacuation drills, disaster drills
  • 4-7: A.L.I.C.E., gun safety, building and bus evacuation drills, disaster drills
  • 8-12: A.L.I.C.E., gun safety, building and bus evacuation drills, disaster drills, the effects of teen drinking and drug use, drug awareness, pre-prom DUI awareness.
  1. Weapon detectors

Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, the district will utilize weapon detectors at entrance locations to scan students and their belongings as they enter the school. A School Resource Officer, along with other school personnel, will regulate the process.

  1. Threat assessment team

In June of 2019, legislation was enacted to assist schools in creating safer environments. Article XIII-E: Threat Assessment was added to the Pennsylvania School Code. This law requires that school entities establish threat assessment team(s), procedures, and reporting protocols. HSD has three active teams established. The threat assessment process is a prevention strategy used to identify and assess threats before the act occurs. Statistics show that students usually plan out acts toward themselves and others in advance, exhibiting observable behaviors and making others aware of their plans. The school community’s awareness and participation in the threat assessment process will help to ensure everyone’s safety. The threat assessment is enacted when the school receives a report of a student posing a threat to him/herself, to another student, or to groups of students.

  1. Crisis team

A school district crisis response team (SCRT) is a group of school personnel who work together with parents, police, and mental health professionals to address the emotional responses that can arise from critical situations, such as the loss of a student or staff member.

  1. Gun Safety Task force 

In collaboration with the Hermitage Police Department Community Liaison officer, Sam Staples, the HSD School Resource officers have created a Gun Safety Task force to help spread awareness to parents about gun safety. Preventing children from gaining access to guns begins with educating and supporting parents. Free gun locks are available to any HSD parent upon request. 

  1. Anti-bullying/anti-harassment measures: Safe2Say

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive, repeated behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived imbalance of power. The school district anti-bullying policy ensures that when this repeated behavior occurs, it is addressed through consequences, peer mediation and/or other measures to ensure the victim is supported. When a persistent situation is occurring, we ask students and parents to notify their building principal immediately. If a student is uncomfortable making a report to a school official, we encourage him/her to use the Safe2Say platform. Students are provided with information each fall on how to download the app. They can report using the app, by calling 1-800-SAF2SAY, or by going online at Safe2SaySomething.

Safe2SaySomething (S2SS): In 2018, the General Assembly passed Act 44 mandating the establishment and use of the “Safe2Say Something” (S2SS) anonymous reporting system by every Pennsylvania school entity. S2SS is a life-saving and changing school safety program that teaches students, educators, and administrators how: (1) to recognize the signs and signals of individuals who may be at risk of hurting themselves or others and (2) to anonymously report this information through the S2SS app, website, or 24/7 Crisis Center Hotline.

S2SS Works Through 5 Easy Steps:

  1. A tip is submitted via mobile app, website, or by calling the PA-based 24/7 Crisis Center.
  2. The tip is then triaged by the Crisis Center to gather enough information to act.
  3. The tip is delivered to the impacted school and, as needed, local law enforcement via 911 County Dispatch.
  4. Simultaneously, the school and, if needed, local law enforcement, assess and intervene with the at-risk individual by contacting their parents and addressing the concerns or threats. 
  5. The school administrative team manages the situation locally, but also documents their actions taken with the Safe2Say Crisis Center as a record for their school.
  1. All Hazards Plan

Each school district – in cooperation with the local emergency management agency and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) – must have a comprehensive disaster response and emergency preparedness plan. By September 30 of each year, school districts must gather information on school buildings, students, staff and utilities, and have it available at the Incident Command Post.

  1. Response and Handling of a Student with a Disability (Behavior supports)

Each school entity must provide a copy of its procedures on behavior support services to the local police department having jurisdiction over the school district. Representatives from the local police department must be invited to participate in trainings in the use of positive behavior supports, de-escalation techniques, and appropriate responses to student behavior that may require immediate intervention, as provided by the school entity’s special education plan and positive behavior support program.

  1. Mandated reporters

All school employees are trained as mandated reporters, and as such are required to make an immediate report of any suspected abuse to the state ChildLine Office. Additionally, employees must also alert their school administrator.

  1. School Safety and Security Coordinator

Each school entity must have a school safety and security coordinator appointed by the chief administrator. When a vacancy exists, it must be filled within 30 days. 

The coordinator is responsible for overseeing all school security personnel (police officers, security guards, school resource officers) and for overseeing all policies and procedures related to security and safety. 

Specific duties include reviewing the school’s policies and procedures relative to school safety and security and coordinating training and resources for students and staff in matters relating to: 

  • Situational awareness
  • Trauma-informed approaches
  • Behavioral health awareness
  • Suicide and bullying awareness
  • Substance abuse awareness
  • Emergency procedures and training drills