The Saucon Valley School District has an anonymous tip line that students, parents and community members can use to report information of a sensitive nature to to school officials via text, email or phone call.
Information about the Safe Schools Alert system was just one of the things superintendent Dr. Craig Butler shared in an email to parents Monday, in which he summarized the key points discussed at a Community Outreach Meeting about district safety and security protocols that was held earlier this month.
“First, we are placing greater emphasis on our mental health services with regard to identification, prevention and intervention,” Butler said. “We are working closely with two local agencies relative to behavioral interventions and screenings for students who experience challenges in this area, including those who may demonstrate violent tendencies towards themselves or others.”
Butler said Student Assistance Teams are being strengthened at the elementary, middle and high school levels in order to “better serve the students and families referred to the program by implementing improved strategies and renewing prior protocols by helping families access additional services they may need.”
The Safe Schools Alert system he referenced can be used to anonymously report things like bullying, harassment, drugs, vandalism or any safety issue by calling in or texting a tip to 484-626-5254 or emailing it to 15**@al****.us.
“Every tip Safe Schools Alert receives about our district is immediately logged in the system and our administration is notified so that they can investigate and take appropriate action,” according to the district’s website. In addition to safety issues, the alert system allows users to submit “Kudos” to recognize someone for a job well done.
Another thing Butler said is being done to help keep students and staff safe involves manpower provided by the Lower Saucon Township Police Department, whose officers “continue to provide visibility by doing walk-throughs in all school district buildings and having patrol units circulating the perimeter of the district on a daily basis,” he noted.
The ALICE enhanced lockdown training program will soon be fully implemented, Butler said, adding that the district will be providing “threat assessment” training for staff in the coming weeks.
“This training will allow us to more readily identify possible threats to the school district environment,” he said.
And with a state safety grant, Saucon Valley School District hopes to augment its communication devices and update its security camera system throughout the campus. The district’s Emergency Operations Plan has also been updated to include ALICE strategies and protocols, he added in conclusion.
