School Safety and Belonging
School Safety
General Information
School Safety & Security General Information
The safety of our schools is a priority that the Spring Grove Area School District (SGASD) takes very seriously. SGASD takes a layered approach to uphold its mission of providing a safe learning environment for our students, and some of these steps are listed below:
- Integration of Law Enforcement
- Facilities and Campus Safety And Security Measures
- Student Awareness and Preparedness
- Mental and Behavioral Health Services
- Community Partnerships
- Emergency Preparedness
- Safety and Security Assessments and Ongoing Evaluations
Integration of Law Enforcement
- For over a decade, SGASD has partnered with Northern York County Regional Police Department to provide a presence within schools. The SROs are visible within our school buildings and help to build relationships that foster open communication. SGASD currently contracts two for SROs to rotate among the school buildings.
- In addition to the School Resource Officers (SROs), it is common practice for the Northern York County Regional Department to perform daily walk-throughs of each school building.
Facilities and Campus Safety And Security Measures
- The District has video surveillance in each school building and on school campuses.
- All doors and entrances are locked throughout the day. Each building has a double-door designated single point of entry during school hours.
- Visitors must be cleared prior to entry. The District uses a double-buzz entry system that allows for increased visibility of visitors and an extra level of security prior to granting visitors entry to the building.
- All visitors are registered with the main office of the school building using the new Raptor Visitor Management System. Visitors must be scanned into the Raptor system with their photo ID and wear a visitor name badge at all times while in the school building. Visitors who do not have a photo ID or have not had their photo ID scanned into the Raptor system will not be permitted in the school beyond the main office.
- Enhanced use of radio communication between district personnel.
- Door signage and directional signage are installed in each school building to assist visitors and first responders with locating appropriate areas.
Student Awareness and Preparedness
- Students are encouraged to utilize situational awareness both in their physical surroundings and online.
- Students having any concerns or information involving potential threats to individuals and/or property are strongly encouraged to contact school officials or local law enforcement immediately.
- State and local tip lines for students:
- Safe2Say Something (S2SS) is a statewide anonymous tip line for students in grades 5 - 12. The tip line can be used to inform about bullying issues, and concern for the safety and welfare of peers. Students receive a refresher on using the system each school year.
- See Something; Say Something, a local tip line, has been established by the Northern York County Regional Police Department. The tip line phone number is 717-467-8355.
- Tipline posters are visible in every school building, encouraging students to report bullying issues, concern for the safety and welfare of peers.
- Safe2Say Something (S2SS) is a statewide anonymous tip line for students in grades 5 - 12. The tip line can be used to inform about bullying issues, and concern for the safety and welfare of peers. Students receive a refresher on using the system each school year.
- The School Resource Officers provide the following instruction and awareness to all grade levels K - 12:
- Alive @ 25 program within the High School Driver’s Education course
- Cyber safety at the Intermediate and Middle Schools
- Bus safety for kindergarten and first grade
- Law enforcement charges/legal ramifications at the High School
- Co-facilitates the Middle School Aevidum Club
- Member of the District Mental Wellness Council
- Member of the District Threat Assessment Team
- Interactions with students during lunch periods in all schools
- The Aevidum Club (I've Got Your Back) at the High School and Middle School works to create a school climate where students feel accepted, appreciated, acknowledged, and cared for. The club sees the importance of starting and continuing conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.
- WEB, which stands for "Where Everybody Belongs," is a middle school orientation and transition program that welcomes seventh graders and makes them feel comfortable throughout the first year of their middle school experience. WEB also acts as an anti-bullying program for your school by providing it with a cadre of student leaders who look for bullying behavior and help stop it. WEB allows older students to be aware of and report any negative behavior they see, creating a safer school for everybody.
- Project Team, in grades K - 6, is a school-wide program that addresses student social-emotional health, character building, and anti-bullying.
Mental and Behavioral Health Services
- The District provides mental health assistance to students and families with a wide range of service providers.
- On-site mental and behavioral health staff are employed by SGASD, which includes three school psychologists, a home school visitor, two social workers, and school counselors in every school.
- The District annually participates in the Pennsylvania Youth Survey to assess student perceptions of safety and risky behavior within the school and the community.
- SGASD schools have implemented several programs to provide students with a safe and supportive learning environment, including the Student Assistance Program (SAP) and peer mentoring initiatives.
- Student-led Aevidum suicide prevention club, "I've Got Your Back", at the High School and Middle School.
- District-wide training on trauma-informed practices.
- Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training offered to staff.
- Mental health adolescent first aid training has been provided to several departments within the District.
- A team of mental health staff within the District has been trained in threat assessment protocol.
- Additional staff completed SAP (Student Assistance Program) training.
Community Partnerships
- SGASD has a strong and ongoing partnership with both Northern York County Regional Police.
- SGASD participates in the York County Safety Council and the Safe School Association of York County.
- The District works together with TrueNorth Wellness Services to provide school-based therapy on-site and SAP (Student Assistance Program) services.
- The District has a partnership with River Rock Academy, a provider of customized alternative education services for students.
- SGASD is an active partner in the York County Mental Health Alliance for Youth.
- SGASD was awarded a York County Systems of Care Grant for trauma-informed practices.
- SGASD partners with Care Solace to provide students and staff access to reliable, ethical, and high-quality mental health care services.
Emergency Preparedness
- Safety drills are practiced by all students and staff.
- SGASD collaborated with York County Emergency Management, police departments, and first responders to conduct a Critical Incident Response Exercise to evaluate the District’s emergency management plan.
- The District continuously reviews and evaluates its safety plans with professionals from York County Emergency Management and both police departments.
- SGASD adheres to the safety criteria outlined in the Pennsylvania Act 44 of 2018, including the designation of a School Security and Safety Coordinator (Bill Stiles). The District implemented safety and security trainings required by Act 44 and Act 18 of 2019.
- Stop the Bleed training for staff provided through the Northern Regional York County Police Department.
Safety and Security Assessments and Ongoing Evaluations
- SGASD coordinated with Northern York County Regional Police Department to complete safety and security assessments at each school building.
- The SGASD School Safety and Security Council made up of district staff, community stakeholders, local legislative representatives, emergency management personnel, and local law enforcement meets bi-annually to evaluate and discuss pertinent safety issues.
- A task force composed of members from the SGASD School Safety and Security Council was formed in the Spring of 2018 in response to the national attacks in school environments. The task force consists of parents, students, school administrators, teachers, school board members, & police chiefs. The Council is co-chaired by Bill Stiles, Facilities Services Manager, and Dr. Michelle Ludwig, Director of Pupil Services.
Community members, parents, staff, and students are an important part of creating a positive and safe environment in our schools. If you see, hear, or read something unsettling, please report it immediately to a school official and/or the police. We will continue to investigate any reported tips and remain vigilant in our efforts to maintain school safety.
The District greatly appreciates your continued support in creating a safe learning environment for our students. If you are interested in participating in our district-wide safety and security council, please contact Bill Stiles at stilesb@sgasd.org.
Everyone Belongs
Treating EVERYONE with respect is at the core of the District’s mission of providing a safe and engaging learning environment that will challenge and motivate all students to reach their full potential. The District respects, and teaches our students to respect, each other and our individual differences.
Our schools and our community should be a safe space for ALL students. Please know that the Spring Grove Area School District will NOT tolerate any form of racism, hate speech, or discrimination. The District has adopted and enforces policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and bullying. Those policies contain a complaint procedure available to all students and staff. Students are encouraged to notify a district staff member or another trusted adult if they are experiencing, or know of another student who is experiencing, any form of discrimination or hate.
EVERY incident that is reported to us is taken very seriously and is addressed and fully investigated by school officials in conjunction with a School Resource Officer. Students found in violation of the Code of Student Conduct or Board policy will face strict student disciplinary repercussions, as well as potential legal consequences. When school is not in session, the District encourages parents/guardians to contact the police should their student be experiencing any type of harassment or cyberbullying.
Spring Grove Area School District will continue to work in partnership with staff, students, families, and the community to make our schools safe for ALL. We continue to strive for a school environment and community where every person is safe and feels they belong.
Thank you for your partnership and commitment in creating a better world for our students and for each other.
Everyone Belongs Initiatives and Programs
Spring Grove Area Intermediate School Cultural Day
Sixth-grade students at Spring Grove Area Intermediate School are immersed in presentations where they learn about the traditions, foods, holidays, etc. of different cultures. After the presentations, students are invited to try new foods from various cultures represented in the program.
Spring Grove Area High School Leader In Me
Founded on the belief that everyone has the potential to lead, Leader in Me is a comprehensive framework that nurtures student leadership, fosters a culture of trust, and boosts academic success. The outcome of the Leader in Me Secondary process is to develop college, career, and life-ready leaders in a culture where staff and students are highly engaged.
Leadership for Diverse Schools
Spring Grove Area School District has participated in the Leadership York: Leadership for Diverse Schools program. Educators learn to interact more effectively with diverse populations of students, parents, and colleagues. The program fosters understanding, acceptance, and tolerance so the participants can be leaders in helping to build culturally proficient communities within their districts.
Aevidum
The word Aevidum means "I've got your back." The Aevidum club at Spring Grove Area High School works to create a school climate where students feel accepted, appreciated, acknowledged, and cared for. The club works to create a place where teachers, students, and staff embrace these values and support each other every day. Aevidum sees the importance of starting and continuing conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.
Friends and Fun Day
The Friends and Fun Festival club is for students that are interested in working with special needs students from Spring Grove High School as well as neighboring schools. The FFF is a field day type event that provides a fun and social experience for diverse students in the Autistic Support and Multiple Disabilities classrooms in Spring Grove Area School District.
GSA Club
The goal of the Gay-Straight Alliance Club (GSA) at the High School is to promote a safe community for every person regardless of his/her sexual preference or gender identity. Members of the GSA will work to increase awareness while educating the social community in a frank but respectful manner. The GSA is a creative and respectful outlet in which to understand all viewpoints. Most importantly, the GSA is a fun and exciting group in which to reduce social stigmas and lead by example.
WEB (Where Everyone Belongs)
WEB is a middle school orientation and transition program that welcomes 7th graders and makes them feel comfortable throughout the first year of their middle school experience. WEB also acts as an anti-bullying program for our school by providing it with a cadre of student leaders who look for bullying behavior and help stop it. WEB gives older students permission to be aware of and report any negative behavior they see, creating a safer school for everybody.
LINK Crew
Link Crew is a transition program that provides social and academic support throughout the year for ninth-grade students. This program utilizes upper-classmen as leaders, motivators, role models, and teachers. Selected leaders make a commitment to attend and actively participate in multiple training sessions as well as social events. They will also commit to working with and building relationships with a selected group of freshmen throughout the year.
Project TEAM
Project Team for grades K - 6 is a comprehensive bullying prevention/social and emotional school-wide program. Project TEAM aims to improve our schools’ climate and culture, making sure all students feel connected and part of the team. Students learn the six foundations of Project TEAM: Helping Others, Positive Change, Anti-Bullying, Problem Solving, Resiliency, and Leadership. Students will gain an understanding of what the foundations are, why they are important, and how to implement them in their lives in and out of school.
Diversity & Inclusion Club
The purpose of the Diversity & Inclusion Club at the High School is to create a team environment where learners from diverse backgrounds can come together to share experiences and perspectives in a socially and intellectually safe space and work together to spread the message of inclusion and respect throughout the school and community. Learners can partake in exploring various cultures and diversity within the community via field trips, guest speakers, and student-led cultural programs. The goal of the club is to expand awareness of differing viewpoints of the Spring Grove community members by sharing experiences and promoting active listening among the club members. Members should have a desire to promote acknowledgement, acceptance, and respect of various, diverse backgrounds that make up the Spring Grove student body.
Student Lighthouse
Spring Grove Area High School believes that leadership is influence, that everyone can have influence, and that everyone can be a leader. We also believe that leadership skills can be taught and learned. Students who are part of our Student Lighthouse have a more formalized opportunity to use the leadership skills they are learning in high school. The Student Lighthouse collaborates with staff and students to identify ways they can improve our school in three areas of focus: academics, culture, and leadership.
Bullying and Cyberbullying Information and Resources
The Board prohibits all forms of bullying by district students. Bullying means an intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, which occurs in a school setting and/or outside a school setting that is severe, persistent, or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:
- Substantially interfering with a student’s education
- Creating a threatening environment
- Substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
Bullying, as defined in Policy #249, includes cyberbullying via any form of electronic communication including, but not limited to, phone, text messaging, Internet, websites, email, blogs, chat rooms, and/or instant messaging. Cyberbullying may also constitute the crime of cyber harassment and, as such, may be subject to criminal prosecution in addition to disciplinary consequences under the Policy. Where appropriate, the Board directs that instances of bullying or cyberbullying be referred to law enforcement. In the event a student becomes aware of a bullying situation, that situation should be reported to the Building Principal or other responsible adult.
The information and resources below are from stopbullying.gov, a federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
How to Talk About Bullying
Talking about bullying can be difficult for everyone. There are many ways to raise the subject of bullying and start the conversation before bullying happens or if you are concerned that it may be happening.
- To learn how to talk to kids about bullying, read these tips for parents and caregivers.
- To learn how to talk to an adult about bullying, read these tips for youth.
What Is Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Learn more about cyberbullying.
Digital Awareness for Parents
While you may not be able to monitor all of your child’s activities, read about the things you can do to prevent cyberbullying and protect your child from harmful digital behavior.
Raptor Visitor Management
Raptor Visitor Management System
The District has been proactive in implementing a layered approach to school safety. We use the Raptor Visitor Management System to allow us to screen visitors in our schools and provide a safer environment for our students and staff.
Visitors who do not have a photo ID or have not had their photo ID scanned into the Raptor system will not be permitted in the school beyond the main office. Photo ID will not be necessary for those who visit our schools simply to drop off an item in the office or pick up paperwork.
How It Works
- Upon entering a district building during school hours, visitors will be asked to present an ID, such as a driver’s license, that will be entered into the Raptor system. If a visitor does not have a U.S. government-issued ID, the school staff member can use an alternate form of identification. The Raptor system checks the visitor’s name and date of birth with the national database of registered sex offenders.
- Raptor will issue a badge that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of his/her visit.
- Once the visitor’s ID has been scanned into the Raptor system, each SGASD school building can access the information without having to scan the ID again.
The District recognizes that privacy and confidentiality are important to our visitors, and that is why we want to emphasize that the registered sex offender database is the only official database checked by the Raptor system. No other data from the ID is gathered or recorded, and the information is not shared with any outside agency.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and your support in enhancing the school safety protocols of our district.
COVID-19 Health & Safety Plan
Each school district is required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to submit a Health and Safety Plan that outlines the specific procedures that will be used to ensure the safety of students and staff. It is required that the plan be Board-approved and submitted to PDE.
The Health and Safety Plan serves as the local guidelines for all instructional and non-instructional school activities for the Spring Grove Area School District (SGASD). As with all emergency plans, the Health and Safety Plan developed for SGASD is tailored to the unique needs of our school district.
Any updates to the plan will be posted on this webpage.
APR ESSER Health and Safety Plan - Board Reviewed 11.11.2024
Spring Grove Area School District (SGASD) is committed to making this website accessible to visitors with disabilities and is continually working to increase its accessibility and usability. If you need an alternative accessible format of the Health & Safety Plan document, please contact info@sgasd.org.
Safety Tip Lines
Northern York County Regional Police Tip Line
Students can report a tip regarding a safety concern and remain anonymous by using the Northern York County Regional Police Tip Line: 717-467-8355
Students having any concerns or information involving potential threats to individuals and/or property are strongly encouraged to contact school officials or local law enforcement immediately. Report suspicious behavior & safety issues to help others.
Safe2Say Something Tip Line
The Safe2Say Something (S2SS) anonymous reporting system for students in grades 5 - 12 in all Pennsylvania schools. The S2SS program is provided through Sandy Hook Promise, a national non-profit organization. It teaches students in grades 5 - 12 how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially on social media, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to say something to a trusted adult OR use its anonymous reporting system. The program connects the anonymous tip to local law enforcement, first response teams, and school administrators, as appropriate.
Specifically, the S2SS program educates participants to:
- Recognize the signs and signals of at-risk behaviors – especially on social media.
- Take every sign and signal seriously; act quickly to get help by talking to a trusted adult OR report it anonymously through the S2SS Office of the Attorney General 24/7 Crisis Center, mobile app, or website.
How It Works
- Submit an anonymous tip report through the Safe2SaySomething system
- Crisis center reviews, assesses, and processes all submissions
- Crisis center sends all submissions to school administration and/or law enforcement for intervention
- If needed, the crisis center may contact tipster anonymously through the app
SAFE2SAY Something Resources
Safe2Say Something Brochure - English version
Safe2Say Something Brochure - Spanish version