School Safety and Belonging

Our Commitment to Safety and Belonging

At Spring Grove Area School District, the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priorities. We believe that every child learns best in an environment where they feel safe, supported, and valued. From emergency preparedness and secure facilities to programs that foster kindness, inclusion, and connection, we take a proactive approach to protecting both the physical and emotional safety of our school community.

Together, with families, staff, students, and local partners, we are committed to creating a culture of care where everyone belongs and learning can truly happen without limits.

We invite you to explore the information below to learn more about our comprehensive safety programs and initiatives.

School Safety

School Safety & Security

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:

Shared Safety Language

Clear communication is key to keeping our schools safe. The following terms are part of our shared safety language, helping staff, students, and families understand what each response means and how we practice them throughout the year. Using consistent, clear language enables students and staff to respond confidently and helps families understand the meaning of various announcements.

Lockdown

Used when there is an immediate threat inside or very near the school.
During a lockdown, all classroom and office doors are locked, lights may be turned off, and everyone moves out of sight and remains silent until given the “all clear.”
This keeps students and staff safely secured while law enforcement or administration addresses the situation.

Shelter-in-Place

Used when it is safer to remain inside the building due to an external situation such as severe weather, a nearby police incident, or an environmental hazard.
During a shelter-in-place, doors are locked, students stay inside classrooms, and normal indoor activities may continue until the situation is resolved.

Evacuation

Used when it is safer to leave the building due to fire, gas leak, or another emergency.
Students and staff follow predetermined routes to an outdoor or off-site safe location, where attendance is taken and communication with families begins as needed.

Reunification

If an incident closes a building or requires students to leave the building or campus, the district’s reunification process ensures students are safely released to their parents or guardians at a designated site.
Details about reunification procedures would be communicated directly to families in the event of an emergency using our notification system.

Safety Drills & Emergency Preparedness

Safety Drills

To help ensure the safety of our students and staff, Spring Grove Area School District regularly conducts a variety of safety drills throughout the year. These drills are designed to help everyone know what to do in the event of an emergency and to keep our schools prepared, calm, and confident. All of these drills are part of the district’s comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan, developed in partnership with local law enforcement, fire, and emergency management agencies.

We communicate with families about safety practices in age-appropriate and transparent ways, focusing on creating an environment where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

Fire Drills

Purpose: To practice safely and quickly exiting the building in the event of a fire or other emergency that requires evacuation.
Frequency: Conducted monthly, as required by Pennsylvania law.

School Security Drills

Purpose: To prepare for potential safety threats, such as an intruder or other security situation. Drills may include lockdown or secure-in-place procedures.
Frequency: At least one drill per year within the first 90 days of school, as required by Pennsylvania law. Schools may conduct additional drills throughout the year.

Shelter-in-Place

Purpose: To practice staying safely inside the building during an external situation, such as severe weather or a nearby environmental hazard.
Frequency: Conducted periodically as part of our emergency preparedness planning.

Severe Weather Drills

Purpose: To practice moving to interior safe areas during events such as tornado warnings or high winds.
Frequency: Conducted annually.

Bus Evacuation Drills

Purpose: To ensure students who ride buses know how to exit safely in an emergency.
Frequency: Conducted twice per year, once at the beginning of the school year and once in March, as required by Pennsylvania law.

Emergency Preparedness

SGASD collaborated with York County Emergency Management, local police departments, and first responders to conduct a Critical Incident Response Exercise, evaluating the District’s emergency management plan.
The district continually reviews and evaluates its safety plans in collaboration 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 training required by Act 55 of 2022.

Emergency Communications

Emergency Communication & Family Procedures

During any school emergency, our top priority is to keep students and staff safe while ensuring accurate and timely communication with families. We understand these situations can be stressful, and we ask for your partnership in following the steps below to help us manage the situation effectively and safely.

What Families Should Do During an Emergency

To protect everyone involved and allow emergency responders and school staff to focus on safety, please keep the following in mind:

Do not come to the school until you are instructed by the district. Extra visitors and vehicles can interfere with emergency response efforts.
Do not call the school offices during an emergency. Phone lines must stay open for coordination with first responders.
Do not contact your child or staff members by cell phone during an emergency. This can interrupt critical safety procedures and create confusion.
Do not rely on social media for emergency information.
- Social media posts can spread rumors or incomplete information, and staff are often unable to respond in real time. Except for inclement weather announcements, official information will be shared only through our automated phone, email, and text notifications, as well as the district website. Please wait for verified updates before taking action or sharing information online.

How You’ll Receive Information

When it is safe to do so, the district will share verified updates through:

Phone, text, and email alerts via our automated notification system
District website homepage alerts and updates

You will be notified of when and where to pick up your child as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.

Student Release After an Emergency

If students need to be released to parents or guardians following an emergency, our reunification process will be used to ensure safety and accountability:

Please bring valid photo identification when picking up your child.
Students will only be released to individuals listed as emergency contacts in the Sapphire Community Web Portal.
Make sure your contact and emergency information in Sapphire is current and accurate so you can be reached promptly.

Emergency & Inclement Weather Notifications

Our primary method of reaching parents and guardians is the district’s automated messaging system. This is utilized to share information with parents’ or guardians’ home numbers and/or any alternative numbers provided for this purpose.

Additionally, school closures, virtual learning days, school delays, early dismissals, and late buses will be announced on WGAL TV-8, FOX43, CBS21, and ABC-27. We also use Facebook, email, and text messages to send important, time-sensitive information.

Please ensure your correct contact information is in the Sapphire Notification System for all communication modes, especially phone numbers and emails.

How to Update Your Phone and Email in Sapphire

Integration of Law Enforcement & Ongoing Evaluations

For over a decade, SGASD has partnered with the Northern York County Regional Police Department to provide a presence within schools. The School Resource Officers (SROs) are visible within our school buildings and help to build relationships that foster open communication. SGASD currently contracts two SROs to rotate among the school buildings.
In addition to the SROs, it is common practice for other officers of the Northern York County Regional Department to perform daily walk-throughs of each school building.
SGASD coordinates with the Northern York County Regional Police Department to complete safety and security assessments at each school building.
The SGASD School Safety and Security Council, comprising district staff, community stakeholders, local legislative representatives, emergency management personnel, and local law enforcement, meets biannually to evaluate and discuss pertinent safety issues. The Council is co-chaired by Bill Stiles, Facilities Services Manager/Safety and Security Coordinator, and Dr. Michelle Ludwig, Director of Pupil Services.
- If you are interested in participating in our district-wide Safety and Security Council, please contact Bill Stiles.

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 before entry. The district utilizes a double-buzz entry system, which provides increased visibility of visitors and an additional level of security before granting entry to the building.
All visitors are registered with the main office of the school building using the 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 beyond the main office.
Enhanced use of radio communication between district personnel.
Door signage and directional signage are installed in each school building to help visitors and first responders locate the appropriate areas.

Empowering Students to Stay Safe

Students are encouraged to utilize situational awareness in both their physical surroundings and online environments.
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 report bullying issues and concerns 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, and concern for the safety and welfare of peers.

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
- Member of the District Threat Assessment Team
- Interactions with students during lunch periods in all schools
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 helps them feel comfortable throughout their first year of middle school. WEB also serves as an anti-bullying program for your school by providing it with a cadre of student leaders who identify and help stop bullying behavior. WEB allows older students to be aware of and report any negative behavior they observe, creating a safer school environment for everyone.
Project TEAM, in grades K-6, is a school-wide program that addresses students' social-emotional health, character development, and anti-bullying initiatives.

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, a social worker, and school counselors in every school.
The district 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.
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 the Northern York County Regional Police.
SGASD participates in the York County Safety Council and the Safe School Association of York County.
The district collaborates with Pennsylvania Comprehensive Behavioral Health (PCBH) to provide school-based therapy on-site and True North Wellness Service for SAP (Student Assistance Program) services.
The district has a partnership with River Rock Academy, a provider of customized alternative education services for students.
The district is awarded grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to support mental health and safe learning environments.
SGASD partners with Care Solace to provide students and staff access to reliable, ethical, and high-quality mental health care services.

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 at 717-467-8355 or by emailing tips@NYCRPD.org.

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- 2 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.
The crisis center reviews, assesses, and processes all submissions.
The crisis center sends all submissions to the school administration and/or law enforcement for intervention.
If needed, the crisis center may contact the tipster anonymously through the app.

Safe2Say Something - Submit an Anonymous Tip

ALICE Training

ALICE Safety Training at SGASD

Empowering Students and Staff to Stay Safe

At Spring Grove Area School District, our highest priority is keeping students and staff safe—physically, socially, and emotionally. As part of this commitment, we are introducing ALICE Training® for the 2025-26 school year.

ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) is a nationally recognized program that gives students and staff proactive, age-appropriate strategies to stay safe during an emergency.

Below, you’ll find an overview of what ALICE is, how we teach it in our schools, and what trauma-informed care means in this context.

What is ALICE?

An overview of the ALICE approach.

How SGASD Implements ALICE

What ALICE safety training looks like in our schools.

Collaboration with Law Enforcement

Our partnership with local law enforcement is a cornerstone of school safety at SGASD.

The Northern York County Regional Police Department fully supports the ALICE safety program. Our School Resource Officers (SROs), Officer Kevin Mengel and Officer Michael Hine, are fully trained in ALICE protocols and have been instrumental in helping us implement ALICE throughout the district.

Together, we conduct staff training, participate in school drills, and continually review safety procedures to ensure our approach reflects the most current best practices in school safety and emergency response.

This collaboration ensures that our schools and first responders are aligned, prepared, and unified in how we respond to any potential emergency.

About ALICE

ALICE Training® is the most widely adopted safety program of its kind. Developed by experts in law enforcement, education, and child development, ALICE teaches proactive, options-based responses designed to save lives.

While we hope our students never need to use ALICE, being prepared builds confidence, and confidence saves lives.

ALICE stands for:

A – Alert: Quickly communicating that a threat exists.
L – Lockdown: Securing and barricading in a safe space.
I – Inform: Sharing real-time information to help others make safe choices.
C – Counter: Distracting or disrupting only as a last resort to create an opportunity to get away, not to fight.
E – Evacuate: Safely leaving the danger area whenever possible.

ALICE moves beyond a “lockdown-only” response and instead empowers individuals with options. Just as we teach children what to do in a fire or severe weather emergency, ALICE provides them with tools and confidence to make safe choices in a crisis.

How We Teach ALICE in Our Schools

Our district’s ALICE instructors are certified staff members who have been trained to lead these lessons in age-appropriate, trauma-informed ways. Lessons and drills are conducted with care and sensitivity to ensure students feel safe and supported.

For Elementary Students Grades K-4:

Cover of the Book "I'm Not Scared, I'm Prepared!"

The focus is on listening to teachers, moving to a safe location, and remaining calm and quiet.
Teachers may use age-appropriate resources, such as the book "I’m Not Scared... I’m Prepared!", to help children understand ALICE ideas through story and discussion.

For Secondary Students Grades 5-12:

Students learn about situational awareness and decision-making in different scenarios.
They practice how to evacuate safely, barricade a room, or communicate information that helps others stay safe.
Drills are carefully guided, always age-appropriate, and never intended to frighten.
Students may choose to observe and not participate physically in any hands-on demonstrations.

Our Trauma-Informed Approach to School Safety Training

Teacher high-fiving student in classroom.

ALICE training in SGASD is built on the understanding that safety includes both physical and emotional well-being. We recognize that talking about safety can be sensitive and may cause anxiety for some students. That’s why all ALICE instruction in SGASD is trauma-informed, meaning it is delivered in a way that supports emotional safety as well as physical safety.

A trauma-informed approach means our staff:

Realize how trauma can affect a student’s emotions and behavior.
Recognize signs of stress or anxiety.
Respond with calm, supportive actions to help students feel safe.
Resist re-traumatization by allowing flexibility, offering breaks, and debriefing after drills.

All training is designed to reduce anxiety, not create it. Our teachers, counselors, and staff are trained to monitor students' responses and provide reassurance and support every step of the way.

Supporting Your Child at Home

We understand that conversations about safety can be uncomfortable. Here are a few ways families can help:

Listen to their questions and feelings and validate their emotions.

Talk calmly and openly with your child about why schools practice safety drills.
Reassure them that schools are very safe places and that staff are there to protect them.
Model calm confidence—your tone helps shape how they feel.
Reach out to your child’s teacher or counselor if you sense anxiety or need support.

Our Ongoing Commitment to Safety

Every decision we make starts with one guiding question:
“Is this what’s best for student safety?”

ALICE Training® is one piece of our comprehensive safety plan, which also includes regular emergency preparedness, close collaboration with law enforcement, and strong relationships that help every student feel known and cared for.

We care for your children as if they were our own, and we are grateful for your trust and partnership as we continue to strengthen our culture of safety and belonging.

Learn More

ALICE Training Official Website
I’m Not Scared... I’m Prepared! by Julia Cook
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP): Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Families and Educators
ALICE: Talking to Children About Violence
The Kids Mental Health Foundation: Talking to Kids About Current Events

For more info or questions about ALICE, please contact:

Bill Stiles, District Safety and Security Coordinator

Michelle Ludwig, Director of Pupil Services

Officer Kevin Mengel, School Resource Officer

Visitor Check-In

Raptor Visitor Management System

The district has been proactive in implementing a layered approach to school safety. We utilize the Raptor Visitor Management System to screen visitors in our schools, thereby providing 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 beyond the main office. Photo ID will not be required for visitors to our schools who are solely dropping off an item in the office or picking up paperwork.

How It Works

Upon entering a district building during school hours, visitors will be asked to present a valid 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 support in enhancing our district's school safety protocols.

Everyone Belongs

Treating everyone with respect is at the core of the district’s mission to provide a safe and engaging learning environment that challenges and motivates 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 reported to us is taken very seriously and is thoroughly investigated by school officials in conjunction with a School Resource Officer. Students found to be in violation of the Code of Student Conduct or Board policy will face strict 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 harassment or cyberbullying.

Spring Grove Area School District will continue to work in partnership with staff, students, families, and the community to ensure our schools are safe for all. We continue to strive for a school environment and community where every person feels safe, valued, and a sense of belonging.

Thank you for your partnership and commitment to creating a better world for our students and for each other.

Everyone Belongs Initiatives and Programs
Bullying and Cyberbullying Information and Resources

Everyone Belongs Initiatives and Programs

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.

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 strives to create a space where teachers, students, and staff share these values and support one another 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 Spring Grove Area High School students interested in working with students with special needs. 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 that fosters understanding of all viewpoints. Most importantly, the GSA is a fun and exciting group that helps reduce social stigmas and leads by example.

WEB (Where Everyone Belongs)
WEB is a middle school orientation and transition program that welcomes 7th graders and helps them feel comfortable throughout their first year of middle school. WEB also serves as an anti-bullying program for our school by providing it with a cadre of student leaders who identify and help stop bullying behavior. WEB gives older students permission to be aware of and report any negative behavior they observe, creating a safer school environment for everyone.

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 commit 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
The Project Team for grades K-6 is a comprehensive bullying prevention and social-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 the foundations, their importance, and how to apply them in their lives, both in and out of school.

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 to improve our school in three key areas: academics, culture, and leadership.

Renaissance Student Leadership Club
Renaissance Student Leadership Club empowers high school students to develop their leadership skills through hands-on experiences, community service, and school initiatives. Members participate in workshops, mentorship programs, and student-led projects, building confidence, teamwork, and personal growth while making a positive impact on our school and community.

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. If a student becomes aware of a bullying situation, it should be reported to the Building Principal or another 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.