Student Parent Handbook

Mission

To challenge and motivate all students to attain their full potential.

Vision

All students experience Learning Without Limits every day.

Values

We believe that students should experience Learning Without Limits in a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment where they can connect with others, engage in rigorous learning, own the learning, and solve complex problems. 

August 2025

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Spring Grove Area School District (SGASD) is committed to safeguarding the welfare, safety, and security of all students, staff, and visitors. Proper and comprehensive preparedness requires a continual review of the school district’s emergency response protocols so that we can consider necessary adjustments and remain current with any new developments. The following are shared to make you aware of a few of the emergency preparedness measures and practices in place to reinforce our commitment to protecting all SGASD students and staff:

Our district is constantly striving to ensure the safest possible environment for our students and staff. An important enhancement to our emergency response protocols is underway. This coming school year, our district will be implementing the ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) Training Institute's proactive emergency response model.

The ALICE model moves beyond traditional "lockdown only" procedures, empowering individuals with options to increase their chances of survival in the rare event of an active threat. It teaches a layered response, emphasizing that our staff and students will be trained to make informed decisions based on the specific circumstances of an incident, whether that means barricading in place, evacuating to safety, or, as a last resort, engaging to disrupt an aggressor. We believe this comprehensive approach provides the most effective strategies for protecting our school community.

To provide you with a more in-depth understanding of ALICE and what it means for our schools and how it may impact your child(ren), a detailed video presentation is being prepared. The exact broadcast schedule and viewing instructions will be shared out with families in a separate communication.

In partnership with Northern York County Regional Police Department and the York County Office of Emergency Management, fire, lockdown, evacuation, severe weather, and shelter-in-place drills are conducted routinely for continued awareness and familiarity. In compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Education regulations, all district staff and contracted bus drivers are required to participate in periodic safety training throughout the year. A District-wide School Safety and Security Committee is in place to regularly review emergency plans that address needs at each building. The Raptor Visitor Management System is utilized at each building to screen school visitors by checking the nationwide database of registered sex offenders. The Sapphire Notification System is used to contact parents/guardians and share important information regarding school closures, school delays, early dismissals, late buses, and/or emergency situations. Information is also posted to the district website (www.sgasd.org), Facebook account (@SGSchoolNews), and when appropriate, shared with local television stations. 

The SGASD’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) includes detailed protocols at each building for various weather and emergency situations as named above, with periodic and comprehensive reviews of the plan conducted regularly. The EOP also includes a detailed and building-specific student-parent reunification process. If initiating this process becomes necessary, a message will be sent to parents using the Sapphire Notification System to provide instructions on where and when to reunite with their child. (NOTE: Students will ONLY be released to parents/guardians/individuals listed on the most current Emergency Contact Form on file; appropriate ID will be required. PLEASE BE SURE YOUR CHILD’S INFORMATION IS UP TO DATE, WITH A SECONDARY CONTACT IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCY LISTED, IN THE SAPPHIRE COMMUNITY PORTAL.)

In the event of an actual emergency, it is important that all parents keep the following in mind for the safety of everyone involved and to maintain critically needed order:

• Do not come to the school campus until notified by the district.
• Do not call the school offices, as all staff will be addressing the actual emergency. Do not contact students or staff members via cell phone or social media, as they too will be paying attention to specific directives related to the actual emergency, with critical time sensitivity.
• Avoid social media posts; accurate information will be disseminated at the appropriate time by the school district in partnership with law enforcement and emergency responders using the official channels described earlier in this letter.

Please take this opportunity to partner with us by talking with your child about safety issues and being sensitive to their behavior. If you think your child is behaving out of the ordinary, please contact your child’s teacher, counselor, or a district social worker. We strongly encourage you be very clear with your child that jokes, pranks, and/or threats (verbal and/or written) about bombs or other harmful acts are NOT ACCEPTABLE. Any student making a threat (direct or indirect) can expect disciplinary consequences and may be held accountable by law enforcement agencies, as outlined in the Student-Parent Handbook and Code of Student Conduct.

Thank you for entrusting your child to us. I wish you a safe and rewarding school year.

Sincerely,

Joseph A. Bradley, Ed.D.
Superintendent

August 2025

Dear Parent/Guardian:

At the May 19, 2025, meeting of the Board of School Directors, board members approved an updated agreement (MOU) between Spring Grove Area School District (SGASD) and Northern York County Regional Police Department (NYCRPD), for a two-year term as required under Act 44, the Safe Schools Act. With the start of the 2025-2026 school year, SGASD and NYCRPD have renewed our commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for the school district. In conjunction with the MOU, School Board Policies and day-to-day operational procedures support our goal of maintaining and promoting a learning environment that is free from violence, bullying, harassment, and other anti-social behaviors.  

Our objective is to communicate clearly that violence is wrong and to continue to develop and perfect skills that promote tolerance, respect and harmony. We are committed to work together each day to challenge and motivate all students to attain their full potential and prepare each student for their respective future in a Learning Without Limits environment.  

To demonstrate that we are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all students and staff, SGASD, in partnership with NYCRPD, is dedicated to the enforcement of Board policies and operational procedures. At times, the school administration may find it necessary to seek prosecution and recommend expulsion for any student found to be in possession of a weapon, in violation of the weapons policy (Policy #218.1), or who, after proper investigation and assessment, is determined to be responsible for a terroristic threat communicated directly or indirectly (Policy #218.2).  

We strongly recommend that you take time and review the 2025-2026 Student-Parent Handbook with your child.The Handbook (particularly the Code of Student Conduct) outlines specific expectations of students and student responsibilities with respect to weapons, violence, threats, and harassment. SGASD will solicit the expertise of NYCRPD to assess concerns of threats, substantial disruption of school, and other potential criminal acts, and may request police officer assistance concerning any behaviors related to a weapons policy violation, acts of violence or harassment, and/or direct or indirect threats.  

We cannot do this alone; we need your help. Keep in mind, if it is illegal out of school, it is illegal in school. If your child hears or sees something of concern, please encourage them to report it to an authority figure immediately face-to-face, using the anonymous “See Something... SAY SOMETHING” NYCRPD Tip Line by calling (717) 467-8355, or using the NYCRPD Tips email - tips@nycrpd.org.

Additionally, we strongly recommend that you take time and review the 2024-25 Student/Parent Handbook with your child. The Handbook (particularly the Code of Student Conduct) outlines specific expectations of students and student responsibilities with respect to weapons, violence, threats, and harassment. SGASD will solicit the expertise of local law enforcement to assess concerns of threats, substantial disruption of school, and other potential criminal acts, and may request police officer assistance concerning any behaviors related to a weapons policy violation, acts of violence or harassment, and/or direct or indirect threats.

We are excited to begin this new school year continuing the valuable partnership between SGASD and NYCRPD. This ongoing relationship is designed to support and maintain the highest level of safety in our schools. Together, we will continue to take measures that will provide and promote a safe learning environment for all.

Sincerely,

Joseph A. Bradley, Ed. D.
SGASD Superintendent

David L. Lash                    
NYCRPD Chief of Police

SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS

Bullying/Cyberbullying Prevention Policy #249
 

Safe2Say Something 

The Safe2Say Something (S2SS) anonymous reporting system for students in grades 5-12 connects anonymous tips 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 within 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 Website

Safe2Say Something - Submit an Anonymous Tip

 

See Something, Say Something

Students with any concerns or information about potential student threats upon individuals and/or property are strongly encouraged to contact school officials or local law enforcement immediately. In the event students would like to report the information and remain anonymous, they may utilize:

Northern York County Regional Police Department TIP LINE:

• 717-467-8355
• TIPS@NYCRPD.org

Additional safety and security resources are under the District website's About Us tab. Report suspicious behavior and safety issues to help others.