Safety Plan

  • Geneva City School District Mission Statement

    The mission of the Geneva City School District is educate and graduate all students with the essential skills and knowledge to live lives of consequence.

    District Safety Plan Directive

    The directive of this plan is to provide oversight and communication for all stakeholders to the response of the district during an emergency. Furthermore, the District Safety Plan will provide guidance to the school-level safety plans. The District Safety Plan is intended to be broad in scope as to structure and response. The School Building Safety Plans are detailed as to specific action that will be taken in response to a situation. Therefore, School Safety Plans are not for public access.

    District Committee Members

    • Stephen Kruger (Safety Officer), Assistant Superintendent, District Office
    • John González, Assistant Superintendent, District Office
    • Maureen Lee, Assistant Superintendent, Director of Finance, District Office
    • Tim Emery, Director of Facilities, Buildings and Grounds
    • Darien Knapp, Director of Transportation, Transportation
    • Gerald Barker, Director of Food Service, Food Service
    • Larry Lang, Director of Athletics, West Street Elementary
    • Tricia Budgar, Principal, West Street Elementary
    • Lorraine Knifley, Director of Head Start, West Street Elementary
    • Kim Seidel, Nurse Department Head, West Street Elementary
    • Christine Poles, Principal, North Street Elementary
    • Luke Wilson, Assistant Principal, North Street Elementary
    • Greg Baker, Principal, High School
    • Kevin Fairben, Assistant Principal, High School
    • Matt Heath, Principal, Middle School
    • Nicole Campbell, Assistant Principal, Middle School
    • Heather Swanson, Director of Communications, District Office
    • Erin Lamborn, Director of Student Services, Middle School
    • Mark Yeckley, Maintenance Supervisor, Buildings and Grounds
    • Craig Leisenring, Building Maintenance, Buildings and Grounds
    • Gary Derleth, Head Custodian, High/Middle School
    • Paul Lathey, Head Custodian, North Street Elementary
    • Erica Yeckley, Head Custodian, West Street Elementary
    • Jill Humphries, Teacher, Union President Middle School
    • Randy Grenier, Member, Board of Education
    • Officer Raul Arroyo, School Resource Officer, Geneva Police Department
    • >Andy Williams, Parent, Geneva Community

    The District Safety Plan is submitted to the New York State Education Department, New York State Troopers, and the Geneva Police Department by Oct. 1 yearly.

    The updated Plan will be submitted to the above plus: Geneva Fire Department, New York State Troopers (Headquarters E), Ontario County Office of Emergency Management, and the New York State Education Department.

    Introduction

    In keeping with the policy of the Board of Education, the purpose of this plan is to maximize the safety of every student, staff member, and visitor of the Geneva City School District. This includes the district’s campus, buildings, motor vehicle fleet, and programs. In conjunction with the District Emergency Preparedness Plans, it is intended to offer guidance and direction to district personnel in a variety of emergency situations.

    Dissemination

    All staff will receive a copy of the Emergency Response Guide and/or Building Level Emergency Binder within the first three (3) days of the academic school year (or at time of hire) and will be trained in its application during the District Emergency Drill Day. Parents may view a copy of the District Emergency Management Plan at the District Office.

    Procedures for Coordinating the Plan with County and Statewide Plans

    Contents of the District Safety Plan will be shared with appropriate state and local agencies. All emergency incidents shall be reported to the Geneva City Police Department or the Ontario County 911 center, which will dispatch necessary emergency agencies. Appropriate emergency response agencies assume control of a situation and/or scene as the situation dictates. (i.e. the police have control over a situation any time they believe the area is a crime scene or it is in the interest of public safety for them to do so, the fire department assumes control over a fire scene.)

    School Building Security Procedures

    All entrances to the district buildings are locked during normal business hours. The building receptionist at each main entrance will greet persons entering, identify them, scan the visitor’s identification using the Raptor System, have them sign in on a visitor’s log and issue a visitor’s pass. The receptionist then notifies the individual to be seen and directs the visitor to the correct location, as appropriate.

    District staff and faculty are issued photo identification badges that restrict entry to the buildings during other than normal hours. Photo identification is required to be worn at all times unless it interferes with teaching of students. Building principals will enforce this provision. Individuals found without a district identification badge or a visitor’s badge will be asked for identification, questioned as to their purpose, and taken to the main office.

    The district security system records entry into the building and will deny access to unauthorized individuals. Cameras are located inside and outside of district buildings and are recording daily. The assistant superintendent for administrative services and director of facilities can view all camera footage and lock down all inside and outside doors with badge access through the district security system if necessary. All building administrators can view camera footage for their buildings.

    All buses have a camera system that records inside and outside activity. The director of transportation will maintain and access this system as required. Any camera footage that needs to be disseminated will be done through the secure administrative shared drive.

    Prevention and Intervention Strategies

    The primary components of district prevention strategies are as follows:

    1. The district encourages a comprehensive character education curriculum stressing respect, responsibility, honesty, caring, and healthy lifestyles. According to the Dignity for All Students Act, or DASA, “it is the policy of the state to afford all students in public schools an environment free of discrimination and harassment.” Decreasing and eliminating incidents of bullying or any behavior that is inconsistent with the school’s educational mission and code of conduct is a primary focus of the district’s Positive Behavioral Intervention Strategies.
    2. School Building Threat Assessment Teams are tasked with identifying early warning signs of students in need of support by using the district-provided Threat Assessment Tool. The school building team includes counselors, school psychologists, home-school liaisons, and building administrators.
    3. District-wide support services will include family services, psychological services, and counseling services are available to students.
    4. Training for select staff in student conduct issues, including de-escalation skills and procedural issues are conducted based on perceived need during superintendent’s conference days and monthly faculty/staff meetings.

    The primary components of the district intervention strategy are as follows:

    1. Proactive, frequent parental contact.
    2. A tiered approach to determining support.
    3. Progressive, reasonable consequences for violation of the school code.
    4. Staff training in student intervention issues.
    5. Appropriate administrative support levels.
    6. Cooperative working relationships with outside agencies, including the criminal justice system, social services, community agencies, BOCES, and other districts.
    7. Cooperative working relationship with the health care community and local pediatricians.
    8. Continued tracking of risky behavior that would initiate a Threat Assessment Tool process.

    Procedures Outlining the Role of School Personnel and Equipment in School Safety Measures

    All staff members are responsible for school safety and should immediately report any incident of threat or violence, any school intruder, or any other threat to the safety of staff, students, or visitors. All staff members are expected to respond within their reasonable abilities, taking care to safeguard their own person without compromising the safety of the students.

    Training throughout the year is conducted via e-mail distribution, staff meetings, and at superintendent’s conference days and online training.

    Each building is responsible for the identification of an emergency response team. School building safety plans will list these members and will receive additional training around safety management and reacting to a situation.

    Procedures for Annual Safety Training for Staff and Students

    1. In-house drills will be conducted throughout the school year. These drills will cover emergency situations that the district might encounter, which include but are not limited to Fire, Shelter in Place, Hold in Place, Go Home Early, Lockout, Lockdown, and Evacuation.
    2. The District and Building Safety Plans and/or the Emergency Quick Reference Guide will be reviewed within the first seven (7) days of school during a faculty meeting.
    3. Bus drivers are scheduled to speak in every Primary and Elementary School classroom concerning safety and proper conduct procedures for the students on the buses.
    4. “Tabletop Disaster Drills” will be conducted with state, county, and local emergency response agencies. These drills may involve a thorough critique of the entire District Safety Plan as well as planned responses by emergency response agencies.
    5. A review of potential emergency evacuation sites will be conducted throughout the year involving the district and the community. Upon completion of any drill, a review of the exercise will be conducted. Revisions to Building and District Emergency Plans will be completed as needed.
    6. Building Health and Safety Committees will conduct an annual review of their Building Safety Procedures during the summer months. In addition, they will evaluate building security and access procedures. Policies and procedures will be reviewed with receptionists at each facility annually.
    7. District Health and Safety Committee will conduct an annual review of the District Safety Procedures. In addition, they will evaluate district-wide building security and access procedures.
    8. District-wide AED and CPR training drills will be completed for designated staff in each building. Each building will maintain a log of currency in CPR/AED training through the nurse's office.
    9. Mandated annual training will be required for all staff in the area of school violence and student mental health. This training will be completed by Sept. 15 of each year.

    Special Training Procedures Regarding Bus Transportation

    A school bus driver’s first priority is the safety of the children on the bus. In the event a school bus driver requires assistance, he/she will request assistance through the bus radio and move to the side of the road in a safe and expeditious manner. In the event of a fight on the bus, the driver should pull safely off the road, secure the vehicle, radio for assistance, and then direct the participants of the fight to immediately desist. The driver is not to take unreasonable risks of injury or to expose the other children on the bus to injury.

    Bus drivers conduct evacuation drills three (3) times during the school year, the first being held in the first week of school. The reason and importance of the drills are explained to the students at the beginning of each drill.

    Together with the teacher, drivers conduct in-classroom sessions for grades K through 5, focusing on proper bus behavior, making good decisions, showing respect for the bus driver and other students, proper procedures for entering and exiting the bus, and crossing the road at school and at home. These sessions are conducted twice during the year.

    Bus drivers are required to attend a two-hour refresher course twice during the year covering a variety of topics such as bullying, dealing with unruly students, teaching respect and healthy lifestyles, administering first aid and CPR, and handling emergency procedures.

    Procedures for Review and Conduct of Drills to Test Components of the Plan

    Each year, the district will conduct at least one (1) test of the emergency response procedures for each student-occupied facility. Each year a review involving emergency response agencies will be conducted to evaluate the various aspects of the District Emergency Plan and emergency procedures outlined therein. All tests will be conducted in cooperation with local and county emergency management officials to the extent possible. A review of potential emergencies and the response by the emergency agencies, with emphasis on existing and potential hazards that affect the entire school district, will be conducted.

    The review will include the district and Building Emergency Response Teams, Geneva Police Department, and Geneva Fire Department. When available, the Ontario County Sheriff’s Department and State Police will be part of the review.

    Potential emergency sites will be reviewed by the District Safety Team every summer. The listings of the emergency off-site locations will be in each building safety plan. Each site is required to be reviewed for availability, reasonable relocation for students, occupancy changes, and ability to manage students.

    Description and Duties of School Personnel:

    Principal

    The principal (or their designee) will serve as the Incident Commander and designate a minimum of two qualified individuals to serve as alternates in the event that the principal is unable to serve in that role.  At all times, the principal still retains the ultimate responsibility for the overall safety of students and staff. 

    Responsibilities include:

    • Provide direction overall incident management actions based on procedures outlined in this ERP
    • Take steps necessary to ensure the safety of students, staff, and others
    • Determine which emergency protocols to implement as described in the functional annexes of this ERP
    • Coordinate/cooperate with emergency responders
    • Keep the superintendent informed of the situation

    Teachers / Substitute Teachers / Student Teachers

    Teachers shall be responsible for the supervision of students and shall remain with students unless directed to do otherwise.

    Responsibilities include:

    • Supervise students under their charge
    • Take steps to ensure the safety of students, staff, and other individuals.
    • Take attendance when class relocates to an inside or outside designated area or to an evacuation site
    • Report missing students to the appropriate Emergency Response Team Member
    • Execute assignments as directed by the Incident Commander
    • Obtain first aid services for injured students from the school nurse or person trained in first aid. Arrange for first aid for those who are unable to be moved
    • Render first aid or CPR if certified and deemed necessary

    Teaching Assistants

    Responsibilities include assisting teachers as directed and actions to ensure the safety of students.

    Counselors, Social Workers & School Psychologists

    Responsibilities include:

    • Take steps to ensure the safety of students, staff, and other individuals during the implementation of the ERP
    • Provide appropriate direction to students as described in this ERP for the incident type
    • Render first aid or CPR and/or psychological aid if trained to do so
    • Assist in the transfer of students, staff, and others when their safety is threatened by an emergency
    • Administer counseling services as deemed necessary during or after an incident
    • Execute assignments as directed by the Incident Commander

    School Nurse/Health Assistant

    Responsibilities include:

    • Administer first aid or emergency treatment as needed
    • Supervise administration of first aid by those trained to provide it
    • Organize first aid and medical supplies
    • Execute assignments as directed by the Incident Commander

    Student Supervisors and School Monitors

    Responsibilities include:

    • Assist teachers in supervising students during recreation, lunch periods, class periods, study halls, and on the school bus
    • Assist bus drivers in loading, transporting, and unloading disabled students
    • Guide students safely across streets and intersections
    • Maintain order in gymnasiums, locker rooms, and swimming pools
    • Oversee students passing between classes and on-premises before and after school
    • Help students in lower grades with wearing apparel
    • Perform simple clerical duties under close supervision
    • Work cooperatively with school personnel, students, and the community
    • Execute assignments as directed by the Incident Commander

    Custodians/Maintenance Staff

    Responsibilities include:

    • Survey and report building damage to the Incident Commander
    • Control main shutoff valves for gas, water, and electricity and ensure that no hazard results from broken or downed lines
    • Provide damage control as needed
    • Assist in the conservation, use, and disbursement of supplies and equipment
    • Control locks and physical security as directed by the Incident Commander
    • Keep Incident Commander informed of the condition of the school
    • Execute assignments as directed by the Incident Commander

    Principal’s Secretary/Office Secretaries

    Responsibilities include:

    • Answer phones and assist in receiving and providing consistent information to callers
    • Provide for the safety of essential school records and documents
    • Provide assistance to the Incident Commander/Principal
    • Monitor radio emergency broadcasts
    • Execute assignments as directed by the Incident Commander

    Food Service/Cafeteria Workers

    Responsibilities include:

    • Prepare and serve food and water on a rationed basis whenever the feeding of students and staff becomes necessary during an incident
    • Execute assignments as directed by the Incident Commander

    Bus Drivers

    Responsibilities include:

    • Supervise the care of students if disaster occurs while students are on the bus
    • Transfer students to new location when directed
    • Execute assignments as directed by the Incident Commander

    Other Staff

    Responsibilities include:

    • Execute assignments as directed by the Incident Commander

    Students

    Responsibilities include:

    • Cooperate during emergency drills, exercises, and during an incident
    • Follow directions given by faculty and staff.
    • Know student emergency actions and assist fellow students in an incident
    • Report situations of concern (e.g. “If you see something, say something.”)
    • Develop an awareness of the high-priority threats/hazards and how to take measures to protect against and mitigate those threats/hazards

    Parents/Guardians

    Responsibilities include:

    • Encourage and support school safety, violence prevention, and incident preparedness programs within the school
    • Participate in volunteer service projects for promoting school incident preparedness
    • Provide the school with requested information concerning the incident, early/late dismissals, and other related release information
    • Listen to and follow directions as provided by the school district

    Description and Duties of School Safety Personnel

    The School Resource Officer (SRO) is a sworn Police Officer charged with developing a strong, supportive relationship between students, faculty, and law enforcement in order to deter criminal behavior and maintain a safe learning environment. Day-to-day responsibilities:

     

    • The SRO shall act as educator, counselor, and police officer.
    • The SRO shall coordinate all his/her activities with the principals and will seek advice, guidance, and permission from the school administration prior to enacting any program within the school.
    • When appropriate and authorized by the police supervisor, the SRO may keep the school principal and superintendent of school informed of the nature of an investigation of any alleged criminal activities involving students, employees, teachers, or third parties that have allegedly occurred on school grounds.

    Training

    The Geneva City Police Department shall provide the necessary training considered by the Police Department as needed to maintain the skills and knowledge of the School Resource Officer (SRO) in his capacity as a Police Officer. Scheduling of training and/or conferences during the school year shall be coordinated between the school administration and the police supervisor prior to attendance by the SRO at training.

    The position of School Resource Officer is the result of the Municipal Cooperation Agreement between the City of Geneva and the Geneva City School District.

    Hiring/Screening Process for School Employees

    All employees will be subject to Policy 6180 in accordance with the law. All new hires that occur after the start of the new school year will be given training on the Safety Plan within 30 days of being hired.

    Emergency Policies and Procedures (Violent Behavior)

    All staff members are required to notify the building administrator of any violent incident. The building administrator will determine the seriousness of the situation and contact SRO/law enforcement immediately if the situation warrants. However, in an emergency, any staff member may call 911.

    Prior to the arrival of law enforcement representatives, the building administrator will make every effort to restrict access to the crime scene in order to preserve evidence. Upon arrival of law enforcement officials, they will take over this responsibility with the full support of the building administrator.

    The chain of command call list will be utilized in order to inform all educational agencies of a substantial emergency situation.

    Procedures for Disseminating Information Regarding Early Detection of Potentially Violent Behavior

    1. Building Emergency Response Teams and Post-Incident Response Teams will be introduced at the first faculty meeting of each year. Current procedures for referring students will be outlined.
    2. Building counselors shall establish referral procedures.
    3. All students shall be encouraged to “tell an adult” about any potential act of violence.

    Responding to Implied or Direct Threats by Students, Staff, and Visitors

    All threats of violence against any person or property are considered serious. Such threats shall be immediately reported to a supervisor or administrator, who shall immediately cause an investigation into the threat. The very act of a threat shall be cause for discipline against a student or staff member and immediate removal of a visitor. Law enforcement officials will be contacted by the supervisor/administrator if deemed appropriate. Violators will be subject to criminal prosecution upon consultation with district administrators, police investigators, and the district attorney’s office.

    A threat of imminent violence will result in immediate removal from school facilities. Assistance from law enforcement officials may be sought.

    Responding to Acts of Violence

    Student Fights

    The staff member discovering a fight therefore should:

    1. Order the students to cease and desist.
    2. Immediately report the fight to the office by telephone, school radio, or, if necessary, send a student to report the incident.
    3. Assess any personal risk.
    4. Refrain from personal involvement until a preponderance of force reduces personal risk.
    5. Defer to administrators/supervisors and assist in crowd control.

      Police Involvement

      If a staff member believes a student fight poses a serious, imminent risk and staff or administration cannot control it, a staff member should call 911.
      Administrative Involvement

      Upon arrival at the scene, the building administrator shall take control of a situation unless police are present. The building administrator shall attempt to end the fight and move the participants to another area. If personal involvement is required, the building administrator shall attempt to amass a preponderance of force to handle the situation.

    Weapons

    As per the district weapon policy, no student, staff member, or visitor is to be in possession of any weapon at any time on school grounds, in school buildings, or at school events unless there is a clear and specific educational purpose and that purpose has been approved by a school principal.

    Administrative Involvement

    1. In all cases of students, staff, or visitors brandishing a weapon, SRO/police will be called.
    2. If any individual is suspected of having a weapon, SRO/police will be called.
    3. The individual will be closely observed until police arrive.
    4. At the decision of an administrator, any time there is reasonable suspicion that a student is in possession of any weapon, the administrator may implement search procedures. A search should be carried out with two or three other same-sex adults. The search may include a pat down of the student’s person and backpack as well as a locker search. If the student is non-cooperative with the search, SRO/police will be called. In case of a suspected firearm, SRO/police will be called first.
    5. In all cases involving weapons, the superintendent of schools will be notified.
    6. When necessary, lockdown procedures will be implemented.

    Acts of Violence by Others

    An act of violence by a non-student or any visitor to the school district will always be immediately reported to police authorities. All other guidelines in this plan shall pertain.

    Post-Incident Responsibility for ALL acts of Violence

    After any violent incident, appropriate disciplinary measures shall be enforced by the building administration. In all cases, parents shall be informed. SRO/Police will be informed regarding any serious issue of violence or any time the incident constitutes a crime under the NYS Penal Law or any time a student or parent requests that police be informed.

    1. Contacting Parents Regarding Violent Incidents

      For incidents involving one or more students, the building administrator shall notify the parents of all students involved as soon as possible regarding the details of the incident. Whenever the safety of the general student population has been jeopardized or is in future jeopardy, all parents will be notified of the circumstances of the incident as soon as possible.
    2. Obtaining Written Statements
      Administrators or the police investigators may take statements and supporting depositions in written form if deemed necessary. When juveniles, who are under the age of 16, are being questioned by the police on school property, parents and/or school officials must be present. In all incidents, parents must be notified of the involvement of the police department.

    District-Wide Command

    Incident Command – Personnel

    Command Staff

    • Superintendent of Schools
    • Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services
    • Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning, and Accountability
    • Director of Facilities & Operations
    • Director of Transportation

    When the district command staff has been notified that an emergency exists, they will activate the Plan and direct the operation from the Command Post.

    The command staff will take FULL CONTROL in the event of an emergency and will direct the appropriate personnel to implement the emergency response. They will be in continual communication with the superintendent to update the situation of the emergency.

    The command staff will meet with local government and emergency service organization officials for advice and assistance in emergency situations that exceed the expertise and/or resources of the district. They will be prepared to turn over control to these outside agencies.

    The command staff will oversee and ensure that there is an annual performance testing of the Emergency Management Plan.

    Public Information Officer

    Community Relations Coordinator

    In the event of a disaster, the superintendent and those so designated by the superintendent will be the only individuals authorized to communicate with the media. Where appropriate, parents and guardians will be notified via the media of any situation that requires a school building to be evacuated or otherwise closed. A public information officer shall be designated by the superintendent to provide assistance in compiling information about the disaster for release to the media.

    Chain of Command Consistent with the National Incident Command System

    Command staff shall establish a Command Post for each incident. The district shall work with other agencies to establish a Mobile Command Center.

    Chain of Command

    Incident Commander

    • Primary: Steve Kruger, Assistant Superintendent, (315) 781-0400
    • Alternate: Maureen Lee, Assistant Superintendent, (315) 781-0400

    Safety Officer

    • Primary: Maureen Lee, Assistant Superintendent, (315) 781-0400
    • Alternate: John Gonzalez, Assistant Superintendent, (315) 781-0400

    Liaison Officer

    • Primary, Lawrence Wright, Superintendent, (315) 781-0400
    • Alternate, Adrianne Miller, Superintendent Secretary, (315) 781-0400

    Public Information Officer

    • Primary: Heather Swanson, Director of Communications, (315) 781-0400
    • Alternate: Lawrence Wright, Superintendent, (315) 781-0400

    Planning Officer

    • Primary: Lawrence Wright, Superintendent, (315) 781-0400
    • Alternate: Adrianne Miller, Superintendent Secretary, (315) 781-0400

    Operations Officer

    • Primary: Tim Emery, Dir. Of Facilities, (315) 781-4123
    • Alternate: Mark Yeckley, Maintenance Supervisor, (315) 781-4123

    Logistics Officer

    • Primary: Erin Lamborn, Dir. of PPS, (315) 781-0400
    • Alternate: Robert Smith, POSA, (315) 781-0400

    Finance and Admin Officer

    • Primary: Maureen Lee, Assistant Superintendent, (315) 781-0400
    • Alternate: Karen Miller, Business Secretary, (315) 781-0400

    District Command Post

    During an emergency, the district will maintain a Command Post. If possible, this post will be at the site of the incident or if necessary at District Office. The Command Post should have available, complete and up-to-date maps of all district facilities.

    Building Command Post

    Each building will designate a safe area (min. 300 feet) in each building as a Command Post.

    Procedures for Assuring that Response Agencies have Access to Floor Plans, Blueprints and Schematics of Interior and Exterior Properties and Access Areas

    Blueprints and schematics are available through the director of facilities. Large-print copies have been provided to the Geneva Police Department and Geneva Fire Department and County Emergency Planning Agency. District Office administrators will have copies of all floor plans.

    All Geneva Police Department patrol cars have access cards to enter all school buildings.

    Communication

    Emergency Notification to Parents in Response to a “Serious Incident”.

    (Each building shall establish individual evacuation and sheltering procedures. See Building Emergency Preparedness Plan.)

    1. Emergency notification and health information will be moved to evacuation sites in the “Gotta Go Boxes”.
    2. Medical assistance shall be coordinated as required. Building nurses shall be the medical liaison for each building.
    3. Parents shall receive information regarding official designated radio and television stations for emergency information as well as the County Emergency 911 center.
      The superintendent’s office will notify the media (listed below) of any information as may be necessary to keep parents and the community updated as to the situation and reunification locations of students, pick-up instructions, or other relevant information.
      Radio Stations -1240 AM, 98.5 FM, 99.3 FM
      TV Stations- Channels -5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14 (YNN Time Warner Cable)
      ParentSquare/Facebook/district webpage
    4. The director of communications will update the district’s website with any pertinent and available information as soon as possible.
    5. District-wide school notification system will be used to contact parents and/or media as soon as possible.

    Description of Internal Communication System

    Each building shall ensure clear communication for all emergency actions. Communication standards and procedures shall be reviewed annually.

    Buildings shall access telephones, cellular phones, and two-way radios as appropriate.

    Informing Agencies Within the School District of Emergency Situations

    In the event of a pending emergency, the following means of communication may be used in order to disseminate pertinent information; Telephone, fax, e-mail, local media, NOAA weather radio, Emergency Alert System (EAS), district website.

    External Contact Numbers

    • State Police: Jason Klewicki, (585) 398-4100, (585) 398-4100
    • Geneva Police Department: Michael Passalacqua, PD Chief, (315) 789-1111
    • Fire Department: Del J. Parrotta, Fire Chief, (315) 789-6305
    • State Education Department: (518) 474-3852, (518) 474-3852
    • BOCES District Superintendent: Dr. Vicky Ramos, Superintendent, (315) 332-7400

    District Emergency Response Team

    The Emergency Response Team for the district shall be:

    • Superintendent of Schools
    • Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services
    • Assistant Superintendent for School Accountability and School Improvement
    • Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance
    • Director of Facilities & Operations
    • Director of Student Services
    • Director of Transportation
    • Chief of Police
    • Fire Chief
    • All Principals
    • Director of Communications

    Principals will form Building Emergency Response Teams for each building and be listed in their plans. Due to security reasons, school building plans will not be available for public review.

    District-Wide Emergency Response

    Emergency Response Guidelines for responses to an emergency. (See Appendix B for further explanation)

    • Lockdown
    • Lockout
    • Evacuation
    • Hold-in-Place
    • Shelter-in-Place
    • Reunification

    Crises Plan and Team

    The Crises Team will follow the Crises Plan when the superintendent or designee determines support is required to ensure the safety and well-being of students and employees. The Crises Team will review the Crises Plan each summer.

    Threat, Hazard Types, and Examples

    Threat and Hazard Type

    Natural Hazards

    • Earthquakes
    • Tornadoes
    • Lightning
    • Severe wind
    • Hurricanes
    • Floods
    • Wildfires
    • Extreme temperatures
    • Landslides or mudslides 
    • Winter precipitation
    • Wildlife

    Technological Hazards

    • Explosions or accidental release of toxins from industrial plants
    • Accidental release of hazardous materials from within the school, such as gas leaks or laboratory spills
    • Hazardous materials releases from major highways or railroads
    • Radiological releases from nuclear power stations
    •  
    • Power failure
    • Water failure

    Biological Hazards

    • Infectious diseases, such as pandemic influenza, extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus, and meningitis
    • Contaminated food outbreaks, including Salmonella, botulism, and E. coli
    • Toxic materials present in school laboratories

    Adversarial, Incidental, and Human-caused Threats:

    • Fire
    • Active shooters
    • Criminal threats or actions
    • Gang violence
    • Bomb threats
    • Domestic violence and abuse
    • Cyber attacks
    • >Suicide

    APPENDIX A: School Board Policies

    Appendix B

    Emergency Response Guide for Staff

    LOCKDOWN

    1. When you hear lockdown announced, you should move quickly to execute the following actions.
    2. If safe, gather students from hallways and common areas near your classroom.
    3. Lock your door. Barricade if necessary.
    4. Move students to a safe area in the classroom out of sight of the door.
    5. Leave windows, blinds/lights as they are.
    6. Keep everyone quiet, silence cell phones.
    7. Take attendance, if possible.
    8. Do not communicate through door or answer room phone.
    9. Do not respond to P.A. announcements or fire alarm.
    10. Stay hidden until physically released by law enforcement personnel.

    LOCKOUT

    1. Listen for instructions regarding the situation and your actions.
    2. Lock all exterior windows.
    3. Leave blinds/lights as they are.
    4. >Take Attendance.
    5. After initial instructions listen for updates.
    6. Classroom instruction continues as normal.
    7. All outdoor activities are terminated.
    8. Listen for updates.

    EVACUATION

    1. Listen for instructions about the situation and your actions.
    2. Lead students to designated assembly or announced assembly area. Use secondary route, if necessary.
    3. Bring attendance list and class roster.
    4. Close the classroom door after exiting.
    5. Take attendance when safe to do so.
    6. If evacuating off site, take attendance before moving from and upon arrival at an off-site location.
    7. Listen for Updates.

    HOLD-IN-PLACE

    1. Listen for instructions about the situation and your actions.
    2. Students in hallways should return to assigned classroom, if possible.
    3. Classroom teachers, take attendance.
    4. All other staff assist students, as needed.
    5. Listen for updates.

    SHELTER-IN-PLACE

    1. Listen for instructions about the situation and your actions.
    2. Students in hallways should return to assigned classroom, if possible.
    3. Classroom teachers, take attendance.
    4. All other staff assist students, as needed.
    5. Move away from windows, if situation warrants.
    6. If instructed, move out of classroom to designated safe area. Stay together at all times.
    7. Take Attendance.
    8. Listen for updates.

    PARENT-STUDENT REUNIFICATION

    1. Staff should assist parent-student reunification coordinators as required. Only a designated coordinator may release students to parents/guardians or other listed emergency contacts who present a picture ID such as a driver’s license, military ID, or passport.