The safety of our students is our top priority. All members of our school community have a role in school safety, and knowing how to respond in the event of an emergency is an important part of this. Please review this information carefully and make sure your family has a plan in case of an emergency. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s school directly.
Expectations of Parents & Families
- In the event of an emergency, communications will be sent from the district to families via text, e-mail and phone call when we have accurate and appropriate information to share. Updates will be posted on the district website, as needed.
- In the event of an emergency situation, DO NOT rush to the school. This will create additional traffic and may impede emergency vehicles or otherwise disrupt response procedures.
- DO NOT CALL your student on his/her cell phone. Silence may be important in case there is an emergency and students need to focus on following instructions from adults at school.
- Please avoid speculating about emergency situations on social media, as this can cause more panic and disruption.
- If a situation requires transporting students to an alternate site, parents/guardians will be informed of that location via the district’s messaging system and the website.
- Students may be held at an alternate site until release is approved by the district or public safety officials. Students will only be released to authorized individuals.
How Can YOU Prepare for an Emergency?
- Have an early dismissal plan and make sure your child is aware of it, including they will go, who will be waiting for them at the bus stop. Make sure emergency “backup” contacts (e.g. grandparents, neighbors) know their role.
- All parents/guardians MUST keep their emergency contact information and school records updated. If you have any questions, please contact the school’s main offices.
- Make sure your student knows his/her bus number, regardless of if they take the bus on a regular basis. Buses may be used to transport all students in an emergency and it is important they know the number.
Safety Program Updates and Upgrades
- Security Camera System Replacement/Upgrade: Completed across the district in the spring of 2018
- Visitor Management System: Coming online in the fall of 2018, this new system will scan a visitor’s license and print a badge. Please bring a valid photo ID when you come to the school.
- New Technology: Two new systems are digitizing safety information and facilitating internal communications in case of emergency.
Safety Plans and Training in Niskayuna Schools
A district-wide safety plan and individual school safety plans are established annually. Staff and student training is a critical component of implementing the plans. Each year, students and staff are required to complete four lockdown and eight fire drills. The goal is to ensure that all are well-versed in safety procedures and protocols. These drills and procedures will continue to evolve based on best practices and our work with law enforcement. We are focused on ensuring they are meaningful and age-appropriate.
School Resource Officer (SRO) Program
As part of the 2025-26 budget, the district restored its School Resource Officer (SRO) program by contracting with the Niskayuna Police Department for one full-time SRO at Niskayuna High School. What does that look like in our district?
Key Responsibilities of a School Resource Officer in Niskayuna
- Mentorship
- School Safety and Security
- Student and Staff Support
- Education and Prevention Programming
- Crisis Management
- Conflict Resolution and Mediation
- Collaboration
How is an SRO different from other law enforcement officers?
School Resource Officer (SRO)
Primary Assignment:
- Schools
Focus:
- Prevention & relationships
Safety & Crisis:
- Embedded in planning, drills & threat assessment
Juvenile Justice:
- Discretion & alternatives, resource engagement/management
Overall:
- Youth-centered, education-focused & relationship-driven
Other Law Enforcement Officers
Primary Assignment:
- Community
Focus:
- Education Enforcement & Response
Safety & Crisis:
- Limited role in planning, focused on response
Juvenile Justice:
- Focus on enforcement, transition to community-based resources
Overall:
- Law enforcement, public safety & broader community policing focus
Our School Resource Officer will not be a disciplinarian or an investigator.
Disciplinarian
- Does not impose consequences for school violations.
- Does not act as an intimidator for behavior.
- Does not sit in on disciplinary hearings or give recommendations.
Investigator
- Does not take primary role in criminal investigations.
- Any criminal investigation reported would be transitioned to regular NPD staff for follow up.
Tips for Talking with Children About School Safety
Whether it’s on the news or related to a drill or incident at school, students may have concerns or questions related to their safety at times. School counselors and social workers are available to support your child – reach out if you need help.
- Remind students that schools are safe places. Our school staff works with local police and fire departments, emergency responders, and medical professionals to keep them safe.
- Children should tell an adult they trust if they see or hear something that makes you feel uncomfortable, nervous, or frightened.
- At times it may be prudent to limit the students’ exposure to the media.
- Try to say calm and answer questions the best that you can.
- When something upsets a child, sticking to a routine and doing activities they enjoy is often helpful.
- There are opportunities for students to play a positive role in the school and community, through clubs, other activities or just helping classmates.
Definitions
Hold
In a hold, the movement of staff and students is limited while there is a short term emergency in the building that is handled. During a hold, regular school business continues as usual within classrooms.
Secure Lockout
A secure lockout is used to secure the school buildings or grounds during incidents that may pose a threat outside of the school building. This ensures all students are safe inside the building and no one can enter from the outside.
Lockdown
A lockdown is used to secure school buildings and grounds during incidents that pose an immediate threat of violence inside or around the school. The primary objective of a lockdown is to quickly ensure all school staff, students and visitors are secured in rooms away from immediate danger.
Evacuate
Evacuation takes place if it is determined that it is safer outside than inside the building. For example, there may be a fire, explosion or hazardous materials spill. In an evacuation, all students, staff and visitors are able to safely reach the evacuation location without danger.
Shelter
A shelter is called when students and staff are required to remain indoors, perhaps for an extended period of time, because it is safer inside the building than outside. Hazards might include weather or other environmental concerns.
District-Wide School Safety Plan
Districts are required to develop a District-wide School Safety Plan designed to prevent or minimize the effects of serious violent incidents and emergencies and to facilitate the coordination of the district with local and county resources in the event of such incidents or emergencies. The District-wide School Safety Plan is responsive to the needs of all schools within the district and is consistent with the more detailed building-level emergency response plans required at the school building level.