In recent years, school safety has become a paramount concern for educators, parents, and students alike. At The Harley School, an independent Nursery through Grade 12 school in Rochester NY, we are entrusted with the well-being of every child that attends. For us, and every other school around the country, our number one priority is creating peace-of-mind for parents, employees, and students and to assure them that they remain safe from any dangers while on school grounds.

The need to provide a secure and nurturing environment for learning has prompted educational institutions worldwide to implement robust safety protocols. These protocols aim to prevent and respond effectively to potential threats, creating a learning atmosphere free of fear or distraction.

Threat Assessment and Prevention

A crucial aspect of school safety protocols is the implementation of threat assessment and prevention measures. Adopting proactive strategies help identify potential risks and appropriate actions to mitigate them. Regular threat assessments need to be conducted involving collaboration among school administrators, law enforcement, and mental health professionals.

This multidisciplinary approach enables the early identification of potential threats, including bullying, violence, or psychological issues. Comprehensive prevention efforts not only minimize potential threats but also foster an environment of trust and support.

Enhanced Physical Security

To ensure school safety, it is crucial to establish robust physical security measures. This includes controlled access points, security cameras, and visitor management systems. Restricting access helps prevent unauthorized individuals from entering, reducing the risk of intruders or other external threats.

Furthermore, conducting regular and flexible safety drills and providing emergency procedure training to staff and students are vital to a comprehensive safety protocol. We follow New York State requirements for lockdown and evacuation. Additionally, we have increased our focus on our Reunification procedures. This preparedness equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to respond swiftly and effectively during critical situations.

Standard Response Protocol

Perhaps the most widely executed protocols for crisis response and post-crisis reunification are those laid out by the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), set up by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation. Created in response to the 2006 Platte Canyon High School shooting, the SRP is used in more than 40,000 schools, districts, departments, agencies, organizations, and communities world-wide. The five building blocks are created through research-based best practices of school administrators, psychologists, public space safety experts, families, and first responders:

● Hold

● Secure

● Lockdown

● Evaluate

● Shelter

These simple, yet effective, actions standardize communication and procedures during critical incidents. Implementing these protocols ensures consistent responses and streamlined communication during different emergency scenarios, allowing for a more efficient and coordinated response.

Introducing the SRP at Harley launched a complete rewrite of our emergency operations plan and standardized our approach to safety. In fact, the SRP’s drill evaluation research helped point out where weaknesses existed and figured prominently in our decision to install a completely new PA system and additional emergency communication tools.

This past year, we created a 12-member Crisis Response Team with designated member alternates. Its structure is based on the principles of the Incident Command System, a widely recognized framework for effective emergency management. Working hand-in-glove with the Safety Committee, its purpose is to execute the Emergency Operations Plan, coordinate emergency services, and provide timely information and support to students, staff, and families. During its first year, the team worked to understand and practice each of their specific roles. Monthly meetings address current activities, research, and lessons learned from other schools, locally and nationally.

With the SRP also came a network of resources training and important guidance and information including proper drill evaluation. A lockdown drill isn't any good without examining and analyzing successes and shortcomings. Knowing and acting on that information results in a school’s ability to shore up any vulnerabilities and improve responses the next time.

Communication and Collaboration

Effective communication and collaboration are essential elements of any school safety protocol. Establishing clear lines of communication among school administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community stakeholders is crucial for sharing information, reporting concerns, and coordinating emergency responses.

Mid-year into our new safety initiatives, I implemented a safety climate survey for students in grades 5-12, faculty, and staff. Respondents rated their responses on a 1-5 scale. Questions included:

● I feel adequately trained on school safety policies and procedures

● I know what to do during a lockdown (this question was asked for each of the five response protocols)

● Overall, how safe do you feel in your classrooms? (also asked for school grounds and school community)

● Overall, how satisfied are you with the school's safety policies?

For the most part, respondents were pleased with our new initiatives. On the lockdown and evacuation questions, everyone felt very prepared. A survey highlight—in line with research, and not surprising—is that protocols yielding the highest preparedness level are those requiring both verbal training and physical drilling. Additional survey outcomes prompted us to add initiatives for additional types of drills this coming year.
Modern technology plays a vital role in facilitating communication during emergencies. Mass notification systems, mobile apps, or digital platforms enable schools to disseminate critical information quickly to all relevant parties, ensuring a rapid and coordinated response.
Forging partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, and community organizations enhances overall school safety. In the upcoming year, our Crisis Response Team will focus on implementing dedicated communications software, including robocalls, text messages, and other approaches according to best practices.

Mental Health Support

Promoting and prioritizing mental health support is an integral part of comprehensive school safety protocols. Mental health issues can significantly impact student well-being and potentially lead to behavioral problems or violence. Harley’s Wellness Team and Trauma, Illness, and Grief Team include members of the Safety Committee and Crisis Response Team, as well as our Counseling Team is well-versed in assisting students needing extra support during or after an incident.

Making the System Work

Comprehensive school safety protocols encompass a range of strategies and initiatives aimed at creating secure and nurturing learning environments. However, as good as our systems are, we can’t “purchase” safety and security. The system is only as good as the people who use it. Schools need buy-in from all their constituents to ensure the highest level of success.
Our journey this past year to build a new safety program, create a comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan, and adopt the SRP has been transformative. It has prompted continual conversation and awareness within our school community, assuring parents, staff, and students, that their well-being is our biggest priority.

About the author

Branden Haskell is the Director of Safety and Facilities Coordinator for The Harley School in Rochester, NY. He develops, implements, and manages programs designed to effectively address security and school safety needs, and is responsible for planning, developing, and coordinating a comprehensive school safety program. Through his leadership, the school culture is becoming more safety-aware and proactive in their approach.

About The Harley School
Founded in 1917, The Harley School is a nationally recognized, independent school in Rochester, NY, offering an innovative and demanding college preparatory program for approximately 515 students in Nursery through Grade 12. Across the curriculum, faculty guide students through idea-driven exploration and problem solving, cultivating curiosity, confidence, and joy in learning. Taking a balanced approach to academic disciplines, the arts, and athletics, Harley teaches critical thinking, creativity, empathy, and civic responsibility. Harley's motto, and hope for each student, is "Become What Thou Art.”