BCPS Families,
As you know, school safety is a top priority for us here in BCPS, and recent national events have underscored its importance. School safety is not the sole responsibility of any one person but a shared commitment that aligns with our district's core value of Shared Accountability. Everyone plays a vital role in ensuring our schools are as safe as possible at all times.
We want to assure you that we are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff. Here are some of the measures we have in place to make BCPS a safe and happy place to work and learn:
Visitor protocol: All front office staff must follow visitor protocol for every person entering the building.
Sign-in/sign-out: Any guest entering each school is required to use an electronic system that is linked to the national sex offender registry.
Locked doors: All exterior doors are closed and locked at all times.
Authorized entry: Only the front entrance is used for school admission; no other doors will allow entry for visitors (during school hours).
Regular checks: School Resource Officers routinely patrol school campuses and check exterior doors.
Classroom security: All classroom doors, including library, gym, and multi-purpose room doors are locked and closed during instructional time.
Emergency plans and regular drills: Students and staff practice emergency drills regularly, including lockdown, fire, severe weather, and earthquake drills. All schools create an emergency plan throughout each school year.
Safety reporting: We encourage ALL community members, including students, to use the STOP tipline to report any safety concerns.
Open communication: When talking with your child, be honest, keep in mind age-appropriate language, and avoid misleading them. Remember that children's worries may differ from adults', and listening to their concerns can help them cope with challenging experiences. For more information on talking to children about school crises, visit this webpage from the National Association of School Psychologists.
Regular inspections: Each school is assigned a regional state security marshal who conducts unannounced inspections to ensure safety protocols are followed. These marshals also work with the local law enforcement and School Resource Officers to ensure compliance and cooperation between law enforcement and schools.
Active shooter training: Staff are trained in active shooter protocols and partner with the KY Center for School Safety and Kentucky State Police.
Community partnerships: We have strong relationships with local and state law enforcement agencies, who are trained in Active Shooter scenarios. All police officers in the county have access to be able to enter our school buildings in the event of an emergency. Dispatch also has access to our camera surveillance system in the event of an emergency to assist responding officers.
Mental Health Support: BCPS has mental health professionals on staff and also partners with multiple therapeutic agencies that provide mental health support to students and staff to address emotional well-being and identify potential issues.
Threat Assessment and Trauma-Informed Teams: All schools have teams that address and support students in times of crisis and provide best practices to staff on the most effective way to support students.
As you can see, BCPS prides itself in a layered security approach; think of it like an onion: each layer provides a level of protection, and it's more difficult for a threat to get through these multiple layers.
Your child's safety is our top priority! We appreciate your continued support in creating a safe and nurturing learning environment for all. We encourage you to partner with us in promoting school safety. Please talk to your child about the importance of reporting any suspicious activity to a trusted adult.