School Safety
Emergency Preparedness
The Northgate School District is committed to taking proactive measures to protect the safety of all our students and staff members. We have made preparations to deal effectively with emergency situations that could occur in or around the school while classes are in session. While we hope that a natural disaster or other serious incidents never occur, our goal is to be as prepared as possible for any potential emergency. Our priority at all times is to protect all students and staff from harm.
The Northgate School District and all school facilities have crisis and safety plans. The plans are designed with the assistance of administrative staff members, as well as local law enforcement, emergency management, and public health officials. The plans, which are regularly reviewed and updated, include procedures to respond to a variety of incidents. School district personnel and students practice drills associated with specific emergencies on a regular basis.
Northgate School District administrators consult with local, state, and federal health, safety, and emergency personnel to develop and maintain plans for coping with a variety of emergency situations. The District's Safety and Security Committee made up of school administrators and staff and representatives of the Avalon and Bellevue Police Department and Fire Departments, meet monthly during the school year to discuss crisis response, management, prevention, and communication. Members of the committee are NIMS certified and attend state and local safety and security training sessions annually. Additionally, the district has a threat assessment team that participates in annual training. This team works to evaluate any potential threats and develop follow-up recommendations.
If you have any questions about your school's safety responses, please contact your school principal.
Call 9-1-1 to report suspicious incidents or behavior.
Safe2Say Something
Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late.
In 2018, the General Assembly passed Act 44 mandating the establishment and use of the “Safe2Say Something” anonymous reporting system by every Pennsylvania school entity by January 14, 2019.
THREE WAYS TO SUBMIT AN ANONYMOUS TIP:
- Call the tipline: 1-844-SAF2SAY (1-844-723-2729)
- Use the website: www.safe2saypa.org
- Use the mobile app available in iOS and Android stores
HERE’S 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, crisis center may contact tipster anonymously through the app
Safe2Say Something Brochure
Safe2Say Something Information Sheet
Northgate Incident Reporting Form
The purpose of this form is to provide students and families an easily accessible manner for reporting incidents that violate our District's goals toward diversity, equity and inclusion. This form will activate a workflow where the reported incident is documented and moves from student/guardian, to appropriate administrator to be investigated. After the investigation is completed, incidents will be resolved and reports provided to appropriate parties.
For more information, please refer to Board policy 103 Discrimination/Title IX Sexual Harassment Affecting Students. All Board policies are available for review on the Northgate School District website www.northgatesd.net.
Title IX Training
Harassment is a concern faced by all public employers and is a matter of which all employees must be aware. Not only is harassment improper and unprofessional, it is against the policies of the Northgate School District and is a violation of Federal and State laws. All school employees have the crucial responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner that does not create an uncomfortable or hostile environment for employees and students.
Title IX Coordinator:
Christina Garczewski
Director of Special Education
Administration
Christina.Garczewski@northgatesd.net
School: 412-732-3300 ext. 2108