Safety

The Methacton School District utilizes the Standard Response Protocol outlined below:

HOLD: There are situations that require students and staff to remain in their classrooms or stay out of access areas. For example, an altercation in the hallway may require keeping students out of the halls until it is resolved. A medical issue may require only one area to be cleared, with halls still open in case outside medical assistance is required.

The following are some examples of when a school might initiate a Hold:

• An altercation in a hallway;
• A medical issue that needs attention;
• Unfinished maintenance operation in a common area during class changes

SECURE: Secure Action is called when there is a threat or hazard outside of the school building. Whether it's due to violence or criminal activity in the immediate neighborhood, or a dangerous animal in the playground, Secure uses the security of the physical facility to act as protection.

The following are some examples of when a school or emergency dispatch might call for a Secure Action:

• An unknown or unauthorized person on the grounds
• Dangerous animal on or near the grounds
• Criminal activity in the area
• Planned police activity in the neighborhood

LOCKDOWN: Lockdown is called when there is a threat or hazard inside the school building. 

The following are a few examples of when a school or emergency dispatch might call for a Lockdown:

• Dangerous animal within a school building
• Intruder
• Report of a weapon
• Active assailant

EVACUATE: Evacuate is called when there is a need to move people from one location to another for safety reasons. 

The following are a few examples of when a school might call for an Evacuation:

• Hazard in the immediate area
• Bomb threats

SHELTER: Shelter is called when specific protective actions are needed based on a threat or hazard. 

The following are a few examples of when a school might call for a Shelter:

• Tornado
• Severe weather
• Wildfires
• Flooding
• Hazmat spill or release
• Earthquake 

How often will the district communicate during a safety-related event?

• Initial communication within 15 minutes of incident (if possible)
• Follow up communication every 15 minutes even if nothing has changed

Communication Content

• Communication will include:
  • Location of incident
  • Law enforcement involvement
  • Safety of students and staff
  • Reminder that updates will come every 15 minutes
• Follow-up communication may include:
  • Busing information
  • Car loop information
  • Feeding students
  • Reunification
  • False alarms

 

Communication Closure

• Closeout message sent when incident is over
• Summary message sent within 24 hours to provide information to stakeholders about what happened and how it was addressed

How can parents/guardians sign up for text messages?

From your cell phone, opt in to text messages by texting Y to number 67587.  You should immediately receive a verification message (see image below).

 

 

* The number you are texting from MUST BE THE SAME cell phone on file for your child(ren) in PowerSchool. To verify your information is accurate or to update your contact information, view our SchoolMessenger Communication Information.

• The Methacton Administration works with County Emergency Management Services and local law enforcement to review its emergency procedures, conduct safety audits, and ensure we consider best practices in our emergency preparedness and response methods. This is a continuous process.
• Each school’s emergency response team meets throughout the year to review, consider, and recommend ways of improving safety on campuses for our students and staff.

• Each month, schools are required to complete a safety drill. These drills are comprised of: evacuation, weather or lockdown drills.

• School counseling and nursing staff are trained in youth mental health first aid. The district has also provided free community mental health awareness trainings.
• We have begun to expand the Student Assistance Program (SAP) training to the elementary levels. Used primarily in secondary schools, SAP teams consisting of teachers, administrators, and outside mental health professionals meet to monitor and assist students and families in a variety of ways. The training that accompanies SAP helps our staff recognize early warning signs associated with drug, alcohol, and mental health concerns. This allows staff to be proactive in their support, and prepares them to communicate concerns to school personnel so that the appropriate community resources can be deployed. Click to learn more about the SAP process, or how to make a referral.
• Our partnership with Central Behavioral Health for four mental health specialists provides school-based individual and group sessions with students with emotional support needs. In addition, Central provides professional development and consultation with Methacton staff.
• Families will find a number of resources for talking to their children on our Pupil Services Department website.

All visitors are required to register upon arrival at each building. This is completed through the Raptor Visitor Management system, which enables a visitor to scan their government ID and the information is checked against federal offender databases at the time of check-in.