Safety, Behavioral and Health Supports
Parkland School District is committed to providing a safe and supportive school community that fosters good citizenship and an environment conducive to learning. In compliance with state law and current best practices, the district provides programs that address substance abuse, student safety, conflict resolution and other important topics to every student and in every grade level. Included in this brochure are the programs and initiatives supported by our Student Services, Teaching and Learning and Safety & Security Departments. The purpose of this page is to provide a description of the scope and types of programs offered across the grade levels to keep Parkland students safe physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually.
Safety and Crisis Management Response
Goal: To prepare district staff and facilities for a crisis/emergency situation.
Visitor Policy
The physical safety of our students is our top of priority. A comprehensive security system includes locked exterior doors during the school day. All visitors, including parents, are required to make an appointment with the school staff before arrival. Parents should be able to identify the name of their child, their grade, and the name of their teacher or the person they are trying to see. All visitors must utilize the schools’ main entrances, which are monitored with security cameras and equipped with door buzzers that allow school staff to screen visitors before allowing access to the building. It is possible that the administration may ask parents to come at a different time if they do not have an appointment or do not have sufficient information identifying the purpose and/or knowledge of their visit. All visitor’s will be required to provide ID and use the electronic visitor management system. Visitor's must be escorted at all times.
Emergency Management Plan
An Emergency Operation Plan outlines the District’s approach to emergency management and operations. It provides general guidance for emergency management activities and an overview of methods of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The plan describes emergency response organization and assigns responsibilities for various emergency tasks. The plan is intended to empower employees in an emergency and clarify emergency roles and response. It is also intended to provide a framework for more specific functional annexes that describe in more detail who does what, when, and how. The plan is aligned to the protocols recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. The district reviews the protocols through collaborative work with local law enforcement and first responders.
Administrative Discipline Policies
Each building has a written discipline code and a corollary bus policy code which is administered by the principal and assistant principals. The discipline code is consistent with district policy as well as state and federal law. It identifies unacceptable behaviors and defines the consequences for those behaviors. Swift and consistent discipline is complemented by providing necessary assistance for students who may require social, emotional, and/or behavioral support.
Safe2Say Something
This program, implemented in all Pennsylvania school districts in January 2019, teaches students and staff how to recognize warning signs and signals, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others. Further, it educates them to SAY SOMETHING to a trusted adult OR to use the Safe2Say anonymous reporting system. Adults and youth are able to report tips anonymously through the Office of Attorney General’s 24/7 Crisis Center (1-844-SAF2SAY), through a mobile app (apple and android), or through Pennsylvania’s Safe2Say Something website www.safe2saypa.org.
Threat Assessments
Act 18 of 2019 requires each school entity to establish at least one threat assessment team for the assessment of and intervention with students whose behavior may indicate a threat to the safety of the student, other students, school employees, school facilities, the community, or others. It utilizes a research based protocol that is endorsement by The United States Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security.
Formal Prevention Programs
Goal: To explain the dangers, of substance abuse and promote conflict resolution techniques.
Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention Programs
The Parkland School District is committed to the goal of providing a drug-free educational environment and school community. In compliance with state law requirements, the district provides programs and curricula addressing prevention of substance abuse to every student in all grade levels each year.
D.A.R.E. Program
The Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program is presented by two specially selected and trained members of the South Whitehall and Upper Macungie Township Police Departments. The officers present 11 lessons to each 5th grade class culminating in a graduation ceremony involving parents. The middle school officer presents 10 lessons on the Keeping it Real program to the 7th grade class. Presentations are also made to students in kindergarten.
Curriculum Presentations
Additional presentations are made to students every year including programs designed to assist in decision making, problem solving, and being aware of the potential dangers of drugs, alcohol, and other risky behaviors. Lessons regarding the appreciation of diversity, suicide awareness and prevention and issues arising from cyber-bullying are also incorporated into the curriculum.
S.A.D.D. Program
Students Against Destructive Decisions, a chapter of the national S.A.D.D. organization, encourages students to be involved in the education of the student body, the community, and younger students about the dangers of alcohol, drugs, and other destructive decisions that may arise during the adolescent years. The club organizes ongoing drug-free school activities.
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
The Olweus Program is a research based bullying prevention program. Parkland elementary and middle school staff have been trained on the principles of the Bullying Prevention program. A core team has been trained in strategies and interventions designed to foster a community of respect and acceptance. The program operates through the school, classroom, individual, and community level. Parents are included in the process and encouraged to contact their child’s school for further information.
School Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS)
School wide positive behavior support is a researched-based methodology that encompasses systemic and individualized strategies for achieving social and learning outcomes for all students within the elementary, middle and high schools. This is accomplished by focusing on the critical link between instruction and desired student behavior. All students are instructed in the behavioral expectations of the school through systematic lessons. Students are recognized when they demonstrate these expectations at school through a school wide behavior program. In turn, this creates a positive school culture and climate by emphasizing appropriate social interactions and learning expectations for all students at the elementary level.
Interventions
Goal: To identify and design appropriate interventions for at-risk youngsters.
School CORE Teams
All buildings have CORE teams that consist of the principal, school psychologist, counselor, teachers and other specialists as needed. These teams review student academic and behavioral data and implement interventions when needed.
St. Luke’s YESS Program
This school-based therapy program provides integrated mental health treatment with the goal of helping students overcome emotional behavioral and social problems.
District Counselors & Psychologists
Every school is staffed with school counselors who provides social and emotional support to the students through formal and informal programs. The counselors provide direct interventions to students in crisis in addition to making referrals to appropriate mental health professionals. Parkland School District also employs school psychologists who contribute additional professional expertise to crisis management and mental health interventions. The school psychologists work closely with various support teams in the school and community to assure that recommendations are appropriate and comprehensive.
Student Assistance Program – Grades K-12 (SAP)
Student Assistance Teams (SAP) are mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. They are involved in identifying students who are experiencing barriers to learning and who are at risk of becoming involved with alcohol or other drugs. Students who are experiencing significant mental health problems are also identified in cooperation with the school counselors. Referrals are made to appropriate community-based agencies for evaluation and treatment. Parents, students and teachers may make a referral to the SAP program by contacting their school counselor or one of the SAP members.
Parkland Behavioral Strategies Program (PBSP)
PBSP is an alternative disciplinary program afforded to middle and high school students, which provides academic support during an out-of-school suspension period. The behavioral component provides the student with behavioral skills as they relate to the four domains of adolescence (self, family, peers, and community) followed by group discussion, activities, and the completion of a goal oriented action plan.
Crisis Response Flight Team
Parkland’s Crisis Response Flight Team assists schools in providing immediate crisis intervention services as well as training for post-intervention activities to meet the needs of the school and community. The team is comprised of a diverse group of professionals including psychologists, counselors, administrators, police officers, and teachers. All team members have participated in a 5-day Crisis Management Institute training and have a variety of experience in responding to crisis.
District-wide Initiatives
Post Prom Party
The Parkland High School Parent Forum Committee organizes a post prom party that takes place from 11 PM – 5 AM at the high school. The event which follows the prom, offers numerous activities for students including athletic events, dancing, music, games, and prizes. The event is organized by parent volunteers at the elementary, middle and high school levels. To volunteer to help out with this event, please contact the high school at 610-351-5600.
Parkland School District Emergency Task Force
In existence since 2006, this committee is comprised of school administrators and first responders from South Whitehall, North Whitehall, Upper Macungie and Pennsylvania State Police. The purpose of the committee is to develop a cooperative partnership to promote safety and well-being for the students in the geographic area of Parkland School District. The Task Force has improved communication between agencies, participated in a variety of prevention oriented drills and exercises, and remains informed of current best practices in the field of school safety.
School Resource Officer
Parkland School District employs School Resource Officers around the District. By providing a visible presence in the high school and middle schools, these specially trained officers work in partnership with staff to maintain a safe and orderly learning environment. The resource officers are available to consult with various school-based teams as well as to work with high school and middle school administration to deter inappropriate behavior by students. The ongoing positive relationship with the township police department allows the district to provide proactive informational sessions with students in addition to having a police presence.
Parkland Police Pals
Police officers from South Whitehall, Upper Macungie and Pennsylvania State Police departments are welcome to visit our schools, have breakfast and/or lunch with the students or stop in for a bagged lunch to eat on the go. The goal of this program is to create a daily police presence in all of our schools. It’s a great opportunity for police officers to be more visible in the schools and for the students, teachers, staff and parents to recognize the police officers who are integral in protecting our community on a daily basis. In addition, you can expect to see marked police vehicles at front entrances to our schools and in our parking lots at various times throughout the day.
Parent University
The Middle Schools offer various parent workshops throughout the school year regarding various topics related to parenting, student wellness and safety and other timely topics. Please stay posted for these events which are announced by the middle school principals throughout the year.
For More Information:
Office of Student Services: 610-351-5555
Office of Teaching and Learning: 610-351-5540
Office of Safety and Security: 601-351-5600