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Safety on Campus

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Creating environments where students feel secure, supported, and empowered
to succeed is a top priority for the Tangipahoa Parish School System.

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Securing our Learning environments

CONTROLLED ACCESS: One of the most important things we can do to protect our campuses from potential threats that jeopardize the safety of students and employees is to keep the threat from ever entering the campus at all. Therefore, we will control access to all our school campuses. Our priority is to have one point of ingress and egress for each school. In accordance with state law and Tangipahoa Parish School Board policy, no person is allowed on school grounds or in school buildings or facilities without authorization from the appropriate school official.  All visitors will be required to report to the main entrance/office immediately upon coming onto school grounds and must state the purpose of their visit. The main entry at each school will be clearly marked and, throughout the campuses, signage will be posted directing any and all visitors to the main office. Our school principals are authorized to take the necessary steps in dealing with unauthorized visitors.

LOCKED DOORS AND SAFETY MONITORS: All exterior doors at our schools will be secured and locked all day. School administrators will assign “safety monitors” to check exterior doors throughout the day to ensure they are securely locked and not propped open for any reason. 

REPORTING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY: Everyone on campus should be observant and should report any suspicious activity.  Students, parents, employees, and community members must say something if they see or hear something!  Nothing is too small to report to local law enforcement or school officials so threats may be checked out to give us all peace of mind and ensure our safety. Any suspicious activity may be reported anonymously through the P3 App. Reports entered through this app are automatically sent to law enforcement and specific school administrators to investigate. You may download the app by going to our website (www.tangischools.org) and typing P3 App in the search bar. Also, you may report any potential threats by calling 1-877-668-2421. The Tangipahoa Parish School System was one of the first school districts to partner with the Louisiana State Police to utilize 3D mapping. This new technology provides in-depth details of every building in our school system. This will allow law enforcement a much faster response time in case of a safety threat. The RAVE App is another technology tool that can be downloaded on any smartphone. This app allows any employee to report an intruder or emergency on the school campus by pushing a button on his or her phone. It quickly notifies authorities and identifies exactly where they are in the building. This, along with the 3D mapping, helps ensure faster response times. 

PRESENCE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS: We will have an “open door policy” for all law enforcement officers to visit our campuses, have lunch, and park on our campuses while completing paperwork, etc. Local law enforcement officers will now have access to our school cameras so they may assist in case of any threat to the safety of our campuses.  Also, we are increasing the number of School Resource Officers at our schools. Because all our high schools are LHSAA schools, uniformed deputies will be on hand at all our high school sporting events. 

TRAINING AND DRILLS: We provide active shooter training to our employees and require our schools to conduct various drills throughout the year to prepare for an emergency situation - secure, lockdown, evacuation, and shelter in place, etc. We will also continue school discussions at whole faculty meetings or professional learning communities regarding various scenarios related to threats.

 

What does it mean when a School goes on Lockdown?

A school lockdown is a safety protocol implemented to protect students and staff from potential threats, such as a school intruder or other dangers. During a lockdown, all students, teachers, and staff are instructed to stay secured inside their classrooms or designated safe areas. Students are not allowed in hallways or other areas of the school.  Exterior doors are locked, and entry and exit are restricted. Law enforcement may block the entrances to the school if they feel necessary. The goal of a lockdown is to secure the campus and limit access to potentially dangerous situations until law enforcement and school leaders can investigate and ensure the safety of everyone on campus.

While we hope that such situations never occur, it is important to be prepared. Here are some tips to help you prepare your child for potential lockdowns:

  1. Communication: Talk to your child about the importance of school safety and the purpose of lockdown drills. Explain that a lockdown is a precautionary measure to keep everyone safe.

  2. Reassurance: Reassure your child that the school and teachers have safety plans in place to keep them safe during an emergency and that law enforcement will be involved to ensure their safety. Let them know that their safety is our top priority.

  3. Listening: Encourage your child to share any concerns or fears they may have about safety at school. Listen attentively and address their concerns calmly.

  4. Emergency Contact: Be sure to update your email and cell phone numbers with the school so that you can be informed of a lockdown situation and when the lockdown is lifted at your child’s school.

  5. Follow School Procedures: Familiarize yourself with the lockdown procedures and discuss with your child. Follow any instructions or guidelines provided by the school.

  6. Practice: Encourage students to pay attendance and actively participate in school drills to practice lockdown and other safety procedures.

  7. Stay Informed: Follow the school's communication channels for updates and information through email, text, social media, TPSS APP, and TPSS Website.

By preparing your child for a potential lockdown, you can help alleviate fear and anxiety and empower them to respond calmly and safely in an emergency situation. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation in keeping our school community safe.

 

Family Involvement in Preventing Fights

The safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities, and we take fighting on our school campuses very seriously. While schools take immediate action to address incidents, we also believe that family involvement is crucial in preventing such incidents.

Families can play a significant role in promoting positive behavior and conflict resolution skills among students. Listed below are several ways families can help prevent fights and promote a safe school environment:

  1. Communication: Encourage open and honest communication with your child. Talk to them about the importance of peaceful conflict resolution and the consequences of violence.

  2. Set a Positive Example: Children often learn by example. Model respectful behavior and demonstrate healthy ways to resolve conflicts in your own interactions.

  3. Monitor Media and Online Activity: Be aware of the media content and online interactions of your child. Monitor their social media accounts and address any concerning behavior or content.

  4. Support School Policies: Familiarize yourself with the school's code of conduct and policies regarding behavior. Support and reinforce these policies at home.

  5. Encourage Involvement: Encourage your child to get involved in positive activities, such as sports, arts, or clubs that promote teamwork and cooperation.

  6. Seek Help if Needed: If you notice any concerning behavior or signs of aggression in your child, seek help from a school counselor, mental health professional, or other appropriate resources.

We are committed to working together with families to create a safe and supportive environment for all students. We encourage families to actively participate in efforts to prevent violence and promote positive behavior among students. 

Students and families can anonymously report concerns about potential conflicts between students and safety threats to the school through the P3 App or by calling 1-877-668-2421. Click here to learn more about the P3 APP. By working together we can eliminate violence in our community and schools. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary.

Thank you for your support and commitment in keeping our community and schools safe.