Annual School Safety and Security Update – October 25, 2024

We understand that a secure learning environment is essential for fostering a positive and productive school experience. To ensure the ongoing safety of our schools and the well-being of our students and staff, we have implemented various measures that are regularly reviewed and updated. These efforts include:

Emergency Preparedness – The District, working with local law enforcement, has developed safety plans and established protocols for emergency preparedness and response. In addition, we practice regular emergency drills and exercises, conduct canine sweeps, and participate in ongoing safety training for school staff and administrators.

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 from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and offers three options for submitting an anonymous tip:

● Call the tipline: 1-844-SAF2SAY (1-844-723-2729)
● Use the website: https://www.safe2saypa.org
● Use the mobile app available in iOS and Android stores

Raptor Visitor Management System – Part of keeping students and staff safe is knowing who is in our buildings at all times. The Raptor Visitor Management System allows us to quickly identify those who may present a danger to our students. In the unlikely event of an incident, police and other authorities will have access to these electronic visitor logs, which have a photograph of the visitor and a date and time stamp of their entry and exit times.

Student Care Teams – Student Care Teams have been established to create and maintain a safe, positive school culture at York Suburban. The primary functions of these teams are to support students proactively, encourage communication between students and trusted adults, and decrease the likelihood of tragic events in our community. Members of the Student Care Teams are trained to conduct threat assessments using an evidence-based, proactive approach.

Working Together – We believe that a safe and secure environment is a collaborative effort and encourage students, families, and staff to report any suspicious activity or concerns immediately. A new page has been added to our District website, providing easy-to-access Safety and Security resources and additional information about the measures outlined in this message. The page is located under the Departments tab at https://www.yssd.org/departments/safety/

If you have any questions about the emergency response protocols in your student’s school or suggestions on how we can better support your student, please contact me or your building principal. Thank you for your continued partnership in creating a safe and positive learning environment for all.

Respectfully,

Rebecca Lorfink, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent & School Safety Coordinator
rlorfink@yssd.org