Somerset University Preparatory Academy

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Code Yellow/Code Red In the event of an emergency, the primary responsibility of all school personnel is to provide for the safety of all students. In the event a school personnel announces a possible threat to students and staff safety exists within the community (Code Yellow), or an imminent threat to students and staff safety exists within the school (Code Red) students, faculty and staff will comply with all the procedures outlined in the Critical Incident Response Plan and remain on lockdown until a school administrator makes an “All Clear” announcement.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

Student and employee safety are a primary concern of the School. The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) was created to provide school personnel with the necessary leadership skills and knowledge needed to respond to critical incidents or other related emergencies that may occur in our schools/community. All schools have a site-specific plan to address all types of critical incidents. These plans address the individual needs of the school and provide guidelines for devising methods for communicating with the staff, students, parents/guardians, and the media during a critical incident or an emergency. Some of the protective action procedures include the evacuation of students/staff from the building(s), evacuation of the disabled and if necessary, the relocation of students/staff from the school campus, lockdown procedures and holding/dismissing students during school and community emergencies. Some important tips for parents/guardians to remember during a Critical Incident are as follows:

Remain calm;
Monitor media outlets for updates and official messages from Somerset University Preparatory Academy;
Do not flood the school with telephone calls; and

If the school is on lockdown, wait until the lockdown is lifted before going to the school. All school administrators, Directors and all School Resource officers have been adequately trained in the school EOP and are prepared to respond immediately during a critical incident or emergency to provide safety for all children.

FIRE DRILLS

Ten fire drills will take place during the school year according to the School’s policy and emergency procedures. At the sound of the emergency bell, students must stop what they are doing and follow the teacher’s instructions. Students must clear the building promptly by the prescribed route. Any student who is in the hallway or the restroom at the sound of the emergency bell must proceed to the nearest exit and locate the teacher. Students, teachers and staff must remain outside the building until permission is given to re-enter.

EMERGENCY DRILLS

Monthly emergency drills, to include active shooter drill and one hostage situation or bomb threat drill, will take place during the school year according to Florida Senate Bill 7026, also known as the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. One additional active shooter drill must take place within the first 30 days of the opening of schools. All emergency drills shall be conducted in accordance with the appropriate corresponding situational response as outlined in the EOP and shall include developmentally appropriate and age-appropriate procedures. Lockdown Procedures Lockdowns are utilized in response to an immediate threat posed to students and staff. Schools have successfully performed lockdowns in response to police activity adjacent to a facility and potential armed intruders onsite. Students, faculty and staff will comply with all the procedures outlined in the Schools Critical Incident Response Plan and remain on lockdown until a school administrator and/or law enforcement makes an “All Clear” announcement.

THREAT ASSESSMENTS

The School has a mandated set of procedures for threat assessment. A threat assessment is a problem-solving approach to violence prevention that involves assessment and intervention with students who have threatened violence in some way. When a preliminary determination is made, by the school administrator or designee, that a student poses a threat of violence or physical harm to him/herself or others is known, a Threat Assessment Team (TAT) shall be notified and shall convene to determine the best course of action. Authorized members of the TAT may obtain criminal history record information, if applicable. Students determined to be at-risk for violence will be referred to mental health services. Threat assessment and disciplinary procedures are separate processes. Regardless of whether a threat is determined to be transient, serious substantive, or very serious substantive, appropriate disciplinary procedures shall be followed in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct.

VISITORS

Due to legal regulations, students are not permitted to have guests attend school with them at any time. Parents/guardians are always welcome, and tours may be arranged to view the school. Classroom visits require 24-hour notice. Visitors must first register with security at the main entrance, sign-in, produce photo identification, and then proceed to register in the main office. Anyone who fails to follow these procedures will be considered a trespasser and is subject to arrest.

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

The Florida Department of Education Zero Tolerance Policy on school violence, crime, and the use of weapons. As an approach to reducing school violence, the intent of the policy is to provide a safe school climate that is drug-free and protects student health, safety, and civil rights.

This policy requires the school district to impose the most severe consequences provided for in the Code of Student Conduct in dealing with students who engage in violent criminal acts, such as:

bringing or possessing a firearm or weapon to school, any school sponsored activity, or on school-sponsored transportation; shall also result in a referral for expulsion and mental health services pursuant to Section 1006.13 F.S. making a threat or false report, respectively, involving school or school personnel’s property, school transportation, or school-sponsored activity; shall also result in a referral for expulsion and mental health services pursuant to Section 1006.13 F.S.
homicide;
assault, battery, and culpable negligence;
relating to kidnapping, false imprisonment, luring or enticing a child, and custody offenses;
sexual battery;
lewdness and indecent exposure;
child abuse;
robbery;
robbery by sudden snatching;
carjacking; and
home-invasion robbery

A student may also be referred to for mental health services if deemed necessary by the threat assessment team. The State of Florida Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 1965 requires the School District to link juvenile violent incidents to the action taken by the student’s school and the District. The District is required to collect data about violent incidents involving students during each school year and transmit a report to the state. Certain infractions in the Code of Student Conduct may result in criminal penalties as well as administrative corrective strategies.

SEVERE CLAUSE VIOLATION

Severe Clause Violation In a severe clause violation of the Student Code of Conduct or any other school policies and procedures, the parent/guardian will pick up the student. Any infraction within the Severe Clause will result in further administrative action. Severe violations include, but are not limited to: fighting, profanity, stealing, defiance of school personnel, assault upon a staff member, continuous disruptive behavior, any posting of videos or pictures pertaining to Mater Academy’s students or faculty, as well as possession and/or use of drugs, tobacco, electronic cigarettes (vapes), alcohol, and weapons.

• If you are experiencing a personal crisis, contact one of the following agencies for assistance. These resources provide crisis counseling and referral 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (Call or Text) Crisis Text: 741741 Jewish Community Services-Escambia (Call or Text 4357)