- Hanover Public School District considers the safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff paramount. We strive to create a learning environment that protects the health and safety of ALL of our students and employees. The following information details some of the District-wide safety and security measures in place to help safeguard our school community.
- During a school or district Lockdown, students and staff will NOT be allowed to leave the school premises and no individuals will be allowed into the school with the exception of law enforcement until the school has been deemed safe and the lockdown lifted. In the event of a "non-drill" lockdown, parents and guardians will be notified as quickly as possible, via our website, phone call, and/or email, providing information available at the time of the lockdown.
- INTEGRATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
- HPSD has signed memorandums with both Hanover Borough Police Department and Penn Township Police Departments. Hanover Borough Police Department performs regular walk-throughs of each school building.
- Armed District School Safety Officer (SSO) on-site, daily.
- The District has video surveillance in each school building and on school campuses.
- All doors and entrances are locked throughout the day. Each building has a designated single point of entry during school hours.
- Visitors must be cleared prior to entry. The District uses a double-buzz entry system that allows for increased visibility of visitors and an extra level of security prior to granting visitors entry to the building.
- All visitors are registered at the main office of the school building.
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- STUDENT AWARENESS AND PREPAREDNESS
- The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for the state of Pennsylvania is instituting a new “tip” line for student reporting, which is mandatory for all school districts. HPSD has designated team members appointed to manage this tip line in conjunction with the OAG and local and state police.
Safe2Say
- HPSD has initiated a “See Something, Hear Something, Say Something” campaign that encourages students to report suspicious and/or potentially threatening situations to school officials or local law enforcement immediately.
- All HPSD buildings offer instruction and reporting systems to identify and report bullying and cyberbullying behavior. Policies are in place to ensure that all reported bullying concerns are addressed and resolved. In collaboration with the Susan P. Byrnes Center, Hanover Middle School offers bullying prevention instruction to all students in grades 5-8.
- All HPSD buildings maintain a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program, designed to address student social-emotional health, character building, and anti-bullying.
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- MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
- The District provides mental health assistance to students and families with a wide range of service providers.
- On-site mental and behavioral health staff are employed by HPSD that include a school psychologist and school counselors in every school.
- The District regularly participates in the Pennsylvania Youth Survey to assess student perceptions of safety and risky behavior within school and the community.
- HPSD schools have programs implemented to provide students with a safe and supportive learning environment including the Student Assistance Program (SAP) and peer mentoring initiatives.
- HPSD has a strong and ongoing partnership with both Hanover Borough Police.
- HPSD participates in the York County Safety Council and the Safe School Association of York County.
- TrueNorth Wellness Services provides school-based therapy on-site.
- HPSD Threat Assessment Team meets quarterly throughout the school year and convenes to respond to any threats against the school and/or student body
- Threat Assessment Team members receive annual training
- The District Administration regularly reviews the Emergency Response Plan with building administrators, who in turn review the plan with their faculty & staff annually.
- HPSD adheres to the safety criteria outlined in the Pennsylvania Act 44 of 2018, including the designation of a Security and Safety Coordinator.
- HPSD meets annually with Hanover Borough Police to review and update safety and security procedures for HPSD.
- Community members, parents, staff, and students are an important part of creating a positive and safe environment in our schools. If you see, hear, or read something unsettling, please report it immediately to a school official and/or the police. We will continue to investigate any reported tips and remain vigilant in our efforts to maintain school safety.
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- The District greatly appreciates your continued support in creating a safe learning environment for our students.