For years, we have partnered together with local law enforcement to ensure that our schools are safe. No child should have to go to school in fear, and every parent should have a reasonable expectation that his or her child is safe.

We work closely with local law enforcement and other professionals to develop procedures and policies to prevent and mitigate such events, to the best that is humanly possible. 

We think it is important to remind parents and students about our policies to ensure a safe learning environment:

1. During the school day, all doors are locked and at the front entrance, visitors use an intercom system to communicate with front office staff before being allowed or “buzzed” inside.

2. All visitors entering the school must show identification that allows us to know who is in the building at all times.

3. All schools regularly practice lockdown drills; these processes will be implemented in response to any threatening event in or near a school, including an active shooter.

4. HCS has created a committee that includes school administrators and law enforcement representatives. The committee reviews safety concerns and identifies opportunities to enhance the safety and security of our schools. The committee has initiated intense active shooter training opportunities for staff.

5. Security cameras are on school campuses and school buses.

6. School Resource Officers are assigned to HCHS, Central Academy, and North and South Middle Schools.

7. Mental health specialists have been hired for the school district.

8. We provide trauma informed care professional development opportunities for staff.

9. HCS implemented the STOP Tipline for online reporting of concerns about threats of violence, bullying or any issue involving the safety of students, such as drugs, self-harm, sexual abuse or any high-risk behavior. Concerns may be reported anonymously by clicking the STOP logo that appears on all HCS websites. Information is communicated immediately to district administrators trained in appropriate responses.
   We work diligently to maintain positive relationships with our students so that they feel safe in reporting concerns to a trusted adult. We take these concerns seriously and immediately investigate anytime issues like these are brought to our attention.

10. Public Social Media posts are monitored through Social Sentinel, a security company that has access to over one billion posts daily.