LION'S MINUTE EPISODE: SCHOOL SAFETY

  • SCHOOL ID BADGES REQUIRED:

    ALL students, staff, approved guests, and substitutes will be required to wear a school-issued ID each day when on school property.  Anyone without an ID will not be permitted inside our schools.  

    FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL PROCEDURE:

    Middle and high school students will receive a temporary ID on the first day of school in homeroom. Permanent IDs will be provided following school picture days, which will occur later in the fall.

    Elementary students will be mailed a name tag in their “Welcome Back to School” informational mailing in late August. Students will then receive their permanent ID tag that will be connected to their book bag on the first day of school. Please leave this tag connected to your child’s bookbag for the entire year, as it will assist in the dismissal process each day.

    ALL students will be required to wear their IDs starting on day 1 of school, September, 8th. This visual identifier will help school staff quickly know who has been approved to be inside our schools as well as on our school property. Bus drivers will also require these IDs to properly identify students on their bus.

    Lanyard

  • WEAPONS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN SCHOOL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

    What does the school consider a weapon?

    Regulation 8467:

    A.        Definitions

    “Weapon” includes:

    1.         Firearms, which include but are not limited to, any handgun, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, automatic or semi-automatic rifle, or any gun, device, or instrument in the nature of a weapon from which may be fired or ejected any solid projectile ball, slug, pellet, missile, or bullet, or any gas, vapor or other noxious thing, by means of a cartridge or shell or by the action of an explosive or the igniting of flammable or explosive substances.  It also includes any firearm that is in the nature of an air gun, spring gun or pistol or other weapon of a similar nature in which the propelling force is a spring, elastic band, carbon dioxide, compressed or other gas or vapor, air or compressed air, or is ignited by compressed air, and ejecting a bullet or missile smaller than three-eighths of an inch in diameter, with sufficient force to injure a person.  Firearms for the purposes of this regulation means those items enumerated in N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1f and 18 U.S.C. 921.

    2.         Components that can be readily assembled into a weapon.

    3.         Gravity knives, which means any knife that has a blade that is released from the handle or sheath thereof by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal force.

    4.         Switchblade knives, which means any knife or similar device that has a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife.

    5.         Daggers, dirks, pen knives, box cutters, stilettos, and other dangerous knives.

    6.         Ballistic knives, which means any device capable of lethal use that can propel a knife blade.

    7.         Billies, blackjacks, bludgeons, metal knuckles, sandclubs, slingshots, cesti or similar leather bands studded with metal filings or razor blades imbedded in wood.

    8.         Stun guns, which means any weapon or other device that emits an electrical charge or current intended to temporarily or permanently disable a person.

    9.         Any device that projects, releases, or emits tear gas or any other substance intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or permanent injury through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air.

    10.       Imitation firearms, which means an object or device reasonably capable of being mistaken for a firearm.

  • WHY ARE HOODIES AND HATS NOT PERMITTED TO BE WORN IN SCHOOL?

    Although fashionable, items covering one's head - such as hoodies and hats - have the potential to obscure part of a person’s face and identity. It is for this reason the Lindenwold School District will request our students and guests not to wear hoodies or hats on their heads during the school day. Covering one's face makes it more difficult to identify an individual in an emergency situation.

    In addition, it is the school's responsibility to ensure our students are safe: socially, emotionally and physically, while on our school property.  Hoodies and hats provide an additional means to conceal unsafe and unwanted items.  It is best to avoid this specific fashion trend during the school day to enhance school district safety procedures for all.

    Note: There may be designated spirit days when head coverings may be permitted to be worn on one's head.  If a Principal's approved spirit day guidance includes head wear, this information will be communicated to our staff and student body.

     

     

    Hoodie

     

  • FOOD DELIVERIES MAY NOT TAKE PLACE ON SCHOOL PROPERTY:

    Students may not have food delivered to school property without the direct permission of the parent(s)/guardian(s) AND administration.  Any food delivery by: a restaurant, Door Dash, Uber Eats, Grub Hub, etc. will be denied entry and turned away between the hours of 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

     

    Policy 8505: "The Board of Education will permit food in the school that is not sold to students to be brought into school by parents, students, or staff members for classroom activities, parties, or snacks, or other food provided to students as an incentive.  Any occasion where food is brought into the school for such purposes must be approved by the Principal or designee, who will ensure safeguards are in place to protect students who may have a food or related allergy."

    Policy 9150: "Visitors shall be required to register their presence in the school.  No staff member shall transact business with or permit the continuing presence in the school of a visitor who has not been duly registered....No visitor may confer with a student in school without the approval of the Principal; any such conference may take place only in the presence of a teaching staff member and/or administrator."

    No Food Delivery

Communication Etiquette

  • We need everyone to commit to raising the bar when engaging with one another (home and school). Intentionally focusing on and modeling positive communication strategies (verbally and in writing), even in times of challenge, is essential when engaging with our youth. Role models include all the adults throughout our schools and community. It is imperative we all join together in raising the expectations of how we interact with one another: in person, online/social media, on email, and over the phone.

    Reminders:

    1. Often, miscommunication leads to disagreements.  Try to assume the best of intentions at the start of every interaction; however, remember, it is always best to pick up the telephone or meet in person to resolve school conflicts.

    2. It is important to acknowledge there may be times when it is best to take a "break" in a conversation and resume when emotions are less high.

    3. In the event a parent or community member has concerns regarding their interactions with children (who are not their own) or with other adults (including staff), please contact your building administration to report your concern. You can also use the anonymous "STOP IT" website/app to share the concern, too. Please do not take it upon yourself to confront another child (who is not your own) or another parent on school property.

    4. The school is unable to bring families together to resolve their community issues. These issues need to be resolved without school intervention. However, please be aware that unresolved community issues that continue in the schools, may result in student disciplinary consequences and Code of Conduct enforcement.

    5. Violence and threats in the community or on school property are never the answer. Modeling how to resolve conflicts peacefully is the best way to teach our children to resolve issues. Children make mistakes when they are young; that is to be expected. Making those same mistakes when they are older can have serious consequences.

    6. Parents must use the identified school entrance and exit doors as identified by building administration. Entering an unauthorized door may be perceived as a safety threat to our students and staff population.

    7. If you are experiencing a concerning community issue, please contact our Lindenwold Police Department if intervention is needed. If you wish to file a complaint regarding a student-to-student issue, you may also file a complaint with the Lindenwold Police Department. Each school has a police officer on-site and you may reach out to him/her.  Please contact the school and the main office will connect you to one of our officers. The school district will investigate, address, and handle all issues reported to us within the confines of our Code of Conduct and the parameters of NJ State Law.

    Common Communication Etiquette:

    1. Profanity may not be used in any public-school building or  on any part of our campus. Profanity will not be permitted by anyone - staff, students or community adults. This includes communications over email, over the telephone, inside our buildings, or during interpersonal communications.

    2. District staff have been instructed to terminate any student or adult engagement where aggressive language, profanity, or threatening language is used. In these situations, the school will "take a break" from this communication, and adults / students are encouraged to resume the discussion once their emotions are less high.

    3. Direct, implied, or inferred threats against another individual will not be tolerated by anyone - students or adults. All threatening language will be reported to the Lindenwold Police Department.

    4. Adults may not come onto school property to speak to any child other than their own child. Any attempt to enter our property for the sole purpose of engaging with a child who is not your own will be considered to be endangerment of a child and a safety issue.

    5. The school may only speak with the legal custodian or a child's guardian. Personal guests of a parent are only welcome as a courtesy; however, guests not invited to engage in conversations about another person's child without expressed written consent.

    It is important that all staff, students, and community members remember they are welcomed guests on school property. Individuals who are perceived as a threat or safety risk to our staff or students will no longer be welcome on our property.