The safety of our students, staff, and visitors is our number one priority. We conduct evaluations and walk-throughs of our buildings to ensure our plans, procedures, and infrastructure are up-to-date and effective. We will continue to make improvements as necessary to maintain our security.

School Safety Officers

Our School Safety Officers (SSOs) are a consistent, reassuring presence in all of our buildings. Their priority is to make sure all of our buildings are secure and our students, staff and visitors are

safe. Our SSOs also serve as trusted adults for our young people to share concerns.

Each HPS school building has:

A minimum of two SSOs present at all times
Substitute SSOs to fill in when extra support is needed

All SSOs are certified in Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Training

HPS staff receive a variety of training courses each year, catered to their roles and responsibilities. Additionally, staff have access to the entire library of training courses. Supervisors and SSOs completed mandated safety training on topics including but not limited to:

Health Emergencies
Sexual Harassment
Child Abuse and Neglect
Safe Schools

Additionally, HPS uniformed safety personnel complete Crisis Prevention Intervention, which teaches decision making skills to match the level of response to the risk of the crisis. Select supervisors receive Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate (ALICE) training. Starting in the Fall of 2022, SSOs and Supervisors will receive Stop the Bleed training to learn the application of tourniquets in case of an active trauma event. More than a dozen staff members will receive Trauma Bleeding Kits.

Drills

The State of Connecticut requires schools to conduct a series of Emergency Response Drills, such as fire drills and crisis response drills. HPS is in compliance with the state submission requirements. Any questions concerning the Hartford Public Schools compliance can be directed to the Region 3 Coordinator William Turley at william.turley@ct.gov.

It is the policy of Hartford Public Schools that during each school year, a Fire Drill shall be held in each school not later than thirty days after the first day of each school year and at least once each month thereafter. A Crisis Response Drill will be substituted for a Fire Drill once every three months. Schools are required to notify families in advance of a Crisis Response Drill. Types of Crisis Response Drills include:

Lockdown: students, staff, and visitors must immediately enter the nearest classroom or secured space. Teachers and staff will lock the classroom or office doors, turn off the lights, move people away from the doors and window, and stay silent. Classroom instruction will not continue during the lockdown. No students or staff will be allowed to enter the hallway or move about the room until the lockdown is lifted.
Lock-in/Secure School: Anyone outside of the school will move inside the school immediately or to the school’s primary evacuation site. All exterior doors and first floor windows will be locked. Students will be kept away from the windows and hallway traffic will be limited to essential business. Inside activities and teaching can continue.
Shelter in Place: This is used for weather or the discovery of hazardous materials. In the event of a weather-related emergency, staff will direct students to take appropriate action depending on the situation. This could mean moving to a safer location within the building or staying away from windows and doors. If hazardous materials are discovered, students could be evacuated or asked to shelter in place.
Evacuation: Students and staff will report to the predetermined evacuation area for that classroom or area.

Students at Hartford Public Schools do not participate in active shooter drills.

Security Measures

Each year, HPS submits an Emergency Response Manual to the State of Connecticut. This manual includes the overall district safety plan. Additionally, each of our school buildings maintain a “red book” which is the school-level version of the District’s overall safety plan.

To maintain the security of our buildings, HPS conducts unannounced safety screenings to check for prohibited items. The safety screening protocol could include:

No-touch wanding
Visual bag inspection
Select use of Canines when appropriate and as to not disrupt the school day

All buildings have recently updated access control systems, intrusion alarms, and video surveillance systems, with approximately 1,500 cameras. HPS also has strict safety protocols for visitors. All K-12 schools utilize the Raptor School Safety Suite System, which allows schools to screen visitors, track volunteers, and report on drills. All visitors are required to check in with an SSO upon entering the building. SSOs use the Raptor to check government-issued identification against registered sex offender lists using a simple, one-click process.

Wellness Measures:

students about bullying, being a good friend, and reaching out to students who show signs of isolation and loneliness. The training also teaches students and staff how to identify red flags and warning signs that could potentially lead to violence.

The social and emotional wellness of our students is an important factor when considering the safety and security of our schools. HPS has partnered with Sandy Hook Promise to teach younger

Students in 4th through 12th grade utilize the Sandy Hook Promise Say Something Anonymous Reporting System. Students can report threats or concerns to a trusted adult or the Anonymous Reporting System which connects to the National Crisis Center 24/7.

Our School Social Workers, School Counselors, and community-based clinicians also offer support and resources to students who indicate violent tendencies or thoughts. Additionally, these staff members are trained to help students cope in the wake of violence and tragedies.

Safety Resources

Safety and Security Plans and Drills

Code of Conduct

Say Something Anonymous Reporting System: 1-844-5-SAYNOW

DCF Careline: 1-800-842-2288

Emergency Mobile Crisis Service: 2-1-1

Connections to Resources: 2-1-1

Wheeler Clinic HelpLine: 1-860-747-3434

Domestic Violence Interval House 24 Hour Crisis Line: 1-860-527-0550 or (En Español) 1-844-831-9200

Sexual Abuse Crisis Service: 1-860-547-1022 (Hartford) or (En Español, Todo el Estado) 1-888-568-8332

Greater Hartford Legal Aid: 1-860-541-5000

LGBTQ+ Safety Resources

Mandated Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect