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Overview
Overview
Ridgefield Public Schools is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for all students, staff, and visitors. Our safety and security efforts are proactive and multi-layered, combining trained security personnel, strong partnerships with local law enforcement, modern technology, and comprehensive emergency protocols. We regularly review and enhance our procedures, conduct staff training and student drills, and prioritize communication and preparedness to ensure a swift and effective response to any situation. The safety and well-being of our school community remains our top priority.
Visiting Our Schools
Visiting Our Schools
We are always pleased to welcome visitors to our schools for events and special programs.
All schools have a secure vestibule at the main entrance. This area allows school staff to screen visitors before allowing them to pick up students or enter the school building. The vestibule remains locked until electronically or physically released by staff, stopping unauthorized individuals from gaining access to the interior of the school.
If you wish to meet with educators or administrators, entry is by appointment only. Please schedule a meeting in advance with the school's main office.
For the safety of our students and staff, all visitors are required to present a government-issued photo ID upon arrival. IDs will be screened, and a visitor badge will be issued at the school’s welcome desk, which must be worn at all times while in the building.
School Resource Officers
School Resource Officers
Ridgefield Public Schools is fortunate to have dedicated School Resource Officers (SROs) from the Ridgefield Police Department serving in our schools every day. These officers bring a unique skill set—providing safety and protection while also building strong, trusting relationships with our students. Their presence fosters a secure learning environment and helps connect our schools with the broader Ridgefield community. We are truly grateful for this partnership with the Town of Ridgefield.
MOU Agreement with RPD for Video Surveillance
24/7/365 access to a caring Trusted Adult. Our accredited National Crisis Center is staffed with highly trained Crisis Counselors.
Students comfortable reaching out. The embedded Say Something program has been proven to increase students’ awareness of warning signs and their willingness to report mental distress and potential threats.
Parent's Role in an Emergency
The natural instinct for parents or guardians is to come to the school during an emergency to protect their children. However, by doing so, they may endanger themselves and their children. Law enforcement and school district staff are busy responding to the situation. Your arrival or calls may distract them from their work. Please help by following the steps below.
Stay Home
The most important thing you can do in order to keep your student and yourself safe is to stay away from the school unless directed to come and pick up your student by the school district.
In the event of an actual emergency, law enforcement would establish a perimeter around the affected school, not allowing anyone into the area, including parents.
Stay Informed
Information is shared with families as soon as possible. Do not rely on social media for information during a school emergency; parents will be informed as soon as accurate information is available.
During an emergency, families are contacted through the District's notification system.
Log in to your PowerSchool account to confirm that your contact information is updated and correct.
Parents are able to edit contact info in the PowerSchool Parent Portal under the Demographic Change Tab.
Be Ready
Be prepared to receive and follow instructions from Ridgefield Public Schools.
Be sure to bring your photo ID if picking up your student(s).
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
STANDARD RESPONSE PROTOCOLS
Ridgefield Public Schools utilizes the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation in collaboration with our local First Responders.
The Standard Response Protocol is based not on individual scenarios but on the response to any given situation.
STANDARD REUNIFICATION METHOD
The Standard Reunification Method (SRM) provides school and district safety teams with proven methods for planning, practicing and achieving a successful reunification.
A predetermined, practiced reunification method ensures the reunification process will not further complicate an already challenging scene.
For more information regarding Student/Parent Reunification in the event of an emergency, please see parent communication linked HERE.
RPS FOLLOWS NATIONAL
RPS FOLLOWS NATIONAL
BEST PRACTICES IN SAFETY STRATEGIES
BEST PRACTICES IN SAFETY STRATEGIES
TYPES OF DRILLS
TYPES OF DRILLS
Fire Drills - Monthly
Crisis Drills - Every 3 months
RPS Model for School Safety Officer
RPS Model for School Safety Officer
RPS has attracted retired law enforcement officers with extensive backgrounds from both CT and New York to serve as School Safety Officers (SSO). SSOs are stationed at each school daily.
Our team of SSOs reflect diversity in both culture and experience. Their collective of experience includes but is not limited to:
Major crime scene investigations
Executive Protection
School Resource Officers
Community policing
Positive Feedback from the Ridgefield Community
School Staff
Parents
Ridgefield Community
Ridgefield Emergency Services
SSO Feedback
Child Access Prevention & Safe Storage
Child Access Prevention & Safe Storage
As of October 1, 2023, Connecticut has a new safe storage law. Connecticut prohibits any person from storing or keeping a firearm on their premises under their control, unless the firearm is securely locked in a box or other container in a location which a reasonable person would believe to be secure, or the person carries the firearm on their person or within such close proximity that they can readily retrieve and use it as if it were on their body.If a person violates this safe storage requirement and, as a result, a firearm is used to cause injury or death to themselves or another, the person is criminally liable.2 If, as a result of the violation, a person under the age of 18, or a resident who is ineligible to possess firearms or who poses a risk of imminent personal injury to themselves or others, obtains a firearm and uses it to cause injury or death, the person will also be strictly liable for damages in a civil lawsuit. Additionally, Connecticut specifically penalizes any parent or guardian of a minor child who fails to make a reasonable effort to remove a firearm from a minor who they know possesses a firearm and is ineligible to do so.
For more information click the link :
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