The goal of West Warwick Public Schools is to provide a safe and secure environment for our pupils, staff and visitors.
The school department will take such steps as are necessary to establish procedures which may ensure, to the greatest extent possible, the safety of students, staff and visitors.
The school department will follow local, state and federal laws and codes in order to ensure the security of the physical assets of the school district. This includes all buildings, grounds, equipment and supplies owned or procured by the West Warwick Public Schools.
Revision Date:
2/14/2019
Fire Safety Drills
It shall be the duty of the principal in charge of every public school in West Warwick to instruct and train the pupils by means of drills, so that they may in a sudden emergency be able to leave the school building in the shortest possible time and without confusion or panic. There shall be fifteen (15) such drills that include fire, lockdown, and evacuation drills.
At least one drill shall be conducted each month, and at least one out of every four must be obstructed drills. As part of the required 15 emergency drills, each school must conduct two evacuation drills and two lockdown drills. One lockdown drill shall occur in September and one in January.
Neglect by any principals in charge of any public school to comply with the provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor under the General Laws of Rhode Island and be punishable by a fine of not exceeding fifty dollars ($500.).
Written reports, on forms supplied by the department of elementary and secondary education, of each fire drill shall be completed immediately upon termination of every drill.
References:
RI Gen. Laws § 16-21-4 Fire drills required Failure to comply.
RI Gen. Laws § 16-21-5 Uniform fire code or drill tactics Reports.
Revision Date:
2/14/2019
Communications in Emergencies
Absent extraordinary circumstances, within one hour after an incident of an emergency nature, the building principal shall notify the superintendent’s office. For the purpose of this policy, an emergency is one in which fire, police, or rescue assistance is required. Within 24 hours of the incident, the principal shall provide the superintendent with a written report.
Revision Date:
2/14/2019
Latex Allergies
The West Warwick School Committee recognizes that latex allergies can be severe and afflict many individuals and therefore requires the West Warwick Public Schools to be latex-free and will comply with all local, state and federal laws relating to latex safety.
References:
R.I. General Laws § 23-73-2 (b) Latex Glove Safety Act
R.I. General Law § 23-73-1- Latex Glove Safety Act Findings
Revision Date:
2/14/2019
Pesticide Control
Pests
It is the policy of West Warwick Public Schools (hereinafter referred to as district) to control pests in the school environment. Pests such as cockroaches, fleas, fire ants, stinging wasps, termites, and rodents are annoying and can disrupt the learning environment in schools. Additionally, pests are known to bite, sting, or transmit diseases, and may also cause allergic responses.
Pest Management
It is the policy of the district to reduce exposure to pesticides in the school environment. When pesticides are used to control pests in schools, there is potential for human exposure. Excessive exposure may result in pesticide poisoning or allergic responses in sensitive individuals. Children may be more susceptible to pesticides than adults due to their smaller size and rapid growth and development. Their playful behavior may expose them to more pesticide residues.
The district is committed to controlling pests in the school environment in order to:
Reduce any potential human health hazard to protect against a significant threat to public safety.
Prevent loss or damage to school resources, structures or property.
Prevent pests from spreading in the community, or to plant and animal populations beyond the school site.
Enhance the quality of life for students, staff, and others.
The level of pest control and the method of pest management to be considered are as follows:
Non-Chemical prevention of pest populations using methods such as sanitation, exclusion, and cultural methods. (e.g. getting food out of the classroom, moving breakfast programs to the cafeteria)
Application of pesticides only "as needed" to correct verified problems.
Selecting the least hazardous methods and materials effective for control of targeted pests.
Precision targeting of pesticides to areas not in contact with or accessible to the children, faculty and staff.
Limiting the need for pesticide applications and reducing the exposures of children to pesticide residues is best accomplished through Integrated Pest Management. The success of IPM in schools is dependent upon:
Full cooperation of administrators, faculty, maintenance/custodial staff, parents and students.
Coordination of the IPM program and maintenance of pest management records by the Director of Property Services.
School Improvement Team Committee being informed of the pest problem, the actions taken to date and the current need for pesticide applications.
Incorporation of pesticide storage, use, disposal and practices into the existing chemical hygiene plan by the Director of Property Services.
Oversight of all pesticide applications to ensure adherence with the school’s pest management policies by the Director of Property Services.
IMPLEMENTATION OF A DISTRICT AND SCHOOL POLICY
IPM procedures will determine when to control pests, and whether to use physical, cultural or biological means, noting that chemical controls should be used as a last resort. IPM practitioners should depend on current, comprehensive information on the pest and its environment and the best available pest control methods. Consideration of IPM principles should prevent unacceptable levels of pest activity and damage. These principles should be based upon the most economical means and with the least possible hazard to people, property and the environment.
Review Date:
2/14/2019
Security Measures
School building exteriors doors will be locked during school times.
All visitors will be able to ring a buzzer and the assigned staff will allow entry to the
building.
All visitors will report to the office to state their business in the school.
All visitors will be assigned a visitor pass if entering the building beyond the office.
All personnel that travel from school building to school will sign in and out of each
building. The exception to this will be the maintenance staff.
All personnel will wear an identification badge whenever they are on school grounds.
All classroom doors in the district are to be locked at all times.
All hallway doors that lock are to be locked at all times. These doors will close during
any emergencies and they must close and lock.
School Keys
All school related keys will be the responsibility of the principal or his/her designee.
All keys will be distributed by the principal or his/her designee.
At the end of each school year, all keys are to be returned to the principal or his/her designee. The only exception to this will be staff using the school buildings during the summer months.
All keys will be made and stamped with identification by the Property Services Department.
Principals will maintain a log of assigned keys.
No keys are to be duplicated by staff or principals.
Video Surveillance
Video surveillance provides a tool for monitoring activity on school department's property to
further protect the health, welfare and safety of students, staff, and visitors. Video surveillance
is a valuable deterrent to inappropriate behavior and is a significant factor in protecting school
department assets. This system shall not replace the need for the ongoing vigilance of school
supervision/security staff. School administrators shall ensure that due diligence is observed in
maintaining general school security. Utilization of video surveillance is not guaranteed to
Capture all incidents that might occur.
A. Camera Location, Operation and Control
Placement of cameras is restricted to public areas.
Areas chosen for surveillance shall be where surveillance is a necessary and
viable deterrent.
Cameras will not monitor areas where people have a reasonable expectation of
privacy (e.g. change rooms and restrooms).
Surveillance cameras are to be used to deter incidents of theft, violence,
vandalism or other breaches of security.
Only authorized personnel shall have access to the monitor operation controls.
The video camera surveillance system will be in operation virtually 365 days a
year and 24 hours per day. However, at the school department's discretion,
video camera surveillance may be suspended without notice.
B. Protection of information and Disclosure
1. Security and Retention of Recordings
Only those authorized by the Superintendent/designee, Principal/designee, Director of Safety and Loss Control, or Director of Transportation shall have access to the recordings.
Video monitoring of buildings or areas for security purposes shall be retained for three (3) calendar days and then disposed of. Copies of video monitoring preserved as evidence for student hearings or court cases will be made part of the student's education record.
Copies of recordings of incidents subject to investigations, court cases or due process hearings must be retained until resolved.
2. Video Monitors
The video monitors shall be in a controlled access area or a privacy screen should be utilized as needed to block public view of the video monitor.
Only an administrator, authorized staff members, or police officers shall have access to the video monitors while they are in operation.
C. Use of Information Collected
Video surveillance may be used for inquiries and proceedings related to law enforcement, student and employee hearings as required by law. Video used as evidence for law enforcement purposes may not be altered.
Videotape/film of students may be considered part of a student's educational record and therefore, viewing of a videotape must adhere to regulations of the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
In certain circumstances, a video can be shown to unauthorized persons if the school department receives consent from the adult student or parents/guardians of the other minor students visible in the videotape.
A copy of a video recording may be released to appropriate authorities. Prior to release of a recording, a Video Surveillance Release Form shall be completed to document who took the recording, when this occurred and whether the recording will be returned or destroyed by the authorities after use.
A videotape of athletic events, concerts and plays does not hold the same confidentiality because they are public events and therefore can be shown. At the School Division's discretion, recordings of students that do not involve disciplinary or other confidential information,i.e., hallways, playgrounds, parking lots, etc., may be released without consent of the parties shown on the recording.
For protocol in an emergency,refer to the Critical Incident Plan for each school. They are
available to authorized personnel assigned by the Superintendent or designee.
Date Adopted: July 11, 2017
Review Date:
2/14/2019
Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Policy
WWPS will house and maintain working AED units for use in emergencies. AED devices will be located in all school buildings and portable devices will be available at all athletic events. Use and maintenance procedures will be documented with the coordinator.
Revision Date:
2/14/2019