In today’s environment, it is extremely important that students have assurance that they are safe at school and during school-sponsored activities. Parents and teachers need to feel that every precaution is being exercised to insure their safety. Because of this, the parish has developed procedures to help minimize opportunities for security to be compromised. However, the procedures are only effective if everyone is committed to them, even if the restrictions seem inconvenient.
The outside doors to the school are locked during school hours. Security cameras have been installed at the school’s main entrance and are monitored from within the building. Before entering, a person must be “buzzed” in by a secretary or a member of the administration. Visitors are required to sign in at the school or parish office before entering the building. They receive a visitor’s sticker, which indicates that they are authorized to be on the premises for a specific purpose. This helps monitor who is in the building. Persons without such identification will be suspect and reported to the school or parish office.
The faculty, staff, and students are instructed not to open doors to visitors. It is important that parents respect these instructions and do not try to enter the buildings from the playground or other areas without authorization, particularly at dismissal times. It is also important for parents to reinforce the value of safety procedures to their children, siblings, grandparents, etc., who may have occasion to be at the school.
All school volunteers must be on record as having completed fingerprinting and viewing of the Orientation to the Decree on Child Protection as required by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Additionally, all students, faculty, and administration wear identification tags during school hours.
A thorough background check is required for all those employed or volunteering to work with youth or vulnerable adults as a cleric, at a parish or school, as an Archdiocesan employee or at an Archdiocesan institution.
All volunteers and employees are required to complete the electronic/online background check through SELECTION.com prior to beginning their volunteer activity or employment. In addition to the electronic/online background check, employees are required to complete manual fingerprinting and submit a B4 form before beginning their employment at an Archdiocesan parish, school, or institution.
All staff and volunteers are also required to complete training with SafeParish.
Working in cooperation with the local fire and police departments, a crisis plan has been developed which outlines the procedures to be followed in the event that there is a natural disaster or an emergency situation at school. Should it become necessary to activate the plan, lock down or evacuate the school, or transport students to another location, school personnel and families are required to follow the directives of emergency personnel.
In the event of an emergency, the school utilizes a web-based “blast” messaging system of communication, which rapidly notifies parents via home phone, cell phone, e-mail, and text messaging regarding the nature of the emergency and provides pertinent information about the safety and location of the students. Reminders can also be sent out to specific groups.
All visitors will be issued a visitor tag. However, when a parent needs to pick-up a child during school hours, the child is called down to the office. Parents are welcome to eat lunch with their child but must limit the frequency to once each month.
In 2014, we significantly upgraded our security procedures and installed several cameras in and around the school/church property. In 2018, we added additional security equipment to bolster our school's security. The cameras are constantly recorded in a secure location and monitored by the office throughout the day.
