We prioritize student safety and security at Tipp City Schools, with extensive safety measures throughout our district. Our administrative team and principals work diligently to ensure the district-wide emergency plan is current and that staff members are prepared to respond to various school emergencies. Here are just some of the daily security measures throughout our schools to keep staff and students safe:

• Visitor Registry:  All visitors must use intercoms to request entry and register with the front office before accessing the building.

• Identification Badges:  Substitute teachers and staff members prominently display district ID badges at school.

• Security Cameras:  Cameras monitor activity inside and outside the school.

• Controlled Access:  All exterior building doors are locked, and cameras monitor critical entries.

• Emergency Radios:  Each school is equipped with 2-way emergency radios to receive updates on emergencies and to assist with emergency communication if necessary.

• PC Duress:  Computers across our schools have specialized software installed that directly notifies 911 and emergency responders of an emergency at the push of a button. This greatly reduces any communication delay in activating emergency personnel response.

• School Resource Officers:  Tipp City Schools partners with the Tipp City Police Department to ensure student and staff safety and well-being. We have two full-time School Resource Officers, one at Tippecanoe High School and one at Tippecanoe Middle School. Both officers and their colleagues visit the other schools regularly, conduct security assessments, assist with developing crisis management plans, and are readily available for emergencies. Their presence ensures security, fosters positive relationships with students, and builds a partnership that helps create a supportive, safe environment for our students and staff.

• Nightlock Door Barricade Devices: These devices are on all interior doors throughout the district.

• 3M Window Film:  Exterior doors throughout the district are covered with 3M Window Film. This film helps to delay forced entry through glass doors, which gives staff extra time to implement necessary safety protocols.

Preparation for emergencies is also a top priority for the district staff. Here are some of our steps to be prepared for emergencies as they may arise:

• Safety Drills:  The district conducts fire, tornado, and safety drills to prepare staff and students for emergencies. Training includes taking shelter in safe areas for severe weather, "hold-in-place" for a dangerous situation away from the campus, evacuation, and lockdown. The district may issue a hold-in-place for a dangerous situation away from the school property that could impact students and staff. This means routine within the school is maintained; however, doors are secured, people are not allowed to enter or leave the facility, and no outside activities are permitted. All safety drills are conducted and coordinated with the Tipp City Police Department.

• Staff Training: Our staff has received Active Shooter Training. ALICE training teaches them how to respond to an active shooter situation. Staff are taught to flee the building with their students if they know the shooter is not near their location or to lock down and barricade if the shooter is near them or the location is unknown.

• Crisis Communications Plan:  The district has a system to inform key administrators and support staff of an emergency. In turn, parents and other stakeholders can be notified. The goal is to quickly and accurately communicate essential information to first responders, staff, parents, and community members so that safety is maintained throughout an event.