Cleveland School Safety Protocol Reminders
Safety Is Not a Single Measure.
"What are you doing to keep our students safe?"
It's a fair question, and one we take very seriously.
The truth is that school safety is not a single program, a single lock, or a single person. Safety is built through layers of prevention, preparation, communication, and continuous vigilance. Every day, our team works to create schools where students can focus on learning while families can feel confident that multiple systems are working together to protect them.
A Common Language for Emergencies
This year, our district continues to utilize the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation. The protocol provides a simple, standardized response to a wide variety of emergency situations and uses five clear actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. Students and staff practice and train on these procedures so everyone understands what is expected should an emergency occur.
A brief overview:
- Hold: Students remain in their classrooms while hallways are cleared.
- Secure: Students and staff move indoors and exterior doors are locked when there is a concern outside the building.
- Lockdown: Used only when there is a threat inside or immediately near the building. Students and staff follow the "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight" protocol.
- Evacuate: Students and staff move to a designated safe location.
- Shelter: Used for hazards such as severe weather or environmental concerns.
We encourage families to review the parent handout below to better understand these procedures and how they support student safety.
Safety Happens Every Day
While emergency preparedness is important, much of our safety work occurs long before an emergency ever happens.
Across our district, we have invested in multiple layers of security designed to prevent problems, monitor our campuses, and respond quickly when needed.
These measures include:
Full-Time School Resource Officer
Having a dedicated School Resource Officer on campus provides an immediate law enforcement presence and strengthens relationships between students, staff, and emergency responders. Our SRO works proactively throughout the school day, maintaining visibility, building connections, and assisting with safety planning and response.
Controlled Building Access
One of the most effective school security measures is controlling who enters our buildings.
To accomplish this:
- Schools maintain only one unlocked public access point during the school day.
- Visitors pass through a double-secured entry system before gaining access to student areas.
- Individuals requesting entry are first screened through an exterior camera and intercom system.
- Office staff verify visitor identity and determine the purpose of the visit before granting access.
These procedures help ensure that we know who is entering our schools and why they are there.
100% of classroom doors have automatic locking features anytime door is closed – it is locked.
Comprehensive Security Camera Coverage
Our campuses are monitored through extensive camera systems that provide visibility across school grounds and inside school facilities. These systems serve as both a deterrent and an investigative tool, helping administrators and law enforcement quickly review information when concerns arise.
Vape and Noise Detection Technology
We have implemented specialized detection systems in key areas of our schools designed to alert staff to potential vaping activity and unusual noise events. These technologies provide another layer of awareness and allow for quicker intervention when student safety may be at risk.
School safety is strongest when schools, families, students, and first responders work together.
Our staff regularly trains on emergency procedures. We coordinate with law enforcement and emergency management partners. We review practices, evaluate systems, and look for opportunities to improve. Most importantly, we strive to create environments where students feel safe, known, and supported every day.
While no organization can eliminate every possible risk, we can commit to continuous improvement and a proactive approach to safety.
Thank you for trusting us with your children. Nothing is more important than their well-being, and we remain committed to making safety a daily priority in every building, every classroom, and every decision we make.
Please take a few moments to review the Standard Response Protocol parent guide embedded below. Understanding these procedures helps us work together to keep our students safe.