Safety Resources
Student Safety Video
- School Safety
- What We Do to Ensure Event Safety
- Approved Clear Tote Bags
- Anti-Bullying
- See Something, Say Something
- Parent Safety Guidelines
- A Parent's Guide to Emergency Communications
School Safety
School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties is committed to the safety of its students and staff. Through proactive measures and coordination with local law enforcement, the district aims to prevent or minimize the effects of emergencies or serious violent incidents and to facilitate seamless coordination with police in the event of emergencies in our schools.
Many parts of the district’s plan are confidential to protect the integrity of school safety plans. However, we wanted to share a few measures that demonstrate the high priority we place on the safety of our schools. Our keys to school safety include:
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Through the leadership of our school board and our partnership with local law enforcement, School District Five has at least one full-time School Resource Officer in each school. Our Superintendent’s Emergency Responders Advisory group meets with district leaders to provide information and input regarding school safety.
DRILLS
School District Five conducts more than 360 drills with schools each year. These drills help ensure students and staff are prepared to quickly make their way to safety in the event of an emergency.
SAFETY OFFICERS
In addition to SROs, School District Five has full-time Safety Officers who work with law enforcement on confidential school-level safety plans. They also lead ongoing drills and training for students and staff.
COMMUNICATIONS
The district works with law enforcement to communicate pertinent information when appropriate. School messages are coordinated through the district, and updates are provided as information becomes available.
TRAINING
The district’s Safety Officers provide training for school staff and conduct several drills with students and staff, including drills for shelter-in-place, fire and lockout situations.
It takes an entire community to keep our schools safe. Please visit our website at www.lexrich5.org/safety for more information. Though we can’t share specific information about our emergency plans or safety measures, the information here will help prepare parents in the event of an emergency.
The Department of Homeland Security also has information about awareness. Visit the following link for information on the agency’s “If You See Something, Say Something” materials: https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something#
If you have specific concerns or questions about a school or suggestions for improvement, please reach out to your school principal or the district’s Office of Planning and Administration at 476-8121.
RESOURCES
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
- The Department of Homeland Security also has information about awareness. Visit the following link for information on the agency’s “If You See Something, Say Something” materials.
- SC DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
- The South Carolina Department of Education has information about Anti-Bullying, Health & Safety and more!
- SCHOOL DISTRICT FIVE
- If you have specific concerns or questions about a school or suggestions for improvement, please reach out to your school principal or the district’s Office of Planning and Administration at 476-8121.
What We Do to Ensure Event Safety
Lexington-Richland School District Five is committed to the safety of everyone who attends our district events. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the steps we take to ensure event safety for students, staff, and the community. Thank you for your cooperation. We will see you at the game!
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Student Supervision: All students 8th grade or younger are required to attend games with parents or guardians.
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Tickets: Admission will be charged throughout the duration of games.
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Metal Detectors: The district has implemented metal detectors to screen all spectators, beginning with varsity football games at Chapin High School, Dutch Fork High School and Irmo High School International School for the Arts.
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Safety Officials: We partner with law enforcement and event staff to ensure spectator safety for the duration of the event. School Resource Officers also will travel with teams at away games.
Approved Clear Tote Bags
Anti-Bullying
School District Five policy JICFAA prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying of a student by students, staff and third parties which interfere with or disrupt student's ability to learn and the school's responsibility to educate its students in a safe and orderly environment, whether such acts occur in a classroom, on school premises, on a school bus or other school-related vehicle, at an official school bus stop, at a school-sponsored activity or event whether or not it is held on school premises, or at another program or function where the school is responsible for the student.
RESOURCES:
- SC Department of Education: Bullying
- U.S. Resource: stopbullying.gov