Safety Resources

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.

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!

Event Safety

•  Clear Bag Requirement
  • Approved bags include:
    • Clear Tote Bag (Plastic, Vinyl or PVC): Do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”
    • Plastic Storage Bag: Clear, one (1) gallon resealable 
    • Small Clutch Purse: Approximately the size of a hand with or without a handle or strap. No larger than 4.5” x 6.5” with or without a hand or strap. Can be carried separately or within an approved plastic bag.
  • Bags not allowed include: purses, bags or containers larger than a small clutch, backpacks, binoculars cases, briefcases, camera bags, cinch bags, coolers, diaper bags, fanny packs, grocery/trash bags, luggage of any kind, mesh bags, tinted plastic bags.
• Student Supervision: All students 8th grade or younger are required to attend games with parents or guardians.
• Tickets: Admission will be charged throughout the duration of games.
• Metal Detectors: The district has implemented metal detectors to screen all spectators at Chapin High School, Dutch Fork High School and Irmo High School International School for the Arts.

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.
 

What We Do to Ensure Event Safety

Approved Clear Tote Bags

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

See Something, Say Something

STOPit App

Emergency Reunification Guidelines
(Download Other Languages)

Parents Guide to Emergency Communications

Our Role: The primary goal of School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties during an emergency is the safety and security of our staff and students. 

STANDARD RESPONSE PROTOCOL 

During an emergency, shared vocabulary for students, staff and first responders is also essential. That is why we use the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), developed by the "I Love U Guys" Foundation. 

• Hold - In Your Room or Area 

When a school is under a hold, students and staff are to clear the hallways and remain in room or area until the "All Clear" is announced. Learning continues as normal. 

• Secure - Secure the Perimeter 

When a school is in secure status, the danger is considered to be outside of the building. School personnel ensure all perimeter doors are locked and bring any students involved in outside activities indoors. Learning and other activities continue as normal. 

• Lockdown - Locks, Lights, Out of Sight 

During a lockdown, the danger may be inside the building. Learning community and individual classroom doors are secured, lights are turned off and students are kept quiet and in place. 

• Evacuate - Follow the Directions 

During an evacuation, students are moved away from possible danger in a quick, orderly process. 

• Shelter - Follow the Directions 

When a school is sheltering in place, students and staff take actions to protect themselves from a potential danger (tornado, hazardous material, wildland fire). 
 

Your Role: The natural instinct for parents or guardians is to come to the school during an emergency to protect their children. However, by doing so, they may endanger themselves and their children. Law enforcement and school personnel are busy responding to the situation. Your arrival or calls may distract them. Please help by following the steps below. 

What should families do: 

• Stay Home - The most important contribution you can make to your student and your own safety may be staying away from the school. 
• Stay Informed - Information will be shared with families as soon as possible. Please know, in some situations, accurate information may take some time to verify and share. 
• Be Ready - Be prepared to follow instructions from the district. 

 

Reunification: 

Certain types of emergencies may require faculty, staff, and students to evacuate a campus. In these cases, the district's reunification plan will be implemented. Students and staff will be transported by school bus to a safe facility away from the emergency. Parents/guardians will be notified as soon as practical and asked to report to the reunification site. A parent/guardian reporting to a reunification site must have his/her driver's license or government-issued photo ID available to show district staff The individual picking up the student must also be listed in the student's file as someone authorized to pick up the student from school.

 

A Parent's Guide to Emergency Communications

Pursuant to State Law, persons must be approved to enter the school by the principal (via check-in process) before entering the school.

ALL VISITORS MUST HAVE A:

STATE ISSUED DRIVER'S LICENSE, STATE ISSUED ID, or US MILITARY ID to check-in and receive a visitor badge. If you do not have a valid ID, please report to the front desk.

ALL VISITORS MUST WEAR A VISITOR BADGE AT ALL TIMES.

• Please report any person in the school who does not have a district, school or visitor badge.
• Please report any suspicious behavior to the front office or School Resource Officer.
• Persons entering school property are deemed to have consented to a search of their persons and property (Act 373 of 1994).
• Weapons are prohibited in a school, except for law enforcement (SC Code 16-23-430).