School Safety Resources in ASD

Dear Abington School District Community,

In Abington Schools we believe in fostering positive and safe school environments where our students’ wellbeing–physical, social, emotional, mental, and environmental–takes top priority. 

News of the tragic and senseless school shooting that occurred this week in Michigan was difficult to digest, and was a reminder of the importance of having support from all individuals of our school community in this effort to create and maintain safe schools. 

I would like to remind you of three resources that can help aid members of our community in this coordinated and comprehensive approach to improve the overall safety and wellbeing of our students and educators: 

• Act 18 of 2019 required all school entities in Pennsylvania to have at least one Threat Assessment Team in place. The teams are responsible for “the assessment of, and intervention with, students whose behavior may indicate a threat to the safety of the student, other students, school employees, school facilities, the community or others.” Abington School District has embraced the threat assessment team concept and had already implemented crisis teams at each school, whose purpose is to identify potential risks and prevent targeted acts of violence. If you need to report a student who may pose a threat to themselves or others, you should contact the school principal or one of the following members of the District Threat Assessment Team: Dr. James Melchor, Assistant Superintendent (215-881-2508); Mr. Steve Hochwind, School Police Officer, (215-881-2554); or Dr. Robert Rosenthal, Supervisor of Student Services (215-881-2552). 
• In January 2019, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania instituted the “Safe2Say Something” (S2SS) anonymous reporting system for individuals who may be a risk to themselves or others. Any member of the school community–including students, teachers, parents/guardians, etc.–can make a report anonymously via the app, online at Safe2SayPA.org, or by calling 1-844-SAF2SAY (1-844-723-2729).
• The National Association of School Psychologists has a resource, Talking to Students about Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers that may assist you as you discuss violence with your student(s).

These resources, along with other safety-related information, are sent to families at the beginning of each school year via Skyward, and are available year-round through our Student Services Department webpage, specifically, the School Safety section. Parents/guardians who are in need of additional resources or support should contact the Student Services Department at 215-881-2505 or studentservices@abington.k12.pa.us.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey S. Fecher, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools