St. Lawrence Central School District earns 'School Safety Excellence Award'
May 21—BRASHER — The St. Lawrence Central School District's safety practices have earned them a "School Safety Excellence Award" at the Titanium with Honors level from Utica National Insurance Group, the district's insurance provider.
Utica National's School Safety Excellence Award Program has three levels — titanium, platinum and gold — in which schools can earn a meritorious distinction by meeting specific criteria to enhance overall safety.
The honor is presented annually and recognizes school districts' safety efforts as they work to help keep students, staff and visitors safe. "We reached the top level, what international calls their Titanium Level Safety Excellence Award," Superintendent Christopher W. Rose said.
He said a survey contains 22 categories that districts must address. Categories covered include bullying prevention programs, playground safety and other areas, and are measured using specific, quantifiable surveys.
"You have to go through and answer a ton of questions on their standards. They all equal a certain amount of points. They come and check on some of them. Then, it puts you in one of three categories, and we've been in the top safety excellence category for the past six years," Rose said.
District officials accepted a certificate at Utica National's 42nd school safety seminar to commemorate its safety efforts. They also received a $500 check for use as reimbursement for and/or in connection with the school safety program.
"They give you a little bit of pocket money that we use for something that's needed safety-wise in the district," Rose said. "They take this pretty seriously. It's not just one of those we want to give out awards to look good. They do their homework and make sure that we're meeting the standards. If we don't, they let us know what pieces we can get better at so we can improve for the following year."
Brian Saville, senior vice president in Utica National's Educational Institutions Unit, said the safety program is a chance to pinpoint specific threats to safety.
"The time to address those threats is before a loss happens, which really helps contribute to the safety culture that districts are working toward," he said in a statement.
Rose said safety is always at the forefront in the district.
"Really, our number one responsibility in my opinion for school districts now, even before academics, is parents want to know that their kids are safe when they're here, and our second goal is to educate them. It just has to happen," he said.
As part of that safety effort, Rose said that among the work done in the district was to make ground-level windows tinted so individuals standing outside could not see in, but individuals in the building could see out.
In addition, he said they have a new security system that alerts them with an alarm when doors are left ajar during the school day.
"So, we're doing all we can hopefully to keep the place as safe as we can and make parents feel good while their kids are here," Rose said.
"Safety and health concerns continue to be a priority in our school districts. Districts that go 'above and beyond' to provide a safe, healthy and focused culture for learning are to be applauded, and we're pleased to count Brasher Falls Central School District among them," Saville said.
