Loveland Classical School

1. Loveland Classical School • School Property Lines The area around the school doesn’t have any definition between the school properties other property. Having signs to define this area can help with trespassing issues as well as enforcing after hours trespassing.

2. Loveland Classical School Parking To help control vehicles from access to areas of the school, consider lockable gates. Some areas for consideration may be the area around the auto shop, house construction and the loading dock. Clearly marked drop off / pick up zones assist in the orderly flow of traffic. Clearly marked Fire lanes allow for emergency equipment to have efficient access to the building and for enforcement . A locked bicycle area that is viewable from windows of occupied offices or monitored security cameras is preferable for security. Bicycle area was not set up.

3. Loveland Classical School Doors exterior Lighting exterior If there are any after school events that go into the night time hours, it is better to have the parking lot well lit for safety. To have adequate security lighting around the building, all entry areas and sides of the building should be lighted from dusk to dawn. This would help with the detection of persons at an entry or by the building. Doors that are unlocked have to be manually relocked and only administration personnel have the key. This leaves the potential for doors being left unlocked and allowing unauthorized access. Staff having access and knowing how to function the manual override for the lighting will assist with after hour event safety. Parking lot lighting turns off automatically at 9 PM.

4. Loveland Classical School Windows exterior Because some of the exterior doors have crash bars on the inside, one could break the glass on or by the door to access the school. Consider replacing the glass with shatterproof glass or security bars over the existing glass Security / Safety Signs on all exterior doors directing people to the main entrance to sign in can assist in preventing and enforcing trespassing and enhance security throughout the building. The sign on the right is an example of the simplicity of some signs in the Thompson School District.

5. Loveland Classical School Security / Safety Cont. Bollards prevent unauthorized parking near the building. They protect the building and walkways from intentional or unintentional vehicular traffic. Bollards can be posts or decorative displays (planters, statues, etc) as long as they are strong. Suggested bollard locations By locking the dumpsters and dumpster access areas you help with theft issues and limit unlawful dumping. It also prevents the use of dumpsters with wheels to gain access to upper levels of school.

6. Loveland Classical School Security & Alarm System Having a written policy for writing down or sharing alarm codes would allow for notification to employees. It would also make enforcement easier and keep school more secure from problem former employees or other people with unlawful intentions. Reviewing the policy annually keeps the correct people with codes and account for staff turnover. Doors By having lockable gates inside the school you could lock off the classroom portion of the school and still allow after hours use of the auditorium and visa versa. This would deter unauthorized roaming around the school during events. By having the ability to lock a door from the inside would not expose a person trying to lock the door from the hallway during a lockdown. By locking all classroom doors when not in use would limit a person movement throughout the school especially if that person is there to do wrong.

7. Loveland Classical School Making windows tamper proof assists in preventing unintended damage as well as unauthorized entry into the school. The safety glass that is currently in place prevents large pieces of glass when it breaks. It does not deter entry. Would recommend a wire mesh type glass on lower floor windows. See photos for some examples. There are many types that you can see through as well.

8. Loveland Classical School Security / Safety Interior School Entry Procedures There are signs on interior classroom doors advising folks to check in. There are none on exterior doors. This would help to direct people to the main entrance in order to check them and have them check in. Bags and other property left unattended could simply be lost or left by someone intending harm. Searching the bags or having professionals search suspicious items would enhance safety and possibly identify owner. A written policy would help with consistent action with these items. Key Access / Control Badges are stored on hooks by the front desk. Someone could come in and grab one if there was not someone at the desk. Putting them behind the desk out of site would be advised. Written policies generally help with consistency. In the case of lost or stolen keys clear direction on what to do will give staff and the school the ability to change locks before the school can be accessed by unauthorized people. Empowering, encouraging, and rewarding staff and volunteers to contact people without badges discourages unwanted people from wandering around the building and entering anywhere but main entrance.

9. Loveland Classical School COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES / SAFETY TOOLS Two way communications is extremely important in a crisis situation. This should be issued to, at a minimum , all Administrators, crisis team members, custodial , and other key staff. Attached is a copy of a bomb threat checklist to follow when this type of incident occurs. Seek training for people who answer phones TSD might be a resource in that regard. Letting students know how and when to use phone in classroom will allow critical communication in case a teacher is unable for any reason.

10. Loveland Classical School Movement within school Building Having staff were ID’s allows ready identification of staff members to students, parents, and new staff. It also helps emergency services personnel unfamiliar with staff. Student ID cards assist with identification of students both on campus and off. This prevents non students from roaming hallways. Contractors are unfamiliar to staff and can be in areas not typically accessed by anyone other than custodial staff. Mandating ID and restricting access to only certain areas they are working on keeps them away from students and staff as there are no checks performed on them prior to their work at your school

11. Loveland Classical School Utilities Control See Photos next slide I observed locking devices on some of the utility connections. Others were accessible to the public and not locked. There was minimal fencing around utility connections. This allows access to anyone who wishes to disrupt the services provided. Having a backup generator allows power to the building in the case of normal power outage or intentional disruption. The generator should automatically start when power is out allowing for the building to have power even during an over night power outage. This prevents damage and illegal entry. The generator should be regularly tested.

12. Electric access panel with no locks and accessible to public Utility boxes that are not fenced nor locked allow anyone to shut off power or other utilities. This could cause property damage or allow access to school during confusion.

13. Loveland Classical School Safety Devices Student Behavior There are several examples in the Thompson school District and other districts of successful student led staff mentored programs . They allow students to learn how to do this and gives students by in from talking to peers. Having a supply of emergency equipment available ,and regularly checked , allows for staff to be more efficient in safe evacuation. Allows personal to know where key equipment is located when a crisis arises. Assigning the tasks to specific individuals whether equipment or task related helps avoid confusion during critical times of stress. School Attendance Control With the restrictions of FERPA reference the release of records it is imperative the school has a written policy. This will assist with liability and possible law suits. School policy prohibits children from being picked up by anyone other than parents. There is not written policy requesting identification for individuals who do come to pick up a child but are not known to staff. There may be a substitute working at school that is not familiar with the parents. This would assist with correct identification. Possible making a copy of ID for future reference.

14. Loveland Classical School Security Pers. & Law Enforcement All violations of law do not need to be reported to police. Keep the Mandatory Reporter criteria in mind when issues arise (see District Attorneys office or Thompson School District). Also notifying law enforcement of crimes can keep officers aware of issues and assist you with law enforcement involvement which does not always mean enforcement. There is no current agreement between Loveland Classical School and LE. The possibility of LE personnel, specifically School Resource Officers (SRO), would be advantageous. Contact Loveland PD for requirements. Due to this fact consider paying for LE to be at events with large crowds or were there is a potential for conflict even if not related directly to the school. Even though parents are notified prior to the start of school, notifying and educating students can help to deter issues before they arise.

15. Loveland Classical School Empowering your staff increases your eyes and ears around the building during the day and other times. Having a written policy that includes the Watchdog program assists with litigation and makes administrative intent clear. Your crisis plan is started however completing and training staff and students is imperative to the successful use during a crisis. Having a yearly written task assignment list that is reviewed yearly assists with staff knowing their responsibilities during a crisis. Typically the school will be interacting with multiple agencies during a crisis and it will be confusing. This will alleviate some of the initial conflict . Completing drills for different crisis situation will assist in training both staff and students. In essence this is a daily chain of command. It allows teachers to make decisions, and when they are not sure what to do, a clear path as to what to do. Much like the peer conflict resolution program, this allows staff to be trained on how to recognize and deal with situation. Having trained staff assists with liability and law suits. A written policy on training and conflict resolution would also be of assistance.

16. In conclusion This survey and report are in no way designed to force compliance with any of the suggestions in it. It is merely to assist you on a path to creating a safer school environment. Loveland Classical School is a relatively new school yet you have taken many steps to increase your security and keep your students and staff safe. Specifically you have a video camera system throughout the school that is impressive. You have the Watchdog program. This program allows parents to volunteer for a day and uses them in a roving security fashion. This program is unique in the Thompson School District and again impressive. The crisis plan and implementation is in ongoing development. The completion and implementation of training for both staff and students is imperative. There are areas of improvement and current development that the survey has brought to light. If there is anyway I can be of assistance please contact me at : Officer Gary Patzer #97 Loveland Police Department 970-962-2052 ext 1097 patzeg@ci.loveland.co.us