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Safety and Security

Safety and Security

Ensuring a Safe and Secure Learning Environment

Educational Service Center
14015 62nd Ave NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
P: (253) 530-1000

For more information about emergencies and schedule changes, please refer to the following list of communication choices. 

DIRECT COMMUNICATION 

  • The district will send direct communication to families via emails, texts, and/or app notifications through ParentSquare as appropriate. 

WEBSITES 

PSD SOCIAL MEDIA 

  • Facebook: psd401 
  • Instagram: @PSD401 

PHONE 

  • District Office: 253-530-1000 

Our top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community. We are committed to creating a secure learning environment where everyone feels safe.

Safe and Drug-Free Schools

We maintain a safe, drug-free environment through proactive programs, policies, and partnerships with local law enforcement.

Safety Measures

  • Visitor Management: Strict protocols for visitor check-ins and campus access including secured entrances with badge-only access.
  • Surveillance: Comprehensive surveillance systems across school facilities.
  • Emergency Drills: Regularly scheduled drills for various emergency scenarios.
  • Communication: Timely notifications and updates through multiple channels to keep parents, staff, and students informed.

Student Support Services

  • Counseling: Mental health and counseling services to support student well-being.
  • Bullying Prevention: Programs and resources to prevent and address bullying.

Additional Resources

  • Anonymous Reporting: Tools for students and parents to report safety concerns confidentially.
  • Safety Tips: Practical tips and guidelines for staying safe at school and in the community.

Follow these tips in an emergency:

  • DO NOT call your child. Phones are not permitted at school or during emergency situations due to safety. 
  • DO NOT rush to your child's school. 
  • DO check your email, voicemail, and PSD website and social media. 
  • DO only rely on communication from school, district, or public safety officials. 
  • DO watch for information regarding reunification with your child. 

Report a Concern

Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or your tip is in regards to a life-threatening emergency.

Report bullying or safety concerns online with HearMeWA. Reports can be submitted anonymously.

To make a verbal or written report of harassment, intimidation or bullying, contact a school administration or any staff member.                                      

The logo for Hear Me WA, featuring the words 'Hear' and 'MeWA' in a stylized font.

If you or a friend are experiencing stress, anxiety, violent threats, sexual abuse—or anything that makes life hard—HearMeWA can help. Get secure, free support any time from professionals who are ready to listen. Call us or send a tip now.

You can also follow up on a tip.

There are many ways to report on HearMeWA: 

Emergency Information and Procedures

  • Schools engage in emergency drills at least once a month during the school year to ensure students and staff are prepared for emergency situations.

  • Full Lockdown Modified Lockdown
    • A full lockdown is a method of securing the campus when there is an emergency or event in the immediate area where the school campus may be at risk.
    • During a full lockdown, students and staff will remain in classrooms behind locked doors,staying quiet and out of sight. 
    • Windows and blinds will be closed, and lights will be turned off.
    • During a full lockdown, there will be restricted access from both inside and outside of the building and classrooms. 
    • During a modified lockdown, students and staff will remain inside a school or district facility. 
    • Daily activities will usually continue; however, there is restricted access both into and out of the building(s). 
    • Exterior windows and blinds will be closed and exterior doors will be locked.

     

  • Students take refuge in designated areas to protect themselves from hazardous material or severe weather.

  • Evacuation will occure int he event of a safety hazard at a school or building. Staff and students will leave the building following a predetermined route and congregate in a predetermined area. Attendance will be taken to ensure that all staff and students have safely exited the building. 

    In a reverse evacuation, students and staff are brought inside the building for protection from an outside threat.

  • PSD students drill annually to drop, cover under a desk or a table, hold, and stay clear of windows during an earthquake. 

    Students and staff will only evacuate if instructed to do so. 

  • Students drill at least three times a year on fire evacuations. In the event of a fire, students and staff will follow evacuation route procedures. Students and staff will only re-enter the building if declared safe by fire service personnel. 

    If a school is closed after a fire evacuation, families will be notified and students will be transported to another safe location.

  • A threat assessment is used as a method of assessing the type and level of a threat of a student or to a student. 

    The threat assessment process includes;

    • gathering information;
    • screening;
    • an in-depth assessment; and
    • notification to administration and the parent/guardian(s).

  • Reunification sites are used when a school evacuation is necessary, and it is unsafe to return. Students will be transported to these sites, and parents should go directly there, not to the school. Notifications will be sent using the contact information on file.

    What to Expect:

    • Bring Photo ID: Required for student pick-up.
    • Regulated Process: Ensures safety and security.
    • Authorized Contacts Only: Students released only to those listed as emergency contacts.
    • Be Patient: The process may take several hours, but reuniting families is our top priority, and we will work efficiently.

Emergency Transportation

Emergency Bus Routes

Buses may need to adjust where they pick up and drop off students to ensure travel happens only on roads designated as safe in the snow. These are called emergency routes. Please click below for a list of Emergency Bus Routes. Routes are listed by school below (in alphabetical order) and open as a PDF in route order number.  Emergency Bus Routes for the 2024-2025 school year coming soon!

  • Artondale Elementary
  • Discovery Elementary
  • Evergreen Elementary
  • Gig Harbor High School
  • Goodman Middle School
  • Harbor Heights Elementary
  • Harbor Ridge Middle School
  • Key Peninsula Middle School
  • Kopachuck Middle School
  • Minter Creek Elementary
  • Peninsula High School
  • Pioneer Elementary
  • Purdy Elementary
  • Swift Water Elementary
  • Vaughn Elementary 
  • Voyager Elementary

Before winter weather starts, be sure to :

  • Review emergency bus routes with your student.
  • Always be 15 minutes early for pickups. 
  • Remember not to block bus loading/unloading zones.
  • Know that school delays due to inclement weather do not automatically mean emergency routes will be used.
  • Check local TV and radio stations and this website for delays. 

Inclement Weather and School Closures

Outlined below are the Peninsula School District’s procedures and expectations during inclement weather and school closures. Below you will find guidelines to make this process easier for you and also to help you understand how weather decisions are made.

Delay or Closure Decisions:

  • Safety is the priority when modifying the school day.
  • Decisions are based on various weather sources, consultations with the Transportation Department, and neighboring districts.
  • Efforts are made to decide by 8:00 pm the prior day, though this is not always possible.
  • Options include a normal schedule, late start, or full closure.

Late Start Benefits:

  • Allows monitoring of changing conditions.
  • Ensures daylight for safer travel.
  • Provides additional time for staff to arrive and adjust snow routes.

Communication:

  • Notifications via ParentSquare (phone, text, email), PSD website, and local TV/radio stations.
  • Immediate updates through these methods.

Weather conditions may vary within the district, sometimes necessitating closures or delays affecting the entire district. Thank you for your understanding.