School Safety Center: On August 21, 2019, Governor Mike DeWine signed Executive Order 2019-21D creating the Ohio School Safety Center within Ohio Homeland Security. The Center is responsible for assisting local schools and law enforcement with preventing, preparing for, and responding to threats and acts of violence, including self-harm, through a holistic, solutions-based approach to improving school safety.

The mission of the Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC) is to support all Ohio schools and first responders in preventing, preparing for, and responding to threats and acts of violence, including self-harm, through a holistic, solutions-based approach to improving school safety. Using a cross-disciplinary approach, the OSSC will provide resources to schools to enhance their strategies for safety, security, and emergency plan development.

Available at https://ohioschoolsafetycenter.ohio.gov/

Ohio Homeland Security: This agency provides a variety of school resources guides related to school safety. Available at http://homelandsecurity.ohio.gov/index.stm

Ohio Attorney General: This office provides a variety of resources to help schools be compliant with school safety requirements. Available at http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/SchoolSafety

Lockdown - A lockdown takes place if an internal or external threat is identified at the school. All school doors are locked and students are confined to classrooms. No entry into or exit from the school will be allowed until an “all-clear” announcement is made.

Shelter in Place - Students take refuge in designated areas to protect from hazardous materials or severe weather. No entry into or exit from the school will be allowed until an “all-clear” announcement is made.

Evacuation - In the event of certain building emergencies, students will be relocated to an evacuation assembly area. Students will be released ONLY to parents/guardians with permission from a district official. This is necessary to account for the whereabouts of all students.

Reverse Evacuation - Students are evacuated from the outside of building to the interior in the event of an outside threat. No entry to or exit from the school will be allowed until an all-clear announcement is made.

Reunification - Parents/guardians will be directed by school or public safety officials via TV/radio to their child’s specific location. Students will be released ONLY to parents/guardians who are documented as emergency contacts and who present a picture ID such as a driver’s license, military ID or passport. The reunification process can be time consuming, so parents are urged to be patient.