Student Handbook - Security Measures
Crisis Prevention/De-escalation/Physical Restraint
It is the policy of the Worcester Public Schools to comply with state law and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (“DESE”) physical restraint regulations, 603 CMR 46.00 et seq. ("Regulations").
Physical restraint shall be considered an emergency procedure of last resort and shall be used only when a student’s behavior poses a threat of assault, or imminent, serious, physical harm to self or others and the student is not responsive to verbal directives or other lawful and less intrusive behavior interventions, or such interventions are deemed to be inappropriate under the circumstances.
Mechanical restraints, medication restraints and seclusion are prohibited in all public education programs. Prone restraint is prohibited in the Worcester Public Schools.
The Regulations apply not only at school but also at school-sponsored events and activities, whether taking place on school property or in the community.
The regulations can be found on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.
Security Cameras in Schools
The Worcester Public Schools works to maintain a safe and secure environment for all students, staff, and visitors. Safety and security involves physical hardware and equipment as well as procedures to use in case of an emergency. All hardware, equipment, and procedures have as their goal the prevention, mitigation, protection, response, and recovery from any emergency situation.
Physical safety measures include the deployment of video surveillance cameras at schools and sites.
School facilities and their contents constitute one of the greatest investments of the community. The School Committee believes it to be in the best interest of students and taxpayers for the district to exert every reasonable means to protect the investment adequately.
In pursuit of this objective, the School Committee authorizes the deployment and use of security/video cameras within school district buildings, on school property, and video cameras with audio capability on both the exterior and interior of school buses to ensure the health, welfare and safety of all students, staff, and visitors; to deter theft, vandalism, and other negative behavior; to safeguard district buildings, grounds, and equipment; and to monitor unauthorized individuals in or on school property. Security cameras may be used in locations as deemed appropriate by the Superintendent of Schools in consultation with school officials as well as local law enforcement and emergency response agencies. They may be used in any area, inside or outside of school buildings, and on the inside and outside of school buses where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.
The district shall notify students and staff through student and employee handbooks and appropriate signage that security cameras have been installed and may be used at any time. Students or staff identified on security cameras in violation of School Committee policies will be subject to disciplinary action.
The Superintendent shall ensure that proper procedures are in place and are followed regarding use, viewing, disclosure, retention, disposal and security of video recordings or photographs from security cameras in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. A video recording used for security purposes in school district buildings and/or on school property shall be the sole property of the school district. All video recordings will be stored in their original format and secured to avoid tampering and to ensure confidentiality in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Access to video recordings from security cameras shall be limited to school administrators (Superintendent/designee, School Principal/designee). Law enforcement and emergency response officials shall be granted access to video recordings or the security system after giving prior notice to the Superintendent/designee.
The Superintendent may, from time to time, issue further guidance that is consistent with current laws and this policy.
Emergency Plans
Advance planning for emergencies and disasters is essential to provide for the safety of students and staff; it also strengthens the morale of all concerned to know that plans exist and that students and staff have been trained in carrying out the plans.
The Superintendent shall review annually the safety plan with local police and fire officials. Building principals will meet all requirements for conducting fire drills and emergency response drills to give students practice in moving with orderly dispatch to designated areas under emergency conditions, and the staff practice in carrying out their assigned responsibilities for building evacuation.
Student Lockers
All lockers available to students are the property of the Worcester Public Schools. Use of lockers by students is regulated by the school administration and all lockers are subject to inspection by the school administration when deemed appropriate.
Students may be assigned a locker to use a school issued lock. The administration will remove all non-school issued locks. If a locker is not used/ assigned, the administration will secure it with a lock.
Students may carry backpacks or store book bags, gym bags, and outerwear in their lockers during the school day.
For security reasons, students will not be permitted to wear outerwear (coats and jackets) during the school day. Students will be permitted to carry backpacks made of a mesh or transparent material at the secondary level.
Any weapon, drugs or other prohibited items or substances found in a locker in violation of school policy may be considered to be the property of the student assigned to the locker for purposes of disciplinary action under this code.
Access to Students During School Hours
The following persons may be granted access to students during school hours:
The custodial caregiver (the caregiver with physical custody more than 50% of the time) or guardian or personnel or agency legally authorized to act on behalf of the child in place of or in conjunction with the caregiver. According to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, §34H, the noncustodial caregiver must submit a written request to the school principal for such access. For further information, contact your child's principal.
A student, age 14, or upon entering grade 9, may consent to meet with an individual.
Certain individuals, including school personnel, police, and employees of certain state agencies may be granted access to students in the performance of their official duties. This information can be viewed on the Worcester Public Schools website.
If any court ordered restrictions exist regarding access to your child, it is imperative that you provide the WPS a copy of the order so that we can comply with the order of the court.
Visitors in the Schools
All Worcester Public Schools are posted with signs requiring that all visitors must report to the Office of the Principal. This ensures that the school administration knows who is visiting in the building, the reason for the visit, and if the timing of the visit is appropriate. The following sign-in procedures will be adhered to upon entering a school building:
Enter through the front door (some schools have Intercom Systems that will allow you to enter after ringing a bell and identifying yourself)
Go immediately to the front office
Please sign in at the register
Affix a Visitor’s Tag on a visible area of your attire
Wait for further instructions from the school clerk or administrator on how to proceed to the respective visiting area or classroom Any other entry into a school building by visitors will be considered trespassing. Intruders into the building are immediately asked to leave, and if they refuse to do so, local law enforcement officials are contacted for assistance. Trespassing laws will be enforced in accordance with this policy.
Use of Motor Vehicles
Students are extended the privilege of bringing automobiles to school as long as they respect the safety of others and obey these basic rules:
Automobiles must be parked in the assigned student parking areas.
Students who leave the campus in motor vehicles during the school hours without following established dismissal procedures will be suspended.
Idling of a motor vehicle engine in excess of 5 minutes is prohibited on school property. Violators will be fined.
Students must drive slowly and carefully on or near school grounds, always remembering that pedestrians have the right of way.
Cars may not be visited during the school day except with principal’s approval
Parking privileges will be revoked or suspended for the following reasons:
Speed in excess of 15 m.p.h.
Any act endangering life or property while on school grounds.
Parking in areas other than student parking areas.
Parking privileges will not be available without an appropriate school registration and parking permit.