Safety Protocols

Julie Billiart Schools Safety and Security Protocols 

This page was last updated August 5, 2022. 

The safety of our staff and students is our highest priority.

Visitor Policy

• No visitors, including parents, family members, or tours, will be permitted access to our campuses at any time during school hours without first checking in and providing ID.
• No visitors will be permitted access without a scheduled appointment. If you will be holding an appointment with any visitor, please ensure that the appointment is on your shared JB calendar. Our administrative assistants will not buzz in any visitor unless a calendar appointment exists.
• No food or item deliveries will be permitted access into the building. Packages will be dropped off within the locked vestibule.

Physical Safety

• Each campus will have two locked doors to create a secure vestibule. Both doors will use buzzer access for students and approved visitors.
• All external doors are closed and locked throughout the day and at the end of each day. Windows will be closed and locked at the end of the day and as much as possible during the school day.
• All classroom teachers and therapists receive training and a checklist for new safety procedures - including locking windows and doors at the end of each day. Staff should never prop open external doors - even to leave the building for a moment. Anyone who sees a propped door should close it. 

Faculty and Staff

• JBS Threat Assessments (2022)  indicated that the best system is a well-trained staff that can ensure that safety protocols are followed every day. We provide safety training to our faculty and staff, particularly our Administrative Assistants and those working closely with visitors, to ensure that we’re keeping our classrooms and students as safe as possible. Continued conversation about safety protocols and measures are discussed throughout the year in faculty meetings and addressed network-wide as appropriate.
• All faculty and staff will wear their JB lanyards and keycards as well as their staff photo ID throughout the day. Photo IDs are provided to staff following school picture day. If staff loses a keycard at any time, they must let their Principal know immediately so that we can deprogram it and assign a new card.
• All Principals are in regular communication with local Police Departments to encourage increased presence in and around our schools.

Weapons Policy

• The schools recognize that a safe, secure school atmosphere is a fundamental tenet to providing an educational environment conducive to learning.  Therefore, weapons are prohibited. This policy includes, but is not limited to, any firearm, knife, deadly weapon, explosive, incendiary device, or any toy or "look-alike" weapon.  As defined by state law, a deadly weapon is "any instrument, device, or thing capable of inflicting death, and designed or specifically adapted for use as a weapon, or possessed, carried or used as a weapon." 
• Ohio Rev. Code 2923.11(A).  Firearms include any loaded or unloaded gun of any caliber or type.  This prohibition also includes any pistol, rifle or other device that uses air or gas propelled projectiles.  Possession of hunting weapons is also a violation of this policy.  No student may have possession of a weapon on school grounds, during or immediately before or after school hours; on school grounds at any other time when the school is being used by a group; off school grounds or while at a place or location for the purpose of or related to attendance at a school-sponsored activity, function or event; on a school bus or conveyance; or at any other time when a student is subject to the authority of the school.   Violations of this policy are subject to the Code of Behavior and may warrant notification of the police, immediate suspension, dismissal, or expulsion.
• A search for a weapon may be conducted in a manner consistent with the policy set forth in the Search Policy.

Threats Policy 

• It is the responsibility of the administration, teachers, and staff to ensure the safety of all in the school or on school grounds or while participating in a school-sponsored activity.  Any threat of harm to any person either in writing, verbal, or physical will be dealt with immediately and appropriately.
• Such action may include:  notification of parents, suspension, dismissal, expulsion, notification of local law enforcement officials, psychological/psychiatric evaluation, counseling, or other actions deemed necessary.