SAFETY + SECURITY
UPDATE
SUMMER 2023
A
Dear Parents,
We recognize that safety extends beyond physical well-being and includes emotional health, especially during these challenging times. Therefore, we are committed to creating an environment that avoids the restrictive feel of lockdown while providing robust protection against physical threats.
A key concept in our safety and security endeavor is understanding the difference between 'I am safe' - a mere affirmation of physical security, and 'I feel safe' - the genuine emotional comfort and trust that fosters development and growth. Our goal is to ensure that every child not only is safe, but truly feels safe in our care.
I encourage you to dive into this report to learn more about our heightened safety measures and the plans we have in place for our next steps, while keeping in mind that this plan is ever-evolving to address the world in which we live. Thank you for partnering with us to create an environment where our students can thrive.
Sincerely,
David Armstrong NOTE FROM DR. ARMSTRONG, VP OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS
COMMITTED
CURRENT PROJECT LIST TO STRENGTHENING
SECURITY
&
Installation October 2023 | New PA System at Worth Street
Complete | Shatter-resistant 3M film on windows at both campuses (first floor at Dallas Road)
Begins August 10 | Enhanced door/gate access protocols at Worth Street (Complete details on page 3)
Complete | New 8-foot fence and gate at Ruth Street entrance
In-progress | Door management system for all main exterior doors
Complete (Worth Street), In-progress (Dallas Road) | Video Call Boxes at the entry of both campuses
Complete | Radios for guardians, principals, nurses, Men of Faith, and receptionists
Complete | Nighttime burglar alarm
Complete | Grapevine Police Department on-campus safes with Rapid Response Kits
On-going | Guardian training: Includes both on and off campus training as well as simulation exercises
Established | Safety Alert Levels
Upcoming Training | Mobile App linked to the lockdown system (Faculty can initiate lockdown from anywhere on campus)
FUTURE UPGRADES
Perimeter fence and gates at Dallas Road
Hallway and Classroom Lighting upgrades
Wayfinder signs
Hallway renovations at Dallas Road
Exterior door alarms
THEGRAPEVINEFAITHTEAM &EQUIPPING
ANNUAL & ONGOING TRAINING
Crisis Management Training & Classroom Supplies
Bloodborne Pathogen Training
Allergen Awareness, Procedural Training & Signage (Includes pre-event training, cleaning procedures, and emergency training)
Student Health Plans (Provided by PCP)
Announced and Unannounced Crisis Management Drills
Constituent Privacy Policies & Training
Cybersecurity Measures & Training
CPR and AED Training (7 AEDs across the GFCS campus)
Stop the Bleed Training (Every classroom and support staff office equipped with Stop the Bleed Kits)
In our examination of safety measures on the Worth Street campus, we scrutinized our existing protocols, focusing particularly on the management of external/internal doors and the process of visitor/parent check-in.
Our objective is to balance the preservation of a family atmosphere with the enforcement of GFCS safety standards. We are confident that this can be achieved by bolstering the security of exterior doors and enhancing the visitor/parent check-in protocols. Implementing these measures will enable us to sustain a welcoming ambiance within the school, while reinforcing the security outside.
N E W P R O C E D U R E
WORTH
STREET EXTERIOR DOORS EFFECTIVE 08.10.23
All exterior access gates and doors will remain closed throughout the school day.
Car Line Schedule:
DROP-OFF: Elementary 7:30 – 7:55 AM | Junior High 7:45 – 8:05 AM
PICK-UP: Carline Gate Opens at 2:45 PM 8:05 AM
Car Line Gate & Car Line Door Closing Time:
Check-in will be available ONLY at Main Entrance for:
Elementary: After 8:00 AM | Junior High: After 8:05 AM
Main entrance doors will be locked starting at 8:20 each morning.
Parent Check-in:
Parents are welcome to walk their children to the classroom(s) and visit HeBrews each morning.
Parents staying past 8:20 are required to check in at the front office and wear a “visitor” sticker while on campus
The visitor sticker helps identify proper access to the campus This provides security assurance for other parents and visitors
School Day Access:
To protect our student learning experience, we ask that parents deliver items or messages to their child through our front entrance receptionists
We will ensure delivery to the classroom This includes things such as lunches, water bottles, clothing or similar items
Special Events:
During large-scale special events (Grandparents Day, Kindergarten Graduation, awards ceremonies), the car line gate, car line doors, and main entrance doors will remain unlocked and the campus will be on an elevated alert status
EXPERT EXPERIENCE: KERRI BRADY
We are blessed to have Kerri Brady, vice president of educational practice at Texas architect firm Huckabee, consult with us as we implement our safety and security upgrades.
Kerri serves on the Texas School Safety Center Board, a committee working on changing and improving school facility standards in partnership with state officials, the State Board of Education and the Texas Education Agency. Her expertise includes school architecture, safety and security, planning, and research. She regularly participates in working groups about school safety planning across Texas.
DAVID ARMSTRONG, Ed D , CPA VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE & OPERATIONS
QUESTIONS | COMMENTS?
DAVID ARMSTRONG@GRAPEVINEFAITH COM 817.442.9144 X2468
GRAPEVINE FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | AUGUST 2023
