Updated Security Protocols

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The Ambridge Area School District has diligently worked with district staff, the Ambridge Police, and mental health professionals to develop a re-entry plan for school to resume on Friday, November 15, 2024.

Ambridge Police will have an additional presence at the Middle School tomorrow, Friday, November 15, 2024.

In terms of student and staff support, the district has worked with Prevention Network and our own Students Services Team to have staff at all 5 schools tomorrow.  The mental health staff are trained to respond to critical incidents and assist with stress management to help students and staff process initial reactions and stabilize the situation.  As part of the re-entry process at the Middle School, we will provide designated times for students to attend optional debriefing sessions where students can process their feelings. All other buildings will have assigned district mental health support staff available for students.   There will also be opportunities for staff to speak to mental health support staff within each school.

In addition to mental health support, the district will be enforcing the following security measures. Please read the following changes that will take effect immediately, November 15, 2024.

High School/Middle School:

• Students are no longer permitted to bring 3-Ring Binders or Trapper Keepers to school. They may use non-metal organizational folders moving forward.
• Students will only be permitted to utilize clear bookbags/backpacks and should only have essential school items (laptops/iPads, folders, notepads, writing utensils). If you do not have a clear bookbag/backpack, please carry your items without a bag. No bookbags/backpacks that are not clear will be permitted in school.
• Students will be allowed to bring small purses and lunch bags that will be scanned.
• Students involved in extracurricular activities CAN bring the necessary clothing, equipment, and materials in a bag. However, these items will be scanned and kept in a designated location within the building. Students will not have access to these items until the end of the day.
• As a reminder, students should ONLY have clear, plastic water bottles.

Elementary Schools:

• As a reminder, students should ONLY have clear, plastic water bottles.
• Students are no longer permitted to bring 3-Ring Binders or Trapper Keepers to school. They may use non-metal organizational folders moving forward.
• Students will only be permitted to utilize clear bookbags/backpacks and should only have essential school items (iPads, folders, notepads, writing utensils) beginning December 3, 2024.
• Students will utilize clear lunch bags beginning December 3, 2024.

**We encourage elementary parents to begin to use clear bookbags and lunch bags as soon as possible. We are providing additional time for elementary schools as it is difficult for younger children to carry multiple items.

We will continue to review these procedures and adjust as necessary.

The safety and security of our students and staff is a top priority of the Ambridge Area School District. As such, the district takes all threats and all reports of alleged threats seriously. Please talk to your children about reporting if they witness or hear anything that makes them feel uncomfortable or raises concern.

Students can report to any staff member or use Safe2Say, (Call 1-844-SAF2SAY (1-844-723-2729),  or use the SAFE2SAY SOMETHING PA App, or go to the website at https://www.safe2saypa.org/for-students)

Any parent with information, questions, or concerns is encouraged to reach out to the Ambridge Area Principal at your child’s school.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation at this time.  We look forward to welcoming your students back to school. We will get through this together.