NIAGARA CHARTER SCHOOL
COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL-WIDE
SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN
Dr. Novak
Chief Academic Officer
Updated 7-1-2023
The Niagara Charter School is committed to providing a safe environment for all staff and students. Therefore, the School reviews policies annually to ensure the needs of the building are being addressed.
Our collaborations with community partners address safety protocols school‐wide, and the School continuously consults with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department to evaluate current policies, and procedures and discuss best practices with the Board of Trustees.
The Niagara Charter School pledges to be vigilant and progressive in the arena of school safety, and cameras and other safety measures are in place to ensure a safe environment for all staff and students. Below please find links to a parent resource for your information.
Niagara Charter School Code of Conduct
Darci M. Novak, Ph.D.
Chief Academic Officer
INTRODUCTION
The Niagara Charter School Board of Trustees is committed to providing every student a safe environment within which to study, learn, and grow to the best of his/her ability.
The Niagara Charter School Board of Trustees is cognizant of increasing incidents of violence in public schools throughout the nation and will not tolerate violence of any nature on school property or at school functions. The Niagara Charter School Board of Trustees has determined that the tolerance level for misconduct of any nature that threatens the safe and orderly environment of the Niagara Charter School is zero.
The Board expects that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken should such misconduct arise, and that any person, found to be acting in a violent or threatening manner, to staff, students, or visitors on or near school property, will be immediately subject to disciplinary action.
The authority of the Niagara Charter School Board of Trustees to authorize suspension and to make other such reasonable rules and regulations regarding discipline is granted under Section 3214 of the New York State Education Law. The Niagara Charter School Board of Trustees may involve such activities as suspension or other appropriate disciplinary action where school personnel determine that a student’s behavior is such that either the student population or the student himself/herself would be better served by the student’s removal from school.
The Board of Trustees’ policies on school discipline have been developed and predicated on the belief that reasonable behavior should be the goal for each student. Students may be suspended if they engage in behavior that in any way endangers, or threatens to endanger, the health, safety, and/or welfare of others. The length of the suspension will depend upon the gravity of the offense and the circumstances under which it took place. A student may be suspended from school for varying lengths of time for serious offenses which threaten and/or endanger the safety of others.
To address threats and minimize the effects of violent incidents and/or emergencies and to facilitate the coordination of the School with local and county resources in the event of such incidents and emergencies, the State of New York has enacted the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) Law. This Component of the Save Law (Section 2801-1 of the Education Law of the State of New York, Section 155.17) requires the Board of Education of every School School within the State, however, created, to adopt and amend a comprehensive School-Wide School Safety Plan that addresses crisis intervention and prevention, emergency response and management.
This Plan was developed by a School-Wide School Safety Team established by the Chief Academic Officer, and the Niagara Charter School Board of Trustees in collaboration with students, parents, teachers, administrators, school safety personnel, legal counsel, local law enforcement, and emergency response agencies.
The Chief Academic Officer and the Board of Trustees of the Niagara Charter School support the SAVE legislation and encourage and advocate ongoing School-wide cooperation and support of Project SAVE.
SECTION I
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND PLANNING GUIDELINES
- Purpose and Statutory Authority
The School-Wide School Safety Plan was developed pursuant to Education Law Sec. 2801-a and the Commissioner’s Regulation 155.17, which became effective March 27, 2001. This statute and Regulation require each public school School and charter school to develop a School-wide school safety plan regarding crisis intervention and emergency response and management. School Schools and charter schools are further required to develop their plans in consultation with appropriate state and local emergency management agencies.
At the direction of the Niagara Charter School Board of Trustees, the Chief Academic Officer recommended for its approval a School-Wide School Safety Team charged with the development and maintenance of the School-Wide School Safety Plan.
This Plan was developed in reference to the School-Wide School Safety Plan Self-Assessment and Building-Level Emergency Response Plan Self-Assessment provided by the New York State Education Department. The School also refers to its current Policy Addendum Manual containing many of the policies and procedures referenced herein.
- Identification of School Safety Team and Chief Emergency Officer
As of July 1, 2023, the Niagara Charter School’s School-Wide School Safety Team consists of the following members:
| Darci Novak | Administrator |
| Jillian Keicher | Administrator |
| Sherrie Tracy | Instructional Coach |
| Christie Granto | Dean |
| Aimee Gonzalez | Data Coordinator |
| Megan Corsaro | Community Liaison |
| Lynn Kasper | Teacher |
| Sara Felmet | Teacher |
| Jerad Turri | School Nurse |
| Josh Cain
Jared Curren |
Resource Officer
Counselor |
| Amy Meshulam |
Vice President, Board of Trustee Tech and Facilities Coordinator |
The Chief Emergency Officer for Niagara Charter School is the Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Darci Novak (716-297-4520, darcinovak@niagaracharter.org) The Chief Emergency Officer’s duties include the following:
- Coordination of communication between school staff, law enforcement, and other first responders;
- Leading efforts of the School Safety Team in the completion and yearly update of the School Safety Plan and the coordination with the Building-Level Emergency Response Plan;
- Ensuring staff understand the School Safety Plan;
- Ensuring the completion and yearly update of the Building-Level Emergency Response Plan;
- Assisting in the selection of security related technology and development of procedures for the use of such technology;
- Coordinating appropriate safety, security, and emergency training for school staff, including required training in the emergency response plan;
- Ensuring the conduct of required evacuation and lock-down drills in the School buildings as required by Education Law sec. 807;
- Ensuring the completion and yearly update of Building-Level Emergency Response Plans by the dates designated by the Commissioner.
- Plan Review and Public Comment
Pursuant to Commissioner’s Regulation Section 155.17 (e)(3), this School-Wide School Safety Plan will be made available for public comment at least 30 days prior to its formal adoption by The Niagara Charter School Board of Trustees.
The School-Wide School Safety Plan will be adopted by The Niagara Charter School Board of Trustees only after at least one public hearing that provides for the participation of school personnel, parents, students, and any other interested parties.
Full copies of the School-Wide School Safety Plan will be posted on the School website within 30 days of adoption.
This Plan shall be reviewed by the School-Wide School Safety Team on at least an annual basis and updated as needed. The required annual review will be completed on or before July 1 of each year after its adoption by The Niagara Charter School Board of Trustees. A copy of the plan will be available in the School’s Office at 2077 Lockport Road, Niagara Falls, NY.
This School-Wide Safety Plan is directly linked to the individual Building-Level Emergency Management Operations Plan. Protocols reflected in the School-Wide School Safety Plan will guide the development and implementation of the individual Building-Level Emergency Management Plan. While linked to the School-Wide School Safety Plan, the Building-Level Emergency Response Plans shall be confidential and shall not be subject to disclosure under Article 6 of the Public Officers Law or any other provision of law in accordance with Education Law Section 2801-a.
SECTION II
RISK REDUCTION/PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION
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Prevention and Intervention Strategies
- Non-Violent Conflict Resolution Programs
The Niagara Charter School continues to develop a comprehensive K-6 non-violent conflict resolution program built on existing and evolving programs. The program will be designed for age-appropriate integration and consist of the following:
Elementary Level: Implementation of the Leader in Me process. Students will learn the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Students will be introduced to problem-solving, anti-bullying, character education, and respecting differences through a focus on positive behavior when appropriate. Information will be shared from guidance counselors and/or after-school extended day clubs.
Other non-violent conflict resolution programs currently in place include:
School Staff Assisted Peer Mediation – mediation between peers in a conflict that is guided by trained staff members of the student’s school
- Intervention
Restorative Justice
Restorative justice is a philosophy based on a set of principles that guide the response to conflict and harm. The Niagara Charter School is implementing practices of restorative justice and will continue the process in the 2023/2024 school year.
Restorative justice’s three main goals are
Accountability: Restorative justice strategies provide opportunities for wrongdoers to be accountable to those they have harmed, and enable them to repair the harm they caused to the extent possible
School Community Safety: Restorative justice recognizes the need to keep the school community safe through strategies that build relationships and empower the community to take responsibility for the well-being of its members.
Competency development: Restorative justice seeks to increase the pro-social skills of those who have harmed others, address underlying factors that lead youth to engage in delinquent behavior, and build on strengths in each young person.
Early Detections of Potentially Violent Behaviors
School counselors work in conjunction with parents, administrators, and teachers in researching, identifying, and disseminating information regarding potentially violent behaviors. Additionally, the School works closely with families and counselors to assist students who have exhibited violent behaviors. As mandated reporters, staff members have the authority to contact Child Protective Services (CPS) to hotline a student if further investigation is needed.
The Niagara Charter School will:
- Facilitate training for staff and students on specific policies regarding reporting of threats and conflicts, weapons, appropriate clothing and the clearly defined roles and responsibilities of all persons involved in the school setting.
- Announce and post the School’s safety policies against violence in visible areas of the school.
There are early warning signs in most cases of violence to self and others. Certain emotional and behavioral signs that, when viewed in context, can signal a troubled student. Teachers are provided a checklist of these signs that can be used to signal a student that may need help. The more signs a student exhibits, the more likely he/she may need intervention.
The United States Department of Education’s “Early Warning, Timely Response” document presents a checklist of early warning signs that may be used to signal that a student may need intervention. Such signs may include:
Social withdrawal
Excessive feelings of isolation
Excessive feelings of rejection
Being the victim of violence
Feeling of being picked on
Low school interest or poor academic performance
Expression of violence in writing or drawing
Uncontrolled anger
Patterns of impulsive, chronic hitting and bullying History of discipline problems
History of violent and aggressive behavior Intolerance for differences and prejudicial attitudes Alcohol and drug usage
Affiliation with gangs
Inappropriate access/use of firearms Serious threats of violence
This information will be made available to teachers, administrators, counselors, parents, other persons in parental relation to students, students, and other persons deemed appropriate to receive such information.
If a teacher or administrator feels help for a student is warranted, it will be discussed with the appropriate school personnel to determine the next step.
Interpersonal violence prevention education will be taught as appropriate.
The Chief Academic Officer will set a specific time for a Professional Development Plan to organize activities of particular concern.
- Extended Day and Other School Safety Programs
The Niagara Charter School is committed to extended day programs to provide safe environments for after-school learning. Some of these programs may include but are not limited to expanding existing club offerings and activities that focus on positive character building.
The Niagara Charter School has and continues to implement strategies for improving communication among students and between students and staff:
Students are encouraged to report school violence and any symptoms of potentially violent behavior to counselors, principals, student coordinators, counselors, and teachers or any other mentor without fear of retaliation.
Students are to report alleged cases of student harassment or discrimination by students or staff to an adult in the school such as an administrator, teacher, or counselor. This is covered under the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA).
The Niagara Charter School has developed various strategies for the improvement of communication among students, and between students and staff. A teaching component for all grade levels will be offered. This teaching component will encompass the following subject areas: front-line defense against bullying, harassment, and gangs, anger management, peer mediation and involvement, developing social skills and citizenship, and character education (The Leader in Me).
The School currently implements staff-assisted peer mediation in conflict. The Niagara Charter School will continue to develop ongoing strategies for improving communication between students and staff and the reporting of potentially violent incidents by the following:
- Maintaining an electronic reporting system for reporting school incidents of school violence and inappropriate behaviors.
- Maintaining a system for anonymous reporting for areas of concern.
- School staff members are to be given annual training and staff development on the school safety plan and policies. Skills will be developed in the following areas: violence prevention and intervention, conflict resolution, recognition of early warning signs of potentially violent behavior, and procedures to assist victims of school violence. Information to be disseminated through handbook distribution and staff meetings.
- The Niagara Charter School will also provide parents of our students and community members opportunities to understand the School’s safety initiatives as well as opportunities to serve on committees, attend meetings on school safety and assist in school safety programs.
The Niagara Charter School uses a proactive approach to help build a healthy school environment using the strengths and experience of our staff and students.
We will continue to build and focus on the elements needed to ensure a safe school environment. Some of these elements include, but are not limited to
K-6 (Guidance Counselor)
- conflict resolution skill building
- positive behavior
- caring environment
- character education
- mentoring
- peaceful problem solving
- after school clubs
- restorative justice practices
- Postvention
Formal Debriefing Meetings, Liaisons with law enforcement agencies and judicial system, School Crisis Plan, Long-Range Intervention, Formal School Emergency Plans
Training, Exercises, & Drills
- Annual School Safety Training for Staff
In accordance with Project SAVE requirements the School will conduct annual school safety training for staff members in violence prevention and intervention. Staff members will be trained to develop skills for school violence prevention and intervention. This ongoing training and staff development will include the School’s School-Wide School Safety Plan and the School’s policies on discipline and crimes committed on school grounds and/or against school staff.
Areas of Concentration
| a. | School Violence Prevention Training
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| b. | School Violence Intervention Training
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| c. | Mental Health Training
– Suicide prevention – Coping with COVID19 |
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Members of the support staff, safety staff, and crisis teams from the school building also receive training on the proper procedures for “Bomb Threats” and Violence Resistance.
- Annual School Safety Training For Students
In accordance with Project SAVE requirements, annual school safety training for students will take place. Violence prevention and intervention strategies will be incorporated across the curriculum in all grade levels with concentrations of such teaching potentially being incorporated in health and physical education classes. Additionally, students will take part in annual crisis and early dismissal drills initiated and monitored by the School Safety Director in collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
- Review and Conduct of Lockdown, On-Site Shelter, Evacuation, Early Dismissal Drills, and Other Exercises
Under the direction of the School-Wide Safety/Emergency Director, the Niagara Charter School conducts Mock School lockdown and/or on-site shelter drills at various times throughout the school year. The School is required to simulate an incident that would warrant a lockdown and/or on-site shelter and respond accordingly. School plans and information are to be finalized through the building level safety committee. At the conclusion of the drill, school administrators are required to provide information concerning time, cooperation, and effectiveness to the School-Wide Safety Director. Local Police and Fire Departments participate in these drills.
The School also participates in safety evacuation and early dismissal drills. Schools are required to simulate an incident that would require the evacuation of the school building to its “primary evacuation site,” and respond accordingly. At the conclusion of the evacuation drill, school administrators are required to provide information concerning time, cooperation, and effectiveness to the School-Wide Safety Director. Existing plans will be revised in response to post-incident critiques of these drills.
The purpose of the lockdown, on-site shelter, evacuation, and early dismissal drills is three-fold:
| a. | To provide a learning experience for staff and students in lockdown, seeking on-site safe areas and/or exiting a school facility in an orderly and safe manner. |
| b. | To develop an appreciation and understanding of the need for a safety prevention method to protect all parties involved in an emergency situation. |
| c. | To coordinate with local emergency services officials to improve the overall level of school emergency plans. |
Additionally, the Chief Academic Officer of the School/School-Wide Safety/Emergency Director is responsible for ensuring that fire drills are conducted in each school building at various times throughout the course of the school year.
Other training may entail classroom activities, tabletop exercises, short briefings, or presentations related to any aspect of the emergency management operations plan that shall increase the awareness and preparedness of staff and students.
- Description of the Duties, Hiring and Screening Process, and Required Training of School Safety Personnel
All employees of the Niagara Charter School, including school safety personnel, must successfully complete the School’s application process and meet the minimum qualifications as described in the School’s job specifications. This process includes a filing of an application with a recent resume, an interview, and a local background check.
In accordance with Project SAVE regulations, all potential candidates also need to be fingerprinted and approved prior to being hired.
All new employees hired after the start of the school year shall receive all appropriate training, including on the Building-Level Emergency Response Plan, multi-hazard school safety training, and components on violence prevention and mental health, within thirty (30) days of hire.
Crisis Management Team
The Crisis Management Team is trained yearly at the School. The team is composed of the school’s staff including administrators, teachers, cleaners, secretaries, and support staff. Their responsibility is to respond to all emergencies that affect the school. They are to assist in providing for the protection and safety of the school’s population.
CPR/AED Training
There are staff members in the building who are trained and required to maintain certification in CPR/AED. They include physical education teachers, registered nurses, and health associates. Each building is equipped with AED machines located in prominent locations.
- Implementation of School Security
- Policies and Procedures Relating to School Building Security and Routes to and from School
The Niagara Charter School’s policies and procedures for building security are formulated to address the potential for violence in our schools. The School’s goal is to create and maintain a safe and secure learning environment for students, teachers, and staff.
The Niagara Charter School is equipped with a high level of security technology. These include video surveillance systems and electronic door openers.
All policies and procedures are documented and approved by the school School administration and legal counsel.
Entrance to Buildings:
- Entry to the building is permitted from the main entrance only.
- Every door is accessible as an exit.
- All visitors to school buildings must report to an assigned area to be registered in the facility.
- All visitors must sign in and show identification upon reporting to the reception area and must also explain their purpose.
Vital Educational Agency Information
Each Building-Level Emergency Response Plan will include information regarding
- School population
- Number of staff
- Transportation needs
- Business and home telephone numbers of key officials of each educational agency.
The Building-Level Emergency Response Team will ensure that this information is updated routinely and is accurate.
Hazard Identification
Niagara Charter School – Cafeteria, Playground, Lockport Road, Pond located at front of the property, railroad tracks located behind the school.
SECTION III
RESPONSE
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Notification and Activation (Internal and External Communications)
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Policies and Procedures for Responses in the Event of a Violent Incident
Chain of Command – The Chain of command has been established by the Niagara Charter School, starting with the Chief Academic Officer and the Assistant Academic Officer, and flows down the levels of authority and responsibility of the School. The CAO or his/her designee shall initiate the appropriate response action when there is a violent incident.
Sequential Response Action – A sequential response action is activated in the event of any violent incident. After the verification has been made by school staff, notification to local law or fire enforcement agencies is made. Notification is done by telephone by dialing 911 or through an alarm system connected directly to the police department. School personnel is trained on procedures to follow when contacting law enforcement agencies. This training is done annually.
Information System – In the event of an emergency or impending emergency, the Chief Academic Officer/designee will notify all staff within the School via telephone, School Radio Systems, telefax, or Email, to take the appropriate action. Additionally, in the event telephone lines are inoperable, the Chief Academic Officer/designee will communicate with the staff through the use of the School’s Alert System which includes text messaging, cellular phone calls, and emails. Additionally, the Chief Academic Officer/designee shall contact the local media.
Policies and Procedure for Contacting Parents, Guardians, or Person in Parental Relation to the Students of the School in the Event of a Violent Incident
In all cases of violent incidents or other emergencies, the CAO or his/her designee, must notify the parent or guardian of any student involved in such violent incident or other emergencies by telephone or by personal contact before the students are sent home. In the event the parent or guardian cannot be reached, students shall be held at school or in an alternate staff-supervised sheltering location until the end of the school day.
Procedures for Obtaining Advice and Assistance from Local Government Officials
In the event of an emergency, the CAO/Designee serves as the Incident Commander. Should advice and/or assistance from local government officials be required, the Incident Commander will direct/authorize the request for assistance from other local officials/agencies. The Incident Commander will personally make inquiries and requests and/or designate another member of the safety team to do so.
Additionally, the Incident Commander may contact the Niagara County Emergency Services Director of Emergency Services & Fire Coordinator at (716) 438-3171.
The School has identified and compiled resources for an emergency if the nature of the emergency necessitates advice and/or assistance from local government officials.
Resources that may be available in an emergency include the following:
Red Cross, Fire Department, Police, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Department of Transportation, NYS Department of Health, and state Emergency Management Office.
Procedure for Obtaining Emergency Assistance from Local Government
In the event of an emergency, the CAO/Designee (which includes classroom teachers in the event of a classroom emergency) contacts the Main office or 911 for Fire or EMS Response. Additionally, the Niagara County Emergency Services Director of Emergency Services & Fire Coordinator may be contacted at (716) 438-3171. The Incident Commander will authorize the request for assistance from other County agencies if appropriate.
Procedures to Determine and Coordinate School Resources and Manpower Available for Use in an Emergency
To determine and coordinate the appropriate use of direct School Resources and manpower during emergencies, contracted maintenance and custodial staff members will be consulted by the Incident Commander/designee.
Public Information
In any situation where normal school activities are disrupted, it is crucial for the Niagara Charter School to recognize its obligation to inform the public of the problem and how the School is responding to it.
The Niagara Charter School utilizes public information on a regular basis during the winter months to announce school cancellations and dismissals due to inclement weather. The same rationale, with an increased sense of importance, applies to other less common types of hazards.
The Chief Academic Officer of the Niagara Charter School will serve as the primary emergency public information officer during most emergencies and the Assistant Academic Officer will be the alternative when the Chief Academic Officer is not available. The overall functions of the public information officer will be
- To provide correct information to the public on what is occurring and what the School is doing in response;
- To prevent erroneous information from being disseminated;
- To represent a positive image for the school, and demonstrate that the School is responding to the situation in an organized and competent fashion;
- To coordinate with other agencies that may be responding to the situation to ensure that the public is receiving a clear and consistent report of official information;
- To act as a liaison between the media/public and the School staff who are involved in decision-making and the operational response to the emergency;
- To organize the School’s response to parents as they inquire either via telephone or in-person as to the health and safety of their children.
Situational Responses
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Protective Actions for School Cancellation/Delayed Start, Early Dismissal, Evacuation, and Sheltering
School Cancellation/Delayed Start
Early Dismissal
Evacuation
Sheltering
See Niagara Charter School Parent and Employee handbook.
Multi-Hazard Response Plans for Taking Actions in an Emergency
The School’s multi-hazard response plans for taking action in emergencies are included in the appended sections of the Building-level Emergency Response plan pertaining to Criminal Offenses, Natural Hazards, Technological Hazards, Explosion and Fire, Systems failure, Medical Emergencies.
Criminal Offenses
Bomb Threat
Civil Disturbance
Hostage Taking/Kidnapping Intrusion
Suspected Student with a Weapon on Campus Suicide
Natural Hazards
Severe Thunderstorm/Tornado Winter Storm Hurricane/Tropical Storm Flood
Earthquake
Technological Hazards
Mail Handling Protocol Anthrax/Biological Threat On-Site
Biological Threat Off-Site
Air Pollution
Aircraft Crash
Energy Supply Loss Gas Leak
Hazardous Material Incident-On-Site
Hazardous Material Incident-Off-Site
Radiological Incident
Water Emergency
Explosion and Fire
Explosion/Fire Emergency
Systems Failure
Building Structure Failure Electrical System Failure Heating System Failure Transportation Fleet Loss Sewage System Failure
Medical Emergencies
School Bus Accident (Off-Site)
Procedural Guidelines for Medical Emergencies
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Response Protocol Plans for Responding to Implied or Direct Threats of Violence and Acts of Violence by Students, Teachers, other School Personnel, and Visitors
When faced with acts of violence and/or implied or direct threats of violence by students, teachers, other school personnel, or visitors, any staff member involved shall:
Assess the situation and make a determination if emergency assistance is required.
If emergency assistance is required, the staff member involved shall immediately request emergency assistance from the office.
If emergency assistance is not required, and the individual is a student, the staff member involved shall refer the student to the principal who shall immediately suspend the student for a short-term or long-term suspension. The procedure for which may be found in the School’s Code of Conduct.
In all cases of suspension, the CAO or his/her designee must notify the parent or guardian by telephone or a personal contact before the student is sent home. In the event the parent or guardian cannot be reached, the student shall be held at school, but out of classes, until the end of the school day.
Illegal actions shall be reported to the police by the CAO or designee.
See also Niagara Charter School Code of Conduct
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Emergency Response Protocol Plans for Other Than Implied or Direct Threats of Violence
The following are the steps to be taken in crisis response. These are planned reactions to any unexpected event.
- School Staff: After receiving any information that might compromise the health, safety, and/or welfare of any member of the school community, and administrative team member should be contacted. All facts and information shall be provided to the administrative team member.
- Administrative team: The team will make an honest and critical appraisal of the situation. All crucial players involved will be mobilized if needed. This will include law enforcement, teachers, students, parents, and guidance counselors.
- A building safety audit may be performed: Checking lockers and classrooms.
- All involved persons will be interviewed. The degree of the situation will be evaluated to determine if further action is necessary. If appropriate, the local newspaper, radio, and television will be contacted and advised of the situation.
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Response Protocol Plan for Implied or Direct Threats of Domestic Violence
In conjunction with The New York State Domestic Violence Prevention Act, a protocol has been developed for school officials to follow in response to suspected student domestic abuse/violence incidents that will ensure student safety through notification of appropriate law enforcement and community service providers.
See Appendix I – Response Protocol Plan for Implied or Direct Threats of Domestic Violence.
SECTION IV
POST-INCIDENT RECOVERY
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Support for Building
The School has put a Post Incident Response Team into place which includes members of the faculty and staff as well as the school nurse, and guidance counselors. These individuals are to use their professional expertise and follow the School’s post-incident response guide in the period following an incident.
The Niagara Charter School will provide resources and support to the Emergency Management Teams and Crisis Intervention/Post Incident Response Teams when the School is affected by threatened or actual violent incidents or other emergencies as required.
Each Post Incident Response team should consider the following steps:
- Consult with administrators to see if involvement is necessary
- Acquire facts and circumstances regarding the incident
- Determine the target population
- Assist the building administrator with the dissemination of information to staff, parents, and students
- Assign team members to individual tasks
- Provide crisis team services
- Plan for ending involvement
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Mental Health Services
The Niagara Charter School through its administrative staff will ensure that if the School is affected by a threatened or actual violent incident or other emergencies, there is access to federal, state, and local mental health resources. This guidance and assistance will be coordinated by a designee from the Chief Academic Officer’s office assigned to the task.
Recognizing the importance of Mental Health, the Niagara Charter School offers several Mental Health Support Services for teachers, staff, and students.
Examples include but are not limited to
- Mental Health First Aid Training for staff members
- If the school is affected by a threatened or actual violent incident or other emergencies, it will require its Emergency Management Team and Crisis Intervention/Post Incident Response Team to meet with the School-Wide Safety Coordinator to evaluate the response and recovery efforts and provide suggestions for modifications and/or improvements. A report of this meeting will be required to be presented to The Niagara Charter School Board of Trustees at a designated time and all team members will be invited to attend.
Recent Amendments to Education Law §2801-a Regarding Pandemic
Planning
Amendments to Safety Plan
- A list and description of positions and titles considered essential in the event of a state-ordered reduction of the in-person workforce, as well as justification for such consideration for each position and title.
| Darci Novak-Chief Academic Officer |
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| Jill Keicher-Assistant Academic Officer |
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| Kiana Gordon-Office Manager |
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| Megan Corsaro-Community Liaison |
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| Kelli Buchinger-Administrative Assistant |
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| Christopher Stoianoff-Facilities Manager/IT Coordinator |
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| Elanda Harris-Cafeteria Manager |
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| Vincent Wright-Cafeteria Assistant |
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| School Resource Officer, Josh Cain |
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- Description of protocols the employer will follow in order to enable all non-essential employees and contractors to telecommunicate including, but not limited to, facilitating or requesting the procurement, distribution, downloading, and installation of any needed devices or technology, including software date, office laptops or cell phones, and the transferring of office phone lines to work or personal cell phones as practicable or applicable.
All non-essential staff members are provided with a school-issued laptop computer and a Google Enterprise license.
Non-essential staff members in need of technical assistance will fill out a technology request form located under the Teacher Resource tab on the School’s website. Technology Request Forms will be fulfilled by the School’s IT Coordinator.
- c. A description of how the employer will, to the extent possible, stagger work shifts of essential employees and contractors to reduce overcrowding on public transportation and worksites.
Nine employees will be considered essential in the case of state-ordered reduction of the in-person workforce or a public health emergency. The offices of the nine employees are spread out throughout the building, allowing all essential staff to maintain a safe social distance from one another. If needed, work shifts will be staggered to allow essential employees to work from home on alternating days or work opposite shifts.
The Facilities Manager is responsible for ensuring scheduled contractors have staggered schedules to reduce overcrowding in specific areas.
- Protocols the employer will implement to procure personal protective equipment (PPE) for essential employees and contractors, based upon tasks and needs in a quantity sufficient to provide at least two pieces of each type of PPE to each essential employee and contractor during any given work shift over at least six months. A plan for storage of equipment and access to equipment must be included.
Niagara Charter will procure personal protective equipment for essential employees through contracted vendors. The School will provide appropriate face coverings. gloves and hand sanitizer to all essential faculty and staff while at work at no cost to the faculty or staff member. PPE will be provided to contractors entering the building.
The School will store enough equipment to provide at least two pieces of each type of PPE to each essential employee and contractor. The School will maintain an adequate supply of face coverings, masks, and other required PPE on hand should faculty or staff need a replacement. PPE supplies will be stored in the school’s Conference Room or Health Office.
- Protocols in the event an employee or contractor is exposed to a known case of the disease exhibit symptoms of the disease, or tests positive for the disease to prevent the spread or contradiction in the workplace. The protocols shall not violate any existing federal, state, or local law, regarding sick leave or health information privacy, and must include
- Detailed actions to immediately and thoroughly disinfect the work area, common area surface, and shared equipment; and
- The employer policy on available leave in the event of the need of an employee to receive testing, treatment, isolation, or quarantine.
Screening
Daily Screening questionnaires will determine if faculty, staff, and, where applicable, visitors, contractors, and vendors:
- knowingly been in close or proximity contact in the last 14 days with anyone who has tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19;
- tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 in the past 14 days;
- has experienced any symptoms of COVID-19, including a temperature of greater than 100.0F, in the past 14 days; and/or
- has traveled internationally or from a state with widespread community transmission of COVID-19 per the New York State Travel Advisory in the past 14 days.
Any individual who screens positive for COVID-19 exposure or symptoms, will not report to work and will contact his/her direct supervisor. Individuals will be provided with information on health care and testing resources.
For individuals who screened positive for COVID-19 symptoms, they can return to work by providing, at a minimum, documentation from a health care provider, a negative COVID-19 test, and symptom resolution, or if COVID-19 positive, released from isolation.
Cleaning and Disinfection
Niagara Charter School staff will provide for the cleaning and disinfection of exposed areas in the event an individual is confirmed to have COVID-19, with such cleaning and disinfection to include, at a minimum, all heavy transit areas, and high-touch surfaces.
Niagara Charter School will follow CDC guidelines on “Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility,” if someone is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19.
Any affected area of the school (e.g., front office, classroom, restroom, hallway) will be closed off, and the school will consult with the local health department. When possible, windows will be opened to increase air circulation and the affected area will be cleaned after 24 hours. All areas used by the person suspected of or confirmed to have COVID-19, such as offices, classrooms, bathrooms, lockers, and common areas will be cleaned and disinfected.
Once the area has been appropriately cleaned and disinfected, it can be reopened for use. Individuals without close or proximate contact with the person suspected of or confirmed to have COVID-19 can return to the area and resume school activities immediately after cleaning and disinfection.
If more than seven days have passed since the person who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 visited or used the facility, additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary, but routine cleaning and disinfection will continue.
Leave
Under legislation signed by Governor Cuomo, New York workers are guaranteed job protection and financial compensation while they are on a mandatory or precautionary quarantine order due to COVID-19.
Niagara Charter School must provide their employees with:
- At least 5 days of paid sick leave (as our staff levels are presently between 11-99) and guaranteed job protection for the duration of the quarantine order.
- Compensation for the remainder of their quarantine through our existing PFL and DB policy up to $2,884.62 per week.
If an employee is quarantined but able to work from home, they do not qualify for these benefits.
The following is required for COVID19 leave:
- The employee is subject to a federal, state or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19, which Niagara Charter School must obtain a copy of.
In no event shall an employee qualify for sick leave under New York’s COVID-19 sick leave law for more than three orders of quarantine or isolation. The second and third orders must be based on a positive COVID-19 test in accordance with NYS policy.
APPENDIX I
Response Protocol Plan for Implied or Direct Threats of Domestic Violence
The following protocol has been developed for school officials to follow in response to suspected student domestic abuse/violence incidents that will ensure student safety through notification of appropriate law enforcement and community service providers.
Definitions
- “Family or household members” for the purpose of these protocols includes adults or minors who are:
- Legally married to one another, separated (legally or otherwise), or divorced;
- Related by blood, including parent and children;
- Related by marriage (including in-laws);
- Parents of the same child or children;
- Living together;
- Having, or formerly had, a significant dating relationship; or
- Designated as such by law (foster family).
- “Domestic Violence” occurs when a family or household member commits or attempts to commit one or more offenses against another member consisting of the following:
- Bodily injury or fear of imminent bodily injury;
- Sex offenses;
- Aggravated criminal contempt or criminal contempt in the first or second degree relating to the violation of an Order of Protection or other valid court order;
- Criminal trespass;
- Aggravated harassment;
- Kidnapping or unlawful imprisonment in the first or second degree;
- Assault in the first, second or third degree, attempted assault, reckless endangerment in the first or second degree, menacing in the second or third degree, harassment in the first or second degree and disorderly conduct;
- Endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person in the first or second degree;
- Coercion in the first or second degree; and
- Endangering the welfare of a child.
Administrative Procedures
- Upon suspected or direct receipt of information from any source concerning domestic abuse/ violence as it relates to a student(s), the faculty or staff member receiving the information will immediately notify his/her building administrator. In the event the building administrator is unavailable, the faculty or staff member will inform the building administrator’s designee.
- The CAO or his or her designee shall take action as noted in the following procedures upon receipt of information from faculty, staff or students:
- Notify law enforcement officials by calling 911 in the event of an imminent emergency or contacting the Domestic Violence Unit of the Niagara Falls Police department at 286-4570;
- Determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe that a child is an abused or maltreated child and if so, report such abuse to the New York State Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-342-3720;
- Assess the need for medical attention and contact the school nurse;
- Contact parent/guardian or family member(s) where appropriate;
- Contact school counselor;
Amendment 23/24
Emergency Remote Instructional Plan
OVERVIEW
The Niagara Charter School may offer remote instruction to students at certain times including, but not limited to, independent study, enrichment courses, and in the event of an emergency condition, including, but not limited to, extraordinary adverse weather conditions, impairment of heating facilities, insufficiency of water supply, shortage of fuel, destruction of a school building, or a communicable disease outbreak.
In the event the School remains in session and provides remote instruction when it would otherwise close due to an emergency condition, the remote instruction provided by the School will be consistent with theSchool’s emergency remote instruction plan, located in the School-wide school safety plan. When making decisions about remote instruction, the School will consult with students, parents, teachers, administrators, community members, and other stakeholders as appropriate. When implementing remote instruction, the School will ensure that it is complying with applicable teaching and learning requirements.
DEFINITIONS
- a) “Asynchronous instruction” means instruction where students engage in learning without the direct presence (remote or in-person) of a teacher.
- b) “Non-digital and/or audio-based instruction” means instruction accessed synchronously and/or asynchronously through paper-based materials where the student to teacher interaction occurs via telephone or other audio platforms.
- c) “Remote instruction” means instruction provided by an appropriately certified teacher who is not in the same in-person physical location as the student(s) receiving the instruction, where there is regular and substantive daily interaction between the student and teacher.
REMOTE LEARNING PROCEDURES
Access to Technology Access to technology is critical for the effective movement of our plan. NCS is dedicated to constant development and execution of School technologies to ensure sufficient links for staff and students. The School has commenced plans that are conscious of student’s home access to reliable devices. These include but are not limited to:
- Students in grades K-6 will be offered a Chromebook to be taken home if the School needs to transition to remote learning.
- Teachers have access to a laptop
● Students will use their own internet when at home. If no internet access is available, the School can provide a hotspot, if one is available. Students in need of a hotspot will contact the Technology Department (716-297-4520 x7109) and awaiting administrative agreement will be supplied with the hotspot in a timely manner. Remote Learning will offer all students access to learning resources in multiple formats, (Google Classroom, etc.) Additionally, the School will assist teachers through professional development. Further training on academic procedures that allow students to take part in various aspects. Students can establish understanding of Learning Standards in remote instruction synchronously through Google Meet and asynchronous through Google Classroom. In the event students do not have sufficient access to devices and/or high-speed internet, the School will give the students an alternative approach to accessing resources and instruction, ex: pick up items at school, drop off items to students’ homes, etc. The School will provide families with a dedicated website for questions around the technology they are using and how to connect to those activities.
