Perimeter Security for Students, Staff and Facilities

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

It is with a great deal of excitement and a deep sense of responsibility for the safety of our students that the District is pleased to announce that it will be providing additional security measures for our students, staff and facilities at the Sacaton Elementary School District #18. A secure iron fence will be installed around the school district perimeter. It will be approximately eight foot high and will go completely around the school district. There will be brick columns to add strength and eye appeal. By securing the perimeters of the district, we will be able to provide additional assurances that students, staff and our facilities will be safe.

Individual access to our schools and our students and staff will be through the building offices at the district, elementary and middle school. Employees will use a Frequency Operated Button (FOB) to open gates and/or doors for access inside the fenced perimeter to enter their respective school. All visitor entries will be marked with appropriate signage to direct individual traffic through office doors or other entries. Buses will drop off elementary students behind the perimeter fence though the automated gates. Middle School students will be dropped off in front of school to enter through the gated portals.

The District has been planning this project for over a year. It is imperative that we protect our students and give parents the peace of mind knowing their children will have an additional perimeter of safety. 

Below are several architectural renderings of the project.

As we complete the final details of the project, we would like to ask our stakeholders (students, staff, parents, and community members) to complete a quick survey regarding the color of the iron fence. Below is a survey link we encourage you to open to take the “Sacaton Schools Security Fence Color Options. Please click on the link or use the QR code to begin taking the survey.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L7N6KX2

The “Sacaton School Security Fence Color Option” survey will close at noon on August 9, 2024.

Safety Response Preparation and Training

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

More than 350,000 people will suffer a cardiac arrest this year. Response time is of the essence in order to safe their life. At Sacaton Schools, the entire staff,  is receiving training and certification in CPR and the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs). The District takes the safety and welfare of its students and staff seriously. Providing a healthy and safe environment for teaching and learning is a goal in our Strategic Plan.

All staff are being trained to provide CPR and use an AED to potentially save the life of someone in need. 

The District is not only providing this needed training, but has purchased 15 AEDs that are distributed throughout the District in common areas. 

When looking for an AED at Sacaton Schools, just look for the a sign like the one shown. You can find AED's in the following locations and buildings:

BUILDING	ROOM
Transportation	Breakroom South wall
Elementary	Lobby West Wall
Elementary	Library SW wall
Elementary	Cafeteria NE wall
Elementary	Gym Stage
Elementary	21 century BLG kitchen
Elementary	Room 44
District Office	Receptionist
Community Technology Center	Hallway
Middle School	M2/Professional Development
Middle School	Cafeteria
Middle School	Library
Middle School	Gym/Stage
Middle School	Weight Room
Middle School	Room B-5

Important Monkey Business

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

On Friday October 27, 2023 the District hosted its second Must Be Present To Win assembly. During the assembly we celebrated a number of student initiatives designed to get students to engage, embrace and contribute to their school, culture and world around them. Initiatives like Be Brave,  Must Be Present To Win, HCA (safety, support and belonging), and Cross-the-line were presented and celebrated.  

The entire school was there and was supported by local leaders and dignitaries. Governor Steven Lewis spoke to the students about attending school and setting goals. He recalled his days as a student at Sacaton and encouraged students to work hard because one day they could be the next Governor of the Gila River Indian Community, the State of Arizona or even perhaps the first Native American President of the United States. 

The Phoenix Suns sent their mascot the "Gorilla" to the assembly to celebrate what Home Court Advantage (aka Home Community Advantage) is all about. High fives, fist bumps, belly slides and smiles were on display by the Gorilla. His presence enhanced the type of support needed to help pick one other up so everyone can belong in a safe school environment. He is truly a mascot for HCA! 

Once again, incentives were handed out to students that have proven to be engaged in school by attending 10 days in a row, 15 days in a row, 20 days in a row, 30 days in a row as well as perfect attendance.  The number of students that have reached these goals since our last assembly is astonishing as the initiative is supported with prizes from BRAVE BOOSTERS in the community. This group of individuals donates incentives to be given away. It is a great reflection on community involvement and makes a difference in the educational engagement of children. I believe in the impact that this is having in our school; therefore, I am actively seeking out additional incentive donations from other sources. We do not want money but are seeking “new” items that students would find appealing (bikes, toys, watches, headphones, games, Lego sets, book sets, ball caps, baseball/basketball/football uniforms, etc.). We cannot use candy or food items. If you would like to join our group of BRAVE BOOSTERS, please see below.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: If you would like to make a difference and donate an “engagement” incentive(s), please drop off all item(s) at the District Office. Administrative Assistant Sue Seider will register the item, approximate value, and name of the person/business donating it and add their name to a list of BRAVE BOOSTERS. A list of Brave Boosters will be added to the website to track and honor those who donate engagement incentives. The incentives will be distributed at our Must Be Present To Win Assemblies. The list of BRAVE BOOSTERS will also be acknowledged at our assemblies and other school functions. 

Getting student to engage and take ownership of their learning, embrace their culture, and contribute to the world around them is our mission at Sacaton. It truly is MISSION POSSIBLE!

Be a part of the BRAVE BOOSTERS! Find out how you can make a difference in the lives of our youth.

 

Safety and Security Our First Priority

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski    

I can't believe the end of the 1st Quarter is just around the corner. Today marks 38 days of school. Next Friday, October 6, 2023 marks the end of Quarter 1. With the last 38 days in mind, I want to compliment the staff and students on the hard work and effort so far this year. Our school attendance rate is above 90%. If we can continue to improve our rate of attendance, I am sure we will see a vast improvement in our academic outcomes. 

During the last several months I have worked with the Board and the Administrative Team to develop goals, strategic objectives and actions plans for this year. The Governing School Board will consider a final ratification of the Strategic Plan at the October 17, 2023 Board Meeting.  None the less we have been working on the implementation of Goal Area 1: Safe and Healthy Environment, as it is of the first and foremost priority that we have. It is a foundation of Maslow's Hierarchy of needs. Health and safety needs must be met before academic and cognitive needs can be successfully realized. Goal Area 1 states that Sacaton Elementary School District will have systems in place that will ensure that students and staff thrive in a safe and healthy environment. Our statement of intended outcome outlines the focus of this goal: Sacaton Schools systems will provide a safe and secure educational environment that is proactive and responsive to known and unknown threats at the district, school and classroom levels ensuring the physical, mental and emotional safety of students and staff.

The Strategic Objectives outline the steps that district intentions and actions:

1. Sacaton Elementary School District will secure its campus. 

1. Action Step: Evaluating the security of district grounds and facilities.

1. Evaluating security signage and implementing signage where needed.

2. Evaluation of the current district perimeter needs.

1. Implementation of a perimeter  barrier to direct all visitor flow through the main entrances or building offices.

3. Evaluate access points and perimeters for authentication and entry.

1. Building, room and gate authentication and entry.

2. Sacaton Elementary School District will provide  appropriate surveillance to mitigate and follow up with potential crisis.

1. Action Step: Evaluating current placement and effectiveness of cameras in the surveillance system.

2. Action Step: Implementing additional cameras where needed.

3. Action Step: Implementing vap and noise detectors in bathrooms.

4. Action Step: Implementing surveillance screens for live view by administration.

3. Sacaton Elementary School District will be prepared to respond to potential crisis.

1. Action Step: Identifying an Emergency Response Plan Coordinator(s).

1. Updating the job description for the Emergency Response Plan Coordinator(s) to include planning as well as management duties.

2. Action Step: Developing  and implementing a District Emergency Crisis Planning Manual.

3. Action Step: Working with response agencies to analyze emergency preparedness using a Planning Committee.

4. Action Step: Implementing an Emergency Response Protocols and Procedures Handbook.

5. Action Step: Identifying and implementing crisis software for notification, identification, and reunification in an emergency situation.

6. Action Step: Providing emergency response and protocol training to appropriate staff for responding in the case of emergencies. 

7. Action Step: Schedule and conduct monthly crisis drills.

4. Sacaton Elementary School District will assess current notification communication systems. 

1. Action Step: Assess current web software for providing emergency information to all stakeholders.

5. Sacaton Elementary School District will provide adequate measures of response to basic medical emergencies. 

1. Action Step:  Assess and implement Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) to meet adequate measures for response to cardiopulmonary  resuscitation.

2. Action Step: Provide basic response training in all buildings

1. AED Training and Use

2. CPR Training

3. First Aid Training

Providing a safe and healthy environment is critical in the development of students. School should be a 100% safe space for all students. At Sacaton Elementary School District we want our parents, grandparents and loved ones to know that the safety of their family here at school is our number one priority. 

BE BRAVE and remember SAFETY FIRST!