What is Pittsylvania County Schools doing to keep our students and staff safe?
Prepared Schools
Our Division has a Crisis Management Plan that models the guidance from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services’ Center for School and Campus Safety. Our plan includes protocols and procedures to work through safety, security, and various crises. The Division now incorporates the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) produced by the I Love You Guys Foundation into its Crisis/Emergency Management Plan. The SRP is among the best practices advocated by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services’ Center for School and Campus Safety.
Safety Audits
Yearly safety audits are completed at all schools. These audits utilize the Virginia School Safety Inspection Checklist for Virginia Public Schools. The Crisis Management Plan is reviewed yearly and updated accordingly.
Routine Drills
• A lockdown drill is held monthly at each school.
• An unannounced lockdown drill is held at each school once a year.
• A fire drill is held monthly at each school.• A yearly tornado drill is held at each school.
• A yearly earthquake drill is held at each school.
• Unannounced use of Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Dogs to sweep buildings and parking lots.
School Resource Officers (SRO)
We are very appreciative of our partnership with the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office in securing additional school resource officers (SROs) for our schools. Currently, we have SROs in all schools with the exception of Dan River Middle, Gretna Elementary, Hurt Elementary, Pittsylvania Career-Technical Center, and Victory Academy. Each of these schools has ongoing law enforcement presence. The Division has continuing collaborative relationships with the Sheriff’s office and the Towns of Chatham, Gretna, and Hurt Police Departments.
Intercom Electronic Door Locks and Security Vestibules
Grant funds from the Virginia Department of Education have been used to install electronic door locks with video intercom connections at all of our schools. All exterior doors are locked. Visitors must come to the front door and state the purpose for their visit by using the intercom button located on the outside of the building. School staff members inside the school will be able to monitor the video from the intercom, listen to the visitor’s purpose, and appropriately grant access to the visitor. Visitors are asked to come to the front office to complete the visitor check-in process. Your cooperation in this new process is appreciated! In addition, security vestibules are being constructed at all of our buildings. Funds for these projects are derived from the 1% sales-tax referendum.
Key Swipe Locks
Certain exterior doors at each school have electronic key card activation. This allows staff to take students in and out of the building, yet still keep the building secure. Key cards are given to teachers as needed and can be deactivated if lost.
Visitor Tracking Procedure
All Pittsylvania County Schools now use a driver’s license scanner to check in visitors. The system instantly reads their name and performs a sexual offender check. Please help us keep track of visitors to our schools by bringing your driver’s license with you when coming into the building.
Digital Video Cameras
Grant funds from the Virginia Department of Education have been used to install approximately 345 digital video cameras. All Pittsylvania County Schools have multiple digital video cameras installed in various parts of their buildings. These cameras can be monitored remotely by administrators and central office staff. All School Resource Officers (SROs) can view any building at any time. Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office and the Police Departments of Chatham, Gretna, and Hurt have access to these systems in emergency situations. These cameras monitor the schools 24 hours a day - 7 days a week.
Armoured One Anti-Ballistic Film
Beginning in September 2023, work began on the installation of anti-ballistic film on entryways at all school buildings. Funding for this project was secured from the School Security Equipment Grant. Future projects include adding film to other areas.
Bus Cameras
Digital cameras have been purchased and installed on all buses. Buses equipped with digital cameras will monitor the front and rear of each bus. Students will be monitored for their safety through the use of these cameras.