School Safety

Making Akron Public Schools safe and secure is one of our highest priorities. Here are some of the prevention and safety/security measures used in our schools.

Prevention activities:
Bullying Prevention: Bullying behavior affects ALL students. This educational program gives students strategies on how to change their bullying behavior, how to react if they are a "victim" or "target" of bullying behavior, and what "bystanders" should do when observing or witnessing this behavior. It also trains staff in appropriate ways to interact with bullying behaviors in their classrooms. The program is designed to meet the unique needs of each school and works with students at each grade level.

CHARACTER COUNTS!^SM: This national coalition focuses on integrating the six pillars of character (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship) into the community and the schools through role modeling and special programs. Character development is part of Akron Public Schools Strategic Plan.

Conflict Resolution: Conflict resolution curriculum materials teach students the skills to solve conflicts peacefully. The materials used in Akron Public Schools are provided by the Peace Education Foundation and have a parent component titled "Fighting Fair for Families." Fighting Fair teaches parents the same skills and vocabulary taught to students and provides more effective family communication.

Peer Mediation: A minimum of 15 peer mediators are trained in each school in the Akron district. When students are unable to solve problems on their own, peer mediators provide a format for students to solve problems peacefully.

Do The Right Thing: This program is sponsored by the Akron Police Department and recognizes 10 students per month for "doing the right thing." Students are nominated by parents, teachers and community members. Some of our students have been recognized nationally for "doing the right thing."

Safe and Drug Free Schools programs: Funds from the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Community Act are used to provide staff development, student/parent and community training, and curriculum materials in areas such as drug awareness, early intervention, prevention, conflict resolution, peer mediation, character education, student assistance services, school climate and school safety.

Dealing with threats:
All threats (bomb threats or threats by students) are taken very seriously. Akron Public Schools works closely with the Akron Police Department to deal with threat situations if they arise.

All schools are provided with guidelines on how to handle threats by students or calls made to the school.

Safety/security measures:

Police in secondary schools
Metal detectors
Door buzzer entrance systems
APS security department
Crisis intervention team
Grief counseling
Electrical measures:
- Two-way radios
- Cell phones
- Video cameras
- Security cameras in parking lots and on school buses
Liaison with Metro, Akron Police Department and The University of Akron

Although we have a variety of measures in place, we need the assistance of our parents, students and community members. If you hear of any situation or discussion regarding bomb threats, guns or fights, call the school, APS security (330.761.2738) or the police department (330.375.2181) or 9-1-1 immediately.

Providing a safe learning environment for our students
All of us – students, parents, educators and community members – should do our part to make our schools safer. Here's how:

What students can do:

Refuse to bring a weapon to school and report others who do.
Immediately report crime to school authorities or police.
Report suspicious student behavior to teachers or counselors.
Learn to manage your own anger without resorting to violence.
Settle arguments peaceably.
Be a role model for younger students.
Welcome new students and help them to feel at home in your school.
Don't tease other students or call them names.

What parents can do:

If you keep firearms in the home, ensure that they are securely stored.
Take an active role in your child's school by talking with teachers and principals.
Be a role model for your children and their friends.
Show your children how to settle conflicts peacefully.
Insist on knowing your child's friends, whereabouts and activities.
Make your home an inviting place for your children and their friends.
Be sure your children know that you will not tolerate violence from them or their friends.
Set clear limits on behavior in advance.
Discipline children fairly and consistently.

What we do:

We established a "zero tolerance" policy for weapons and violence.
We spell out penalties in advance, including ways for students to report crime-related activity without fear of retaliation.
We offer training in anger management for students and staff.
We encourage teachers to report threats and signs/discussions of weapons or gang behavior.
We established a Code of Student Behavior for students.
We insist that students not resort to name-calling or teasing and continually encourage them to demonstrate respect for their peers.
We invite parents to discuss their children's progress and any concerns they have.

What the rest of us can do:

Adopt a school.
Promote a sense of community within school and the larger community through involvement in school programs and activities.
Work with schools and police to establish safe corridors for students traveling to school.
Provide job opportunities and internships for students.
Provide flexible work hours to allow employees who are parents to meet teachers.
Work with police and schools to identify truants and return them to school or alternate facilities.
Report crimes and gang activities to police immediately.

– tips provided by the Ohio Department of Education