If you have District Safety & Security questions or concerns, please contact Brandon Fox, Security Preparedness Manager, at (585) 249-6717 or BFox@penfield.edu.

PCSD is pleased to offer the Safe School Helpline to help ensure the safety and security of our students and staff members. Anyone who has a security or safety concern can anonymously report it by calling the toll free number below, texting the number below, or filling out a web-based form.

This Helpline is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is designed to assist in reporting any wrongdoing that could impact our students, staff or schools. Some examples of situations you may wish to report include specific threats, acts of violence, weapons, theft, drug or alcohol use, sexual harassment/abuse, bullying/cyberbullying, or threats of suicide. Reports will be transcribed and forwarded to the appropriate district officials and/or emergency responders for action.

• Toll free number: 1-800-418-6423, ext. 359 (follow the prompts)
• Text: 614-426-0240 and type “TIPS” to begin the reporting process
• Web form
• The Safe School Helpline app is also available for download in the App Store and Google Play.

The Penfield Central School District has a comprehensive emergency response plan. Emergency procedures are regularly practiced with the faculty, staff and students through a variety of safety drills each year. 

The District consults with many experts in the field of school safety, including the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Brighton Police, and continuously makes improvements as new protocols develop. These emergency plans are provided to, and reviewed with, all local emergency service providers.

In the event of a long-term school closure, the District has developed remote learning plans for elementary, middle and high school students.

The Penfield Central School District routinely works with students and staff members on prevention. The District provides support programs and services for students and staff including counselors, psychologists, social workers and other specialized mental health professionals. The District also supports a variety of community partnerships with mental health and police agencies to offer continued support and to enhance safety and security.

In December 2019, the District formed a Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) at each school as well as at the District level. The purpose of the team is to identify potential threats and to assist students and staff members who are struggling and in need of support. The team is led by PCSD in partnership with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Monroe County Office of Mental Health. 

The team’s philosophy is based on a restorative approach to prevent acts of targeted violence, which balances the safety needs of the school community with the health and wellness of the person at-risk for committing an act of violence against themselves or others. In each case, the team follows a set protocol to identify and discuss the needs of each individual, and to collectively determine appropriate next steps and interventions to address their concerns before they escalate to the level of potential self-harm or harm to others.

The Penfield Central School District uses a mass notification system to provide information to parents and staff through phone calls, voice messages, and emails. This system is used to communicate with parents and staff on issues impacting school safety in a timely and efficient manner.

The District also uses its website and social media accounts, as well as local television stations to share out emergency information when appropriate.