School Police & Safety Home

The Keystone Oaks School District offers the D.A.R.E. Program to all 5th and 6th grade students. 

D.A.R.E. is taught by Keystone Oaks School Police Chief Ron Porupsky and Keystone Oaks School Police Officer Shane McGrath, both of whom have completed the rigorous 80-hour training program and meet the requirements to be a certified D.A.R.E. instructor. 

These instructors will follow D.A.R.E.’s elementary school keepin’ it REAL curriculum, which, as explained on D.A.R.E.’s website, “teaches the foundational skills that youth need to be safe, healthy, and responsible in leading drug-free lives.” 

In the event of an immediate threat or life-threatening emergency situation, you are encouraged to contact 9-1-1.
 

As required by Pennsylvania Act 44 of 2018, the Keystone Oaks School District is participating in the Safe2Say Something Anonymous Reporting System, operated by Pennsylvania's Office of the Attorney General. 

Safe2Say Something is a school safety tool for students, staff, and community members to anonymously report unsafe, potentially harmful, dangers, violent or criminal activities in a school entity or the threat of activities in a school entity. Reports can be made via a mobile app, website, or 24/7 phone line. 

Students, staff, parents, and community members can now submit an anonymous tip through the Safe2Say Something system in one of three ways:

• A mobile app, which is now available for download on Apple and Android devices. 
• The Safe2Say Something website - Safe2saypa
• A 24/7 phone line - 1-844-SAF2SAY (723-2279)

Once the report is made, the crisis center, staffed by the Office of the Attorney General, will review, assess and process all submissions. The crisis center will send all submissions to a team of Keystone Oaks administrators and/or law enforcement for intervention. If needed, the crisis center may contact the tipster anonymously through the app. 

Pennsylvania’s program is part of a national program that was developed by the Sandy Hook Promise. It is designed to teach youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves and to others and to “say something” before it is too late. 

As recommended by the Office of the Attorney General, all Keystone Oaks Middle & High School students and staff members will be trained on the program so as to recognize warning signs/signals and to submit tips. 

More information about the program is available online at Safe2saypa. 

Pennsylvania School Code (Act 44) requires school districts to notify parents/guardians and employees within 24 hours whenever an individual violates the school district’s weapons policy. 

While the law does not require school districts to send notifications when a threat is made against the school, the Keystone Oaks School District has a longstanding practice of sharing this information with families and employees. 

The Keystone Oaks School District works with the Keystone Oaks School Police, as well as local law enforcement agencies in Castle Shannon Borough, Dormont Borough, Green Tree Borough, and Mt. Lebanon regarding any violation of the weapons policy or threat to the school. 

Any safety-related matter is thoroughly investigated by building administrators, and follow-up threat assessments are conducted by each building’s Threat Assessment Team. Violations of District policy result in disciplinary consequences, as outlined in each building’s Student/Parent Handbook and Code of Conduct. 

In an effort to provide the Keystone Oaks community with timely and accurate information, the Keystone Oaks School District has established the following leveled notification process for violations of the district’s weapons policy and threats against our school.

The level is determined by a team that includes the following individuals: 

• Assistant to the Superintendent for Operations
• Assistant to the Superintendent for Student Services
• Building Principal and/or Assistant Principal
• School Police Chief and School Police Officers
• Local Law Enforcement Agency

Level 1: Low-Level Safety Concern

• Violation of the weapons policy, but: 
  • Was not brought with harmful intent
  • Was not displayed or used
  • Presented minimal immediate risk
  • Often accidental in nature
• Examples may include: 
  • A small pocketknife, unintentionally left in a backpack
  • A multi-tool with a blade found in a coat pocket or lunchbox
  • A plastic, foam, or toy replica used as part of a costume or activity
• Non-descriptive or non-targeted threats
  • Threats that are general in nature and do not target any particular school or district
• Example: 
  • Social media post that says “Students in U.S. high schools shouldn’t go to school today.” 
• Communication protocol: 
  • Notification sent to families and staff of the impacted school campus within 24 hours of the incident. 

Level 2: Moderate Safety Concern

• Violation of the weapons policy involving items capable of causing harm that are: 
  • Accessible or visible
  • Handled in an unsafe or irresponsible manner
  • Not used to threaten or injure others
• Examples may include: 
  • A knife found in a locker or backpack
  • A box cutter or razor blade shown to another student
  • A realistic-looking replica weapon
• Threats found within the community, but that do not include specific information. 
• Example: 
  • Note found in a bathroom stall that says, “Don’t come to school tomorrow.” 
• Communication protocol: 
  • Notification sent to families and staff of the impacted school campus the same day the incident occurred, likely before the end of the school day. 

Level 3: Significant Safety Concern

• Violations of the weapons policy including: 
  • Firearms or explosive devices
  • High-risk weapons
  • Any item used, displayed, or referenced in a threatening or intimidating way
• Examples include: 
  • Firearms, including BB guns or airsoft guns
  • Shotguns or rifles
  • Any weapon used to threaten, intimidate, or harm another person
• Threats that are specific in nature (including a school, time, date, etc.) Example: 
  • A social media post, note, or tip with specific information
• Communication Protocol: 
  • Notification sent immediately to families and staff of the impacted school campus
  • Notification sent to District families on the same day the incident occurs, likely before the end of the school day

The Keystone Oaks School District is served by the following community police departments: 

• Castle Shannon Police Department
• Dormont Borough Police Department
• Green Tree Borough Police Department
• Mt. Lebanon Police Department