Safe Schools Against Violence in Education
2023-24 DISTRICT-WIDE
SAFETY PLAN
For Public Review
RHINEBECK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
RHINEBECK, NY 12572
Introduction
Emergencies and violent incidents in school districts are critical issues that must be addressed in an
expeditious and effective manner. School districts are required to develop a district-wide school
safety plan designed to prevent or minimize the effects of serious violent incidents and emergencies
and to facilitate the coordination of the school district with local and county resources in the event of
such incidents or emergencies. This district-wide plan has been developed to be responsive to the
needs of all schools within the district and consistent with the more detailed emergency response
plans required at the school building level.
School districts stand at risk from a wide variety of acts of violence, as well as natural and
technological disasters. To address these threats, the State of New York has enacted the Safe Schools
Against Violence in Education (SAVE) law. Project SAVE is a comprehensive planning effort that
addresses risk reduction/ prevention, response, and recovery with respect to a variety of emergencies
in the school district and its schools.
The Rhinebeck Central School District supports the SAVE Legislation and has committed to full and
active participation in the planning process. The Superintendent of Schools encourages and advocates
on-going district-wide cooperation and support of Project SAVE.
Section I: General Considerations and Planning Guidelines
A. Purpose
The Rhinebeck Central School’s District-Wide Safety Plan was developed pursuant to
Commissioner’s Regulation 155.17. At the direction of the Rhinebeck Board of Education, the
Superintendent, who serves as the Chief Emergency Officer, has appointed a District-Wide School
Safety Committee and charged it with the development and maintenance of the District-Wide School
Safety Plan. The Chief Emergency Officer is responsible for coordinating communication between
staff and law enforcement and first responders, and for ensuring staff understanding of the District-
Wide Safety Plan. The Chief Emergency Officer also is responsible for ensuring completion and
yearly update of Building-Level Response Plans.
B. Identification of School Teams
The Rhinebeck Central School District has created a District-Wide School Safety Committee
consisting of, but not limited to, teacher, administrator, parent, school safety personnel, and other
school personnel representatives. The members of the team and their positions or affiliations are as
follows:
Teachers: Michael Rocco; David Jutton; Scott Stiverson
Pupil Personnel Staff: Nicholas Montany; Megan Rodier.
Administrators: Tom Burnell; Marc Burg; Sheldon Tieder; Brett King.
Other: Teresa Costakis (School Nurse); Beth Heady (Greeter). Ken Scattergood (School
Resource Officer – RPD).
Board of Education – Diane Lyons
Superintendent/Chief Emergency Officer: Albert Cousins
C. Concept of Operations
The District-Wide Safety Plan is directly linked to the Building-Level Emergency Response Plans for
each school building (Chancellor Livingston Elementary School and Bulkeley Middle School/
Rhinebeck High School). Protocols reflected in the District-Wide Safety Plan will guide the
development and implementation of individual Building-Level Emergency Response Plans.
In the event of an emergency or violent incident, the initial response to all emergencies at an
individual school will be by the School Emergency Response Team.
Upon the activation of the School Emergency Response Team, the Superintendent or his/her designee
will be notified and, where appropriate, local emergency officials will also be notified. Efforts may
be supplemented by County and State resources if deemed necessary.
D. Plan Review and Public Comment
Pursuant to Commissioner’s Regulation 155.17 (e)(3), this plan was made available for public
comment on June 20, 2001, more than 30 days prior to its adoption. The School Board adopted the
District-Wide and Building-Level plans after a public hearing on July 31, 2001 that provided for the
participation of school personnel, parents, students and any other interested parties. The plan was
formally adopted by the Board of Education on July 31, 2001 following the required public hearing
held earlier that evening.
This plan is reviewed and maintained by the District School Safety Team. A review of the plan is
completed annually on or before July 1 of each year and is approved by the Board of Education
during July of each year, at least 30 days after the revised Plan is available. A copy of the approved
Plan is available in the Superintendent’s office.
While linked to the District-Wide Safety Plan, the Building-Level Emergency Response Plans
shall be confidential and shall not be subject to disclosure under Article 6 of the Public Officers
Law or any other provision of law, in accordance with Education Law Section 2801-a. Full
copies of the District-Wide Safety Plan and any amendments will be submitted to the New York State
Education Department within 30 days of adoption. Building-Level Emergency Response Plans will
be supplied to both local and State Police within 30 days of adoption.
Section II: Risk Reduction/Prevention and Intervention
Risk Reduction/Prevention and Intervention is comprised of activities that are taken prior to an
emergency or disaster to eliminate the possibility of the occurrence, or reduce the impact of such
emergency should it occur.
A. Prevention/Intervention Strategies
Program Initiatives
A school wide culture that supports positive learning opportunities for all children and youth is
critical. This entails assessing special needs among students who behave inappropriately, referring
them to appropriate services and interventions as needed, supporting the development of skills for
future employment, and developing working relationships with parents, families and communities.
Young people have a variety of emotional needs that they bring to school. Some of these needs may
be met in school through encounters with peers and school staff (teachers, psychologists, social
workers, and counselors), while other needs require proper assessment and referral to community
services. If these needs are handled effectively, students are less likely to engage in negative
behavior.
Skills training will be offered to students and staff, as appropriate, in social interaction, problem
solving, coping, communication, resisting peer influence, substance abuse prevention, understanding
values, respect for individual differences, countering bias, anger management, conflict resolution, and
peer mediation. Instruction and skills training can be effectively combined using interactive and
engaging learning strategies. A grade-level training matrix for student training will be developed by
the Building Principals and the Superintendent of Schools and will be reviewed annually. A schedule
of training opportunities will be communicated through building-level publications such as
newsletters, handbooks, and e-mails.
Training, Drills, and Exercises
The Rhinebeck Central School District shall arrange to provide multi-hazard school training for
the instructional and non-instructional staff of each school. Such training shall include a review of
the Rhinebeck High School/Bulkeley Middle School and the Chancellor Livingston Elementary
School’s Emergency Response Plan, the Building Crisis Packet (available in each room), and the
Emergency Management Plan - Quick Reference Guide at the beginning of the school year and/or at
the time of hire by all instructional and non-instructional staff, including substitute staff. In addition,
violence prevention training and crisis intervention training will be provided to the instructional and
non-instructional staff as part of the district’s professional development plan program. Additional
training may be required via workshops that provide instruction in relevant disciplines, such as proper
restraint techniques and the de-escalation of violent incidents.
The District employs two part-time School Resource Officers (SROs) through a contract with the
Rhinebeck Police Department. The School Resource Officers:
assist in bringing assembly programs and speakers to students;
serve as guest speakers in classes in social studies, health, college and careers on: careers in
law enforcement, law, health and safety;
serve on the RHS/BMS, CLS Building Safety Teams and the District Safety Team;
participate in and consult on safety drills;
consult with building administrators regarding school and student safety, potential criminal
violations and school responses, and motor vehicle and parking safety;
interact with students during unstructured time (lunch, corridors) in order to establish positive
relationships;
assist in chaperoning the annual junior/senior prom.
In addition, teacher aides and monitors serve in various related capacities in the District, including
supervising the greeter station in each building, providing identifying badges to visitors, directing
visitors to their destinations, monitoring the student and visitor traffic in each building, and ensuring
that visitors sign out and return their badges upon leaving the building.
Staff members who serve in this capacity receive training from the building principals as to their
duties at the beginning of each school year. In the elementary school, middle school, and high
school, they are equipped with radios and telephones with which to access the school office, building
administrators, and other members of the building staff as needed. The hiring and screening process
for these employees is the same as for any other staff member, including teacher aides who do not
serve in this capacity. The hiring and screening process involves the mandatory fingerprint and
criminal background check required of all employees.
Primary responsibility for student discipline is delegated to the school district’s building principals
and other designated and certified school administrators. Other school employees, as well as School
Resource Officers, collaborate with the school district’s building principals and other designated and
certified school administrators in a support role as requested by those administrators.
Working relationships with local and state police regarding the implementation of school safety
and security have been established and will continue to be developed and strengthened.
Each school facility shall hold:
at least eight (8) evacuation drills;
at least two (2) AED drills;
at least four (4) lockdown drills;
at least one (1) severe weather drill;
.
These drills will be held at regular as well as inopportune times, and will utilize a variety of blocked
exits, as appropriate, to take care of almost any situation. At least one of the evacuation drills will
occur between classes. Each member of the faculty shall take his/her attendance register or class
record when a drill is conducted. Immediately upon arrival at a prescribed point, the faculty member
shall check the students to see that all students are present. A report of absentees shall be made
immediately to the building principal or his/her designee.
Evaluation of all drills will be conducted after each and every drill. Evaluation records will be
kept for each drill, including the times for the evacuation of the facility, in order to ascertain
whether or not the drill is running in a timely manner and according to plan. Administrative staff
and other observers will be placed to evaluate the student and staff participation in order to make
recommendations for the improvement of these drills.
Everyone in the facility, including other employees, instructors not in the regular classrooms,
and visitors, must obey the instructions in the room or area they occupy when the alarm or
notification is given.
Implementation of School Security
All exterior doors will be secured to limit building access to the main entrance of each facility. A
controlled building access system has been implemented at both of the District’s school buildings, for
which all exterior doors are locked during school hours, and students, school staff, and visitors are
admitted through a locked single point of entry at the main entrance of each school building after
“buzzing in” by the building’s greeters. A two way audio/video system has been installed and is in
operation for the use of the greeters, and the office staff as needed, for screening individuals
requesting entry into the school building during school hours. Screening will involve requiring all
individuals requesting entry into the building to provide to the greeters, or office staff as needed, with
information as to the nature of the visitor’s business in the school building at that time, before
unlocking the doors and providing access.
All visitors during the school day will be required to sign in at the greeter station at the main entrance
of each school building immediately upon admittance to the school building. Anyone who is not a
regular staff member or a student of the school will be considered a visitor. This includes parents/
relatives, contractors, vendors, delivery personnel, and other individuals.
Upon the visitor signing in, the greeter will provide the visitor with a badge identifying the individual
as a visitor, to be worn conspicuously by the visitor throughout the course of the visit. The greeter
will contact the visitors destination to confirm that the visitor is expected and to notify the office staff
of the visitor’s imminent arrival. Upon leaving, the visitor will sign out at the greeter station and
return the visitor’s badge to the greeter. The names of visitors who do not sign out and return the
visitor’s badge provided to them at check-in will be reported to the building principal as soon as
possible.
Visitors, even though they have signed in and are wearing a visitor’s badge, are not allowed to
wander through the facilities. A staff member who observes a visitor who appears lost or who
otherwise may appear to be walking through the building with no apparent purpose will address the
visitor by asking, “May I help you?” The staff member will then provide assistance in the form
of directions or direct the visitor to the main office. If a staff member observes suspicious,
threatening and/or otherwise inappropriate behavior, such behavior should be reported immediately
to the main office for a response from the building principal or his/her designee.
Student visitors from other schools, unless they have a specific reason and prior approval of the
Building Administrator or his/her designee, are not permitted to enter school buildings. Anyone
who violates any provisions of the Rhinebeck Central School Code of Conduct is subject to
appropriate penalties, up to and including reprimand, ejection, arrest and/or criminal prosecution.
Locks on interior classroom doors will be kept in the locked position at all times, whether or not the
door is open or shut, in order to provide for an immediate response to a shelter-in-place
announcement.
Procedures for maintaining the security of the facility, as well as procedures for radio use, will be
regularly tested by the building principal or his/her designee.
Vital Educational Agency Information
Each of the three schools within the Rhinebeck Central School District collects and maintains
vital educational information, such as student enrollment and the number of staff and teaching
stations. The only non-public schools within the boundaries of the Rhinebeck Central School District
is the Primrose Hill School on Route 9 North. Transportation needs are assessed by the school
business official in conjunction with the building principals. The Business Office maintains and
updates listings of home and work telephone numbers for key personnel throughout the agency. Data
on student populations, number of staff, transportation needs and the business and home telephone
numbers of key district officials is included in Appendix A and will be updated at least annually and
more frequently as needed.
B. Early Detection of Potentially Violent Behaviors
The early detection of potentially violent students shall be facilitated through professional
development offerings provided for the Rhinebeck Central School District staff.
All teachers and non-instructional staff members are provided with training each year regarding their
building’s Emergency Response Plan, also including School Violence Prevention training, prior to
September 15 of each school year. Updated training in this area will be provided annually. In
addition, staff members who supervise students in non-academic areas, such as on playgrounds and in
cafeterias are provided with conflict intervention training through the Dutchess County BOCES.
Conflict intervention training for teacher aides will be provided and updated annually.
In addition, a series of workshops have been held as part of an ongoing initiative to provide
interested parents and community members with information to assist in the improvement of
student social skills, with a focus on listening, communicating, and bullying.
Before the end of the first week of each academic year, teachers will familiarize themselves with all
available information and records about the regular education and/or special education program
placement of every student in their class. Instructional and non-instructional staff who are concerned
about the behavior of a student will communicate with their building principal if the situation so
warrants. The building principal will then communicate appropriate information to other staff
members on a need-to-know basis. The staff member will proceed to work with that student on the
basis of these consultations and information.
C. Hazard Identification
Both of the Rhinebeck Central School District’s buildings (Chancellor Livingston Elementary
School and Bulkeley Middle School/Rhinebeck High School) have been evaluated for the
location of potential hazards, both on and off school grounds. This hazard identification shall be
updated at least once a year.
A listing of Sites of Potential Emergency for the Areas surrounding the Rhinebeck Central
School District facilities is included in the Emergency Preparedness Plan, located in the District
Office. There is a listing of the hazardous roadways in proximity to the school buildings as well
as the hazardous intersections.
The District has fuel oil tanks that are located on the elementary school campus (1 above-ground tank
with a capacity of 4,000 gallons of #2 fuel oil) and on the middle school/high school campus (1
below-ground tank with a capacity of 12,000 gallons of #2 fuel oil). Propane tanks are located
adjacent to the middle school and the Physics classroom. The middle school/high school has
classrooms that include a variety of chemicals and solvents that are used for instruction. Safety Data
Sheets are located in each building. In the Chancellor Livingston Elementary School building, they
are located in the main office. In the Bulkeley Middle School/Rhinebeck High School building, they
are located in the office of the Director of Facilities.
There are no storage facilities for hazardous chemicals adjacent to other District facilities that have
been identified by either the County Emergency Preparedness Office or the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation.
Section III: Response
Every emergency requires an appropriate response by school officials. Protocols can be found in the
Building Level Emergency Response Plan (located in the main office of each school building), the
Emergency Preparedness Plan (located in the district office), and the District Quick Reference Plan
(provided to each employee at the beginning of the school year and posted in each classroom). The
Communications outline will include the notification of the building administrator, the
Superintendent, local fire, police and emergency services, as appropriate.
In the event of an emergency situation, the District will work with local government officials for
obtaining advice and assistance. In an emergency, the Superintendent of Schools, as the Chief
Emergency Officer, or his/her designee, will contact the highest ranking local government official, as
appropriate to the situation, i.e. the County executive, the Mayor of Rhinebeck and/or the Town
Supervisor of the town in which the emergency situation has occurred. In addition, the District will
contact the appropriate agencies (i.e. police departments, fire departments, the Red Cross, mental
health providers, religious organizations, etc.) to obtain advice and assistance in the event of an
emergency.
A. Notification and Activation (Internal and External Communications)
In the event of an emergency, such as a fire, choking, a heart attack, a display of weapons, a
shooting or stabbing, or a traffic accident, anyone with access to an outside telephone line first
will contact emergency services by dialing 911 and then will notify the Building Principal. In the
event of a pending emergency, the Building Principal will be notified first. The Building Principal or
his/her designee then will contact emergency services, if appropriate, by dialing 911. He or she then
will notify the Superintendent of Schools and other local law enforcement officials as the situation
warrants. Local law enforcement agencies include the New York State Police (876-4033 – Rhinebeck
barracks; 677-7300 – Millbrook barracks), the Dutchess County Sheriffs (486-3800) and the
Rhinebeck Police Department (876-8181).
The Emergency Response Team also will be notified at the beginning of the incident. The Building
Principal can refer to the Emergency Response Plan and/or the District Quick Reference Plan for
the proper sequence for notification. After the initial response to the emergency, the sequence for
official notification for the majority of incidents will be as follows:
Building Principal
Superintendent
School Business Official
Director of Facilities
Appropriate Emergency Services
Each Building Principal, before leaving the building for any reason, will designate an individual
administrator or other staff member to act in his/her place should an emergency occur. Building
office staff will be informed of the name of the principal’s designee before the principal leaves the
building. The Superintendent of Schools will do likewise. It will be the responsibility of the
Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee to ensure that each of the District’s three building
principals or their designees is informed, through the use of telephone, fax, and or radio, of a disaster
or other emergency identified in the Plan.
The Building Level Emergency Response Plans have been prepared in cooperation with the local
authorities, local police agencies, and/or the New York State Police.
Information of severe weather such as, but not limited to, tornadoes, storms, and blizzards, as well as
national emergencies and other emergencies which can be foretold, will be received in the
superintendent’s office. The use of a NOAA Weather Radio will be used. At the building level, a
radio with battery backup will also be tuned to the Emergency Broadcast System.
It will be the duty of the Building Principal or his/her designee to notify faculty, students, staff and
others when it is necessary to respond to either internal or external situations. Hand held radios,
telephones and/or the intercom system can be used to notify staff of any procedures to be followed.
Notification of incidents can be made to the Superintendent’s office via telephone, fax or e-mail
messages. Parents will be notified by the Building Principal or his/her designee after an incident is
stable and under control. For small group notification, a telephone may be used.
Regardless of the nature of the incident, all inquiries from the media should be referred to the
Superintendent’s office. Staff training in the District Safety Plan will emphasize this aspect of the
communications protocol. Such inquiries will be addressed by the Superintendent of Schools, in the
capacity of the Chief Emergency Officer, or, in his/her absence, the Assistant Superintendent for
Support Services, the Director of Facilities, or one of the District’s available Building Principals,
starting first with the High School Principal, then the Middle School Principal, and then the
Elementary Principal.
In the event of a critical incident, the Superintendent of Schools, as the Chief Emergency Officer, or
his/her designee, will complete an incident report form in anticipation of contact by members of the
media. The incident report will outline the date, time, location, and type of incident, and what
agencies have been contacted. As time permits, a press release based upon the information contained
within the incident report form will be developed and disseminated via fax, telephone, e-mail or in
person to members of the media. A list of area media contacts will be developed by the
Superintendent for this purpose.
Depending upon the nature of the critical incident, the school district’s attorneys will be contacted for
on-site consultation, as appropriate. As already outlined in this plan, emergency service providers
and local officials will already have been contacted as required.
When representatives of the media arrive at the site of the critical incident, the Superintendent or
his/her designee will designate a location and format for meeting with them to provide an incident
report and answer appropriate questions. The location will be determined by the Superintendent or
his/her designee and will be dictated by the nature and location of the critical incident. Depending
upon the nature of the incident, the media briefing area could be in the Superintendent’s office, in one
of the two school buildings, outside one of the District’s two school buildings, at a designated off-site
command post, or adjacent to the off-campus incident site.
If it becomes necessary to close school before the regular closing time, such information will be
announced. The primary notification will come as an email and text alert through SchoolMessenger.
It will also be shared on the District’s Twitter feed, the District Facebook page, and the District
website (www.rhinebeckcsd.org). Parents may then expect their children to be transported home
according to the announced schedule.
In grades K-5, parents, guardians and persons in parental relation complete emergency early
dismissal cards at the beginning of each year. These students are dismissed in accordance with the
directions provided by each individual parent, guardian or person in parental relation. This could
include telephoning a parent or other emergency contact and/or riding a bus to a different-thannormal
destination. Management of the emergency early dismissal process is the responsibility of
each of the Building Principals and/or his/her designee. If schools are closed during the school day,
after-school and evening activities are canceled unless otherwise announced.
B. Situational Responses
The appropriate responses for this section could include the use of the sheltering, lock down,
evacuation or go home procedures, as outlined in the Building Emergency Response Plans and/or the
District Quick Reference Plan. A log of all medical treatment provided to students or staff will
be kept by the school nurse in each building. An incident report will be filed by the Building
Principal with the Superintendent immediately after each emergency incident so that response
protocols can be reviewed, assessed and modified as needed.
Multi-Hazard Response
The guiding principles for emergency planning are: a holding action designed to contain the situation,
keeping children and staff isolated from the situation, communication with the proper authorities; and
finally, restoring normal activities.
Emergency Plans are broken down into five separate categories: Civil Disturbances,
Environmental Problems, Fire and Explosion, Systems Failures and Medical Emergencies.
Civil Disturbances
An emergency caused by an action, which requires an appropriate response by school officials. The
following are covered in this section:
Bomb Threat
Hostage
Intruder
Kidnapped Person
The guiding principles for emergency planning are: holding action to contain the situation; keeping
children away from the situation; communicating with the proper authorities; and finally, restoring
normal activities. If it becomes necessary to respond to civil disturbances, the school administrators
may rely on one of the following responses: shelter, lockdown, lock out, evacuation, go home.
Environmental Problems
An emergency caused by a naturally occurring or man-made environmental problem requires an
appropriate response by school officials. The following occurrences are addressed in this section:
Air Pollution
Drought
Earthquake
Flood
Oil/Gasoline Spill
Radiological Incident
Storm – Snow / Ice / Wind / Hurricane
Thunderstorm / Lightning Storm
Tornado
Toxic Material Spill
Water Contamination
The guiding principles for response are protection of life first, then the preservation of property,
including restoration to normal activities. The fire department, local police, State Emergency
Management Office, Federal Emergency Management Office and/or environmental specialists will
communicate, evaluate, and make the necessary arrangements with the Superintendent, or his/her
designee, and the Director of Facilities for control, clean up, remediation, and disposal of any
materials, if needed.
The appropriate responses for this section could include the use of sheltering, lock down,
Evacuation, or go-home protocols.
Fire and Explosion
A fire or explosion in a building, or even a false alarm, will interrupt and disrupt school building
activities. The effects may be minor, as in the case of a false alarm, but could be significant, as in the
case of a fire or explosion. Emergency guidelines, ranging from minor to major occurrences, are
included in this section:
False Fire Alarm
Fire
Explosion
In each case, the guiding principles for emergency planning are protection of life first, then
preservation of property, including restoration of normal activities.
Systems Failure
The failure of a building’s structural or mechanical system will interrupt and disrupt normal building
activities. A failure or malfunction may be minor, temporary in nature, and readily or easily
corrected, or may be major, create emergency conditions, and involve extensive or extended
corrective work. Emergency guidelines, ranging from minor to major occurrences, are included in
this section for the following facility failures:
Electrical Failure
Energy Loss or Governmentally Imposed Fuel Shortage
Heating System Failure (Loss of Heat)
Roofing System Failure (Leak)
Sewage System Failure
Water System Failure
Gas Leak
Structural Failure
The guiding principles for emergency planning are the protection of life first, then the preservation of
property, including restoration to normal activities.
Medical Emergency
A medical emergency is the result of a minor or major illness or injury to an individual(s) and can be
of such severity as to be life threatening or merely cause the victim discomfort or pain. Emergency
guidelines are included in this section for the following:
Allergic Reaction
15
Animal Bite
Bleeding
Blow to the Head
Broken Bones
Burns
Choking
Diabetic Shock
Drowning
Electric Shock
Epidemic
Epileptic Convulsions
Food Poisoning
Head Lice
Heart Attack
Respiratory Arrest
School Bus Accident and/or Fire
Shock
Chemical/Toxic Exposure
The guiding principles are to provide appropriate emergency care until competent medical or parental
care is secured. Emergency care is not authorized beyond proper first aid. First Aid is the treatment
that will protect the life and comfort of the victim until authorized medical treatment is available or,
in the case of a student, until the child is placed under the care of a parent or legal guardian. An
effective medical emergency program should be based on medically and educationally sound
procedures. Some of the components of such a program are:
• Signed instructions for emergencies from parents, and/or legal guardians will be made available,
including name and date of birth of the child; name, address and telephone number where one or
both parents may be reached at home and at work; name, address, and telephone number of
another person who has agreed to care for the child if the parent or guardian cannot be reached;
name, address, and telephone number of the family physician (or Christian Science Practitioner),
a list of medical problems, allergies, and daily medication needs, and any special condition which
should require special handling. Parents are requested to verify and/or update this information at
the beginning of each school year through a mailing to the home of each district student.
• A list will be maintained by the school nurse of all students and staff having special medical
problems such as hypersensitivity to allergens, diabetes, epilepsy, allergy to bee stings, etc.
• The Building Principal will ensure that all school personnel and students are informed of the
location of the school nurse. In the event of a health emergency requiring immediate assistance,
staff members should call 5911 from the telephone in any school district room to mobilize the
Emergency Response Team in that school. Individuals have the capability of dialing 911 directly
from any telephone within the school district, should the need arise.
• Written instructions in first aid procedures for choking or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
will be made available to all school personnel. Each teacher will have a copy in his or her room
for reference. Copies will be posted in the health office and food services areas, maintenance
department and administrative office.
• “Bleeding Apply Pressure” kits have been assembled and have been located in all AED/CPR
stations in each school building across the school district, as well as in the nurses’ offices for use
by the school nurse and first responders in the event of an emergency situation requiring such first
aid.
Responses to Implied or Direct Threats of Violence
The Rhinebeck Central School District expects a high standard of behavior from its students, faculty,
and staff, as well as visitors to the school facility and grounds. The school district will enforce the
District Code of Conduct, which governs the behavior of all persons, whether or not their presence is
authorized, upon any premises or property under the control of the district and used in its teaching,
administration, and cultural, recreational, athletic and/or other programs and activities. A copy of the
Code of Conduct is available in the main office of each school building as well as in the district
office.
In the event of an implied or direct threat of violence, the following protocol will be implemented:
• The threat will be reported to the Building Principal or his/her designee, either directly or
through a member of the school staff.
• The Building Principal or his/her designee will immediately investigate the report of an
implied or direct threat. Such investigation will involve interviewing witnesses to the threat,
including students and/or staff, as appropriate to the nature of the threat.
• The Building Principal will use the information collected during the initial investigation to
make a determination as to the threat’s degree of severity. Input from school-based mental
health professionals, as well as the prior behavior of the individual implying or issuing the
threat, will be considered in making this determination.
• If the threat’s degree of severity is determined to be minor, the individual implying or issuing
the threat will be provided with a warning. If the individual is a student, his/her parent or
guardian will be contacted by the Building Principal or his/her designee and will document
the incident in a letter to the parent or guardian.
• If the threat’s degree of severity is determined to be major, the local law enforcement agency
will be notified and asked for their assistance in completing the investigation and addressing
the implied or direct threat. The student will be suspended from school for a period of time
consistent with the District’s Code of Conduct. Parent contact and written documentation will
be implemented as for a minor threat.
Any emergency caused by an action of an individual or individuals requires an appropriate response
by school officials. Protocols can be found in the Building Level Emergency Response Plan and the
District Quick Reference Plan. The Communications outline will also include the notification of the
Building Principal (or his/her designee), the Superintendent of Schools (or his/her designee), and
local fire, police and emergency services, as appropriate.
Responses to Acts of Violence
In the event of an act of violence, the following protocol will be implemented:
• The act of violence will be reported immediately to the Building Principal or his/her designee.
• The Building Principal or his/her designee will respond immediately to the act of violence,
depending upon the nature of the violent act, in a manner that attempts to ensure the safety of
all students and adults in the building. Based upon the available information, this may include
reporting to the location of the violent act and addressing the violent act, implementing efforts
to isolate the individual if possible, as appropriate. It may also involve initiating the
procedures for a building lockdown or “shelter in place” procedure and contacting area police
agencies to request their assistance.
• Once the area has been secured, either by school or police personnel, depending upon the
violent incident, the police personnel and/or the building principal or his/her designee will
immediately investigate the act of violence. For the Building Principal or his/her designee,
such investigation will involve interviewing witnesses to the act of violence, including
students and/or staff, as appropriate to the nature of the violent incident.
• If the individual(s) involved are students, their parents or guardians will be contacted by the
Building Principal or his/her designee and will document the incident in a letter to the parent
or guardian. The student(s) will be suspended from school for a period of time consistent with
the District’s Code of Conduct. In consultation with area police agencies, legal action against
the individuals committing the act of violence may be pursued, depending upon the nature of
the incident.
Response Protocols
In the event of an emergency telephone call such as:
Bomb Threat
Fire emergency
Hostage Situation
Intruder
or other emergency received in any Rhinebeck Central School District facility, the individual
providing the coverage at the desk or receiving the telephone call is to immediately contact the
administrator in charge. Calls to the remainder of the chain of command should then commence:
Superintendent of Schools
School Business Official
Director of Facilities
Emergency Agencies & Services Available in Dutchess County
For ALL EMERGENCIES in Dutchess County, dial 911. This includes police, fire and ambulance.
911 can be accessed from all telephones in the school district.
Other Emergency Numbers
Chemtrec 800 424-9300
National Response Center –Oil & Toxic Chemical Spill 800 424-8802
Pesticide Service Center 800 858-7378
Federal Bureau of Investigation 845 565-0015
American Red Cross 471-0200 or 800 564-0277
Poison Control Center 353-1000 or 800 336-6997
Domestic Violence / Child Abuse Hotline 800 942-6906
Suicide Hotline (adolescent) 800 621-4000
Teen Hotline / Help Line 800 767-6336
Department of Environmental Conservation 800 457-7362
Central Hudson 800 527-2714
Gas Odors 800 942-8274
Procedures to Coordinate the Use of School District Resources and Manpower during
Emergencies
A listing of all resources by building is located in the District-Wide Safety Plan Plan. This includes
The emergency equipment available such as batteries, food supplies, water, fire extinguishers, etc. A
listing is also available of the Total Transportation Services school bus fleet and District vehicles for
evacuation purposes.
In the event of an emergency, phone numbers are listed for the Director of Facilities. In addition,
in the event of an emergency, the Superintendent of Schools has been authorized to afford maximum
protection that is reasonably attainable for all students, staff, and facilities. This includes the
development and implementation of an emergency plan for the protection of all students, faculty and
all buildings and grounds and the physical assets of the District.
The Total Transportation school bus fleet consists of 12 buses assigned to home-to-school runs (11
large, 1 small) with an adult seating capacity of 812 (66 per large bus, 20 per small bus).
District vehicles include 3 (three) pick-up trucks and 1 (one), each with a capacity of 3 (three)
passengers per vehicle including the driver.
Each school has a gymnasium that could be used for sheltering purposes. In addition, the
gymnasiums in the middle school and the high school are equipped with locker rooms. A kitchen and
a cafeteria are located at the elementary school. The middle school/high school building has two
cafeterias, each with a kitchen. All district kitchens are equipped for food storage, meal preparation,
and meal service. Food would have to be brought in from other sources for a prolonged period of
time.
There is telephone communication between all offices and classrooms in both buildings. There is
also intercom communication in both buildings. The main offices in each school have hand-held
radio communication with one another, with the District Office, and with Buildings and Grounds
personnel. The District Office has direct radio communication with Total Transportation Services
There are no generators located at the CLS campus. Therefore, electricity would be needed to run all
CLS building systems except for water, as this is supplied by the Village/Town of Rhinebeck
municipal water system. A generator has been installed at BMS/RHS, allowing the entire BMS/RHS
building will be able to be operated by generator power in an emergency situation.
Notification to the Director of Facilities will allow all resources, facilities and vehicles to be
allocated and used in the event of an emergency.
Protective Action Options
During certain conditions, the nature of the emergency may demand that classes be dismissed or
cancelled. The nature of some events may include that students and staff be evacuated from the
building. They will walk or be transported to, and housed temporarily in, another District building.
Should all District buildings need to be evacuated, students and staff will walk or be transported to,
and housed temporarily in, in another alternate location, such as the Village Hall (high school), the
Town Hall (middle school), and the Dutchess County Fairgrounds (elementary school).
The following is the procedure to be implemented:
• The Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee, in consultation with the Building Principal or
his/her designee, will make the decision to evacuate.
• The Building Principal/designee will notify the local police and fire departments, if and
as appropriate.
• The Superintendent will notify the Building Administrator at the alternative school district
site or the appropriate official(s) at the off-campus alternative site(s).
• Teachers will assemble students at the designated assembly site outside the evacuated school
building.
• Teachers/staff will be dispatched to the alternative site(s) to prepare receiving areas.
• Teachers will walk students to the designated alternative site, take attendance, and report
attendance to the Building Principal and his/her designee.
• The Superintendent will notify the media and post the information on the internet to inform
the parents of the evacuation and the site location for student pick –up.
School Cancellation/Early Dismissal Plan
• Cancellation of Classes/Notification of “No School”
If severe blizzard, heavy snow storm, ice conditions or flooding occur during the night or threaten to
occur during the early morning hours, which have made or would make driving hazardous, and such
conditions are known by 6 AM, a “School Delay” or “No School” announcement will be made over
the area radio and television stations, and via the internet on the school district website
(www.rhinebeckcsd.org), on the District Twitter feed and Facebook page, and on the
Cancellations.com website (www.cancellations.com), as well as made available on the school
district’s telephone system’s auto-attendant for each building. Responsibility for this decision and
notification shall be the Superintendent of Schools and/or his designee. The Assistant Superintendent
for Support Services will also notify Total Transportation Services of this decision as early as
possible.
• Dismissal During the School Day
If, during the school day, a weather or other situation threatens and/or develops that would jeopardize
the health and safety of the school children, schools may be closed earlier than the usual dismissal
time. In that event, an “Early Dismissal” announcement will be made over the area radio and
television stations, and via the internet on the school district website (www.rhinebeckcsd.org), on the
District Twitter feed and Facebook page, and on the Cancellations.com website
(www.cancellations.com). School buses will transport the children to their after-school destinations
in the usual afternoon dismissal order. Parents would then expect their children to arrive home before
the regular arrival time.
Evacuation Procedures/Sheltering Sites (internal and external)
In the case of tornado or national emergency, or other type of emergency requiring persons to
stay in the building, the Building Principal shall initiate the necessary actions upon notification
that his school is threatened. Students, faculty, and other employees at the school will go
immediately to their designated stations previously assigned.
During certain conditions, the nature of the emergency may demand that students and staff be
evacuated from the facility. They will then be moved to and housed in another district
building or in another alternate location, such as the Village Hall, the Town Hall, and the fairgrounds.
In certain circumstances, evacuation may mean only going outside, away from the building
and waiting for danger to pass. The following is the procedure that will be followed:
• The Superintendent or his/her designee, in consultation with the Building Principal,
will make the decision to “Evacuate”.
• The Building Principal/designee will notify the local police and fire departments and
the Emergency Response Team, if and as appropriate.
• If students are to be transported beyond walking distance, the Superintendent or his/her
designee will notify Total Transportation for buses to transport children to the new
destination.
• The Superintendent or his/her designee of the evacuating facility will notify the Building
Principal at the alternate site or the official at the off-campus alternate site(s).
• The Building Principal will then evacuate the building.
• Teachers will walk all students to the assembly area (ball field or playground away from
the building).
• Each member of the faculty shall take his/her attendance register.
• Students will line up in an orderly fashion and attendance will be taken.
• School personnel will be dispatched to the alternate site to prepare receiving areas.
EVACUATION SITES SHELTERING (PRIMARY/ALTERNATE)
Elementary School Middle School/Rhinebeck High School (primary, if
available),
Fairgrounds (alternate, if BMS/RHS unavailable)
Middle School/High School Elementary School (primary, if available), Village Hall
(alternate for high school, if CLS unavailable), Town Hall
(alternate for middle school, if CLS unavailable)
In the event of an evacuation, the Superintendent or his designee will notify the area media to inform
the parents of the evacuation, of the site location for student transportation or pick up, and of the
timetable for dismissal. Upon arrival at the alternate site, students will be directed to a specific
location. Each teacher will take attendance and forward the record to the Building Principal or his/her
designee. If conditions permit, the children will be returned to the school for a normal dismissal.
• Dismissal from the Alternate Site
If parents arrive to pick up their children, they will give the name and grade of their child to the staff
member assigned to monitor the entrance of the alternate site location and then be directed to the
correct area for pick up. Buses will arrive at the alternate site location to transport children to their
after-school destinations on a schedule to be determined by the situation requiring the evacuation. If
the crisis persists past 2:00 pm, children will have to wait for the normal dismissal schedule in order
to be transported from the alternate site location.
The alternate site location will be inspected by the Building Principal and his/her designee and staff
to ensure that all children have been evacuated. Upon final building inspection, the school personnel
will be released by the Building Principal or his/her designee on a need basis. The Building Principal
or his/her designee will provide a status report to the Superintendent or his/her designee upon
departure of the last school personnel from the alternate site location.
Protocols for a Public Health Emergency
In September 2020, Governor Cuomo signed legislation requiring all public employers to create plans
to adequately protect workers in the event of another state disaster emergency involving a
communicable disease. The new legislation will constitute New York State Labor Law Section 27-c,
and served as a response to the effects of the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Spring
of 2020. In addition to 27-C, the following section was added to 2801-a of the Education Law that
required additions to the District Plan.
As per Legislative language, operation plans must include the following elements:
1. List and description of positions considered essential
2. Descriptions of protocols to follow to enable all non-essential employees to work remotely
3. Description of how employers would stagger work shifts to reduce overcrowding
4. Protocols for PPE
5. Protocol for when an employee is exposed to disease
6. Protocol for documenting hours and work locations for essential workers
7. Any other requirement determined by the New York State Department of Health, such as
testing and contact tracing
Operational Elements
1. Positions Considered Essential (According to Section 27-c; "Essential" shall refer to a
designation made that a public employee or contractor is required to be physically present at a work
site to perform his or her job.) The District maintains that while the following staff members are
considered essential, it is dependent on the emergency, the needs of the District, and the particular
duties required that they be physically present at work each business day during the emergency
period. While the staff members are essential, this does not mean that all such employees will be
required to report to work on campus at all times. It will be up to the individual’s immediate
supervisor to determine necessary staffing levels, and if an essential employee is to physically report
to work on a given day (during the emergency period). In the event of a state-ordered reduction of
the District’s in-person workforce, the following is a list of essential employees.
School Superintendent
Assistant Superintendent for Support Services
Director of Technology
Operations and Maintenance Staff
Building Administrators
Food Service Workers
School Nurses, to assist with contact tracing, reporting
Payroll
Remote Capacity for Positions considered non-essential ("Non-essential" shall refer to a
designation made that a public employee or contractor is not required to be physically present at a
work site to perform his or her job.).
In the event of a state ordered reduction of the District’s in-person workforce the District may
provide, to the extent possible, the opportunity for non-essential employees and contractors the
capability to telecommute (including, but not limited to, facilitating or requesting the procurement,
distribution, downloading and installation of any needed devices or technology, including software,
data, office laptops or phones), as determined by the employee’s supervisor. This may include, but is
not limited to employees who provide direct instruction to students, provide student support services,
facilitate procurement processes for the District, facilitate payroll processes for the District, and
facilitate administrative and office related tasks for the District. There may be some staff who will
not be able to telecommute nor will they be needed to work on campus. The need for these staff will
be determined on a case-by-case basis and by job title.
Density Reduction
To the extent possible, and consistent with collective bargaining agreement restrictions, the District
may stagger work shifts of essential employees and contractors in order to reduce overcrowding in
confined or shared spaces and at worksites. If schools are open, we will encourage parents to drive
students via personal vehicle to campus to reduce the number of individuals riding on the same bus.
To reduce overcrowding in classrooms and on buses the following concepts may be applied:
Student Rosters, if scheduled classes are to be on site, will be split into student cohort
groups to minimize the number of students in a classroom at the same time.
If no students are in school, staff may continue to have their work shift or assigned
days of work staggered as necessary.
Employees may be permitted to work remotely as necessary.
Visitors will not be permitted on campus.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be procured and stored:
Operations and maintenance will procure & maintain sufficient inventory of PPE as
recommended by NYS Department of Health and NYS Education Department
guidelines. PPE includes masks, shields, gowns, and others as directed by the NYS
Department of Health.
The equipment will be stored and readily available to any employee or student in need
of it.
Exposure to Disease
In the event an employee or contractor is exposed to a known case of a communicable disease that is
the subject of a public health emergency, exhibits symptoms of such disease, or tests positive for such
disease, and in order to prevent the spread or contraction of such disease in the workplace the District
has a set protocol to be followed for the exposure as well as the disinfecting of the affected work
area(s):
If an employee or contractor begins to experience symptoms related to the
communicable disease after arriving at work, he/she shall be required to isolate, and
contact their supervisor for further instructions. Employees who are able will be sent
home, emergency medical support may be called to assist.
The disinfecting of any area known or suspected to be infected with the communicable
disease as well as any common area such employee or contractor may have utilized.
Available leave options, for the affected employee(s), in the event of an employee’s
need to receive testing, treatment, isolation, or quarantine will be aligned with current
Depart of Labor standards and regulations.
Note: Such protocol does not involve any action that would violate any existing federal, state,
or local law, including sick leave or health information privacy.
Records of Attendance for Essential Employees
The District shall maintain documentation outlining when all essential employees and contractors
physically report to work. This may include, but not be limited to, use of the daily health screening
tool, or having employees sign in and/or out, consistent with any collective bargaining agreements.
This documentation will assist in contract tracing efforts should the need arise.
Section IV: Recovery
Responses for different types of crises should be planned in advance and reviewed, updated, and
practiced periodically. The chaos and panic created by certain situations cannot be effectively
handled without a pre-established specific plan of action.
The extent of, and need for, disaster or emergency recovery depends in large part upon the nature of
the incident. The Rhinebeck Central School District Administration will provide the necessary
resources to ensure as smooth a transition back to normal operations as possible following an
emergency or violent incident.
A. District Support for Buildings
The Rhinebeck Central School District will support the Emergency Response Teams and the Post-
Incident Response Teams in school buildings affected by emergencies or disasters by providing
financial and logistical assistance. The District will also aid these teams by interfacing with relevant
regulatory agencies and the media.
B. Disaster Mental Health Services
Following a serious act of violence or other disaster in the schools, employees, counselors, students,
police and other emergency respondents, witnesses, and the family of these individuals often suffer
from stress-related ailments such as insomnia, depression, anger, headaches and ulcers. These
conditions translate into higher rates of absenteeism and turnover, as well as reduced school and job
performance. Much of this suffering and loss can be reduced if the affected individuals receive
debriefings from experienced counselors 24 to 72 hours after the traumatic incident.
The Rhinebeck Central School District Office, under the direction of the Superintendent of Schools in
his/her capacity of Chief Emergency Officer, shall facilitate the coordination of disaster mental health
resources by interfacing with the State Emergency Management Office, the NYS Office of Mental
Health, the American Red Cross, and school districts in Dutchess County who have trained staff,
including pupil personnel services staff and others, whom they have made available to assist in event
of a crisis for which the provision of such services to Rhinebeck Central School District students and
staff would be appropriate and necessary.
At all times, the District will maintain close cooperation with investigating authorities to facilitate
completing investigations and minimizing complications.