The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough

School Safety and Preparedness in the Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough

School safety and preparedness are top priorities for the Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough. The District takes a proactive and comprehensive approach that emphasizes prevention, education, safe facilities, and emergency preparedness. At the foundation of this approach is the belief that strong safety systems support positive school climate, student well-being, and academic success.

Creating a safe learning environment requires a community-wide commitment. The District works closely with local police, fire, and emergency management officials in both towns, as well as with regional and state partners. We also participate in emergency preparedness trainings and workshops offered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and other agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. Our safety protocols reflect research-based best practices and expert recommendations.

Below are key elements of the District’s ongoing safety efforts:

Visitor Protocols

To ensure secure school facilities, all visitors must identify themselves upon arrival, sign in at the main office, and wear a school-issued visitor badge at all times.

Student Safety Awareness and Training

The District partners with the Sandy Hook Promise organization to implement its Say Something program in our middle and high schools. This initiative teaches students how to:

• Recognize warning signs and signals of potential threats, especially on social media
• Take action and report concerns to a trusted adult
• Understand the importance of speaking up and protecting peers

Emergency Preparedness: ALICE Protocols

The District uses ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) protocols to prepare for active threat scenarios. Safety Readiness Team members are certified "Train-the-Trainers" who support implementation. All staff and students participate in regular drills to build familiarity and readiness.

Annual Safety Training

Mandatory safety training, including fire and emergency procedures, is conducted each year for all staff and students. These drills are coordinated in partnership with the Northborough and Southborough Police and Fire Departments. Their collaboration is instrumental in maintaining our schools as safe, supportive environments.

Employee Background Checks

All employees undergo the following background checks before employment:

• CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information): A Massachusetts-based criminal history check
• SAFIS: A fingerprint-based check processed through the FBI’s national database
• SORI (Sex Offender Registry Information): A screening to ensure no employee is a registered sex offender

More information about these screenings is available on the District website.

Bullying Prevention and Reporting

A safe school environment must also be free from harassment and bullying. The District’s Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan outlines clear expectations and procedures. An anonymous reporting form is available on the School Safety Readiness page, which can be accessed from the homepage under the District tab..

Transparency and Information Sharing

While we are committed to keeping families informed, it is important to note that some aspects of our safety and security measures are sensitive and cannot be publicly disclosed in detail. We appreciate the community’s understanding and partnership as we work together to keep our schools safe.