MESSAGE FROM THE SECURITY OFFICE

A Special Message from the Security Office:   

·         Know your child’s schedule

The Security Office at the High School of Fashion Industries highly recommends that each parent or guardian have a copy of your child’s schedule at all times.  Along the same lines, it is important to know their schedule for after school activities, as school staff may not be reachable after normal business hours. 

·         Electronic equipment

The High School of Fashion Industries limits the use of electronic devices, such as cell phones and IPods in the school building.  If an electronic device is found to be out or on during the school day, it may be confiscated and held until the end of the school day.  Our goal is to minimize disruptions to lessons while making education the main focus of your child’s day.  Please review the electronic device policy located on page 4, in the student’s handbook. 

·         School Safety Committee meetings

The school community meets once a month to discuss important safety matters that impact everyday school life.  We welcome parents and guardians to be part of this conversation. Please contact Giovanni Raschilla, Assistant Principal of Administration and Security, if you would like to attend these monthly meeting.  We value the wealth of knowledge our parents have provided us in the past, and are honored by their contributions.  Mr. Raschilla can be reached at graschi@schools.nyc.gov. 

·         Evacuations

The New York City Department of Education has directed every school in New York City to adopt new emergency procedures involving Evacuations, Lock Downs and Sheltering In.  Referred to as General Response Protocols, this system is designed to incorporate the use of common language to identify the initial measures all school communities will take until first responders arrive. 

Below please find our GRP protocols for the aforementioned incidents listed above.  Please review these procedures with your children.  They are very important.

Evacuations-an evacuation involves any emergency event in which staff and students have to leave the building.  An example of an evacuation is a fire alarm.

1.      When the fire bell sounds, staff and students are to stop working, or any other activity in the building.

2.      Teachers will escort students out of the building.  As the teacher leaves his/her room, they have been directed to lock the door, and turn off the lights.

3.      Teachers will direct student to the nearest stairwell.  No student or staff should use the elevator in an emergency. 

4.      Students are to leave with their class, remaining quiet and in single file. 

5.      Classes on the lower floors must yield to students coming from the upper floors.

6.      Teachers will take attendance before, after, and during the emergency event; and report any issues to their supervisors or floor wardens. 

7.      Disabled students are directed to report to any room on any floor ending in 29.  For example, 329, 429, 529, 629, 729, 829 and 929.

8.      School Safety will inform Administration when the appropriate time to return in the building is.

9.      If an alarm sounds during a non class time, students should exit the building immediately, and move with the flow of school traffic, staying with the rest of the schools.

·         Lockdowns

Lockdowns-Two different lockdowns exist. 

·         Soft Lockdown: implies that there is no identified imminent danger to the sweep teams. Administrative teams, Building Response Teams, and School Safety Agents will mobilize to the designated command post for further direction.

·         Hard Lockdown:  implies that imminent danger is known and NO ONE will engage in any building sweep activity. All individuals, including School Safety Agents will take appropriate lockdown action and await the arrival of first responders.

In the event of a lockdown, staff and students will hear the following message over our public address system, “Attention: We are now in Soft/Hard Lockdown. Take proper action.” This message will be repeated over the PA system.

In a hard lockdown situation, Students should/will:

1.      Move out of sight and maintain silence.

In a hard lockdown situation, Teachers should/will:

1.      Check the hallway outside of their classrooms for students, lock classroom doors, and turn the lights off. Any students found in the hallway during a lockdown, must be directed into your classroom.

2.      Move away from sight and maintain silence.

3.      Raise shades

4.      Wait for First Responders to open door, or until hearing the “All Clear” message: “The Lockdown has been lifted”, followed by specific directions.

5.      Take attendance and account for missing students by contacting the main office.

·         Shelter In

A Special Message from the Security Office:   Shelter In

Shelter in-This emergency event occurs when the threat is outside our building.  An example of when this protocol would be used is if a violent crime occurred outside the perimeter of our school. 

When this situation occurs, staff and students will hear the following over our PA system:

“Attention. This is a Shelter-In. Secure all exit doors.” This message will be repeated twice over the PA system.

In this situation, Custodian will:

1.      Lock all entrance and exit doors and remain cognizant of the potential need to unlock/open doors for emergency responders.

In this situation, Students will:

1.      Remain inside of the building.

2.      Conduct business as usual.

3.      Respond to specific staff directions.

Teachers will:

1.      Increase situational awareness.

2.      Conduct business as usual.

3.      The Shelter-In directive will remain in effect until hearing the “All Clear” message:     “The Shelter-In has been lifted”, followed by specific directions.

Administrators will:

1.      Assume floor warden detail-patrol the hall assigned

A Special Message from the Security Office:   School Wide Assemblies

 The High of Fashion Industries has implemented protocols that will focus on emergency preparedness. Training has started and will continue for staff throughout the school year. 

In order to introduce and prepare students to understand the importance of these drills, several school wide assemblies have been planned during the first few weeks of the school year. These grade specific assemblies are designed to be age appropriate and to ensure that students understand the importance of these drills without causing unnecessary alarm.

As always, we welcome and encourage parents to attend these important events.   

You are encouraged to take advantage of the many resources that are available to keep families informed if there is an emergency at a school.  All families are reminded to update the Emergency Contact Cards that are on file in our main office. This includes providing information indicating phone numbers, and the names of adults to whom the school may release children in an emergency. Families are also encouraged to register with Notify NYC (https://a858-nycnotify.nyc.gov/notifynyc/) to receive information about emergency events, and call 311 for additional information about a school during an emergency.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.  We are proud to be able to serve you and your children and we will continually strive to provide a safe learning environment for them.

                                                        

·         Larceny Prevention! 

The DOE has asked that we share this important Larceny Prevention Information with you.  As you may know, larceny occurs when one person takes, obtains, or withholds property from its owner.  Below are some proven strategies that deter this type of crime.

(1) Students should never leave any property unattended!  City-wide statistics show that unattended property contributes to a significant percentage of increase in theft.  Please remind them to secure their keys and money.  Please remind your children to always lock their valuables in their locker.  They should never share the combination to their locker or share the locker itself with their friends. 

(2) Electronics are not permitted in school.  Cell phones, IPODs, and gaming devices are a serious distraction to the learning process.  It is not appropriate to have these items in school.  A student may use any phone in any office to contact you if there is ever an emergenc

 (3)Remind your child that they should never leave your purse/backpack on a desk, behind a chair or unattended.

(4) Keep expensive jewelry out of sight.  Never display any amount of cash.  Keep these items home.  

Consistency is the key in making sure our school is safe and orderly.  Should you have any further concerns or questions please do not hesitate to contact Giovanni Raschilla at graschi@schools.nyc.gov.

·         School Food Free Breakfast Program

 Earlier this month, postcards were sent to all parents and guardians highlighting School Food’s free breakfast program, which is available to all students.

 Breakfast menus are created to ensure that students receive the proper nutrients they need to think clearly, concentrate on learning, and perform better in class.  Please encourage your child to take part in this program.

Breakfast is served from 7:30AM to 9:00AM each school day in our 4^th floor school cafeteria. 

Arrive on time and save a dime-breakfast is on us!

Should you have any further concerns or questions please do not hesitate to contact Giovanni Raschilla at graschi@schools.nyc.gov.

·         ID CARDS

In the interest of safety and school security, the High School of Fashion Industries provides each child with a photo identification card that we require all students to openly display while they are in the building.  The photo identification is provided to students on a specially designed no choke tear away lanyard.  Students are required to swipe in on a daily basis where their attendance and time of their arrival is captured by our system.

We strongly encourage parents to speak to their children about the importance of safeguarding these cards and making sure they are being used as intended on a daily basis. 

All 9^th grade students should receive new ID Cards on or before October 1^st, 2015.  

Lastly, beginning on October 1^st, the Dean’s has been providing every returning student a replacement identification card for free, between the hours of 3:00 and 4:00PM.  This service is free for the entire month.

As of November 1^st, a fee of $2.00 will be charged for replacing a lost identification card.  Identification cards that malfunction or break will continue to be replaced without charge.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.  If you have any further question please feel free to contact Giovanni Raschilla at graschi@schools.nyc.gov

·         Distribution of Food

One of our main goals at the High School of Fashion Industries is to always promote a healthy and safe environment for our students.  One way we ensure that safety is by not allowing students to distribute food that they have brought into school. Since, this practice may contribute to student illness due to improper handling of food preparation or allergic reaction to an ingredient, we strictly enforce this policy. 

Along the same lines, we do not allow for students to sell items for personal gain during on school property at any time.  We highly recommend that parents restrict business transactions between students, as it has resulted in controversy and conflict in the past.

While we value the spirit of entrepreneurship, it may interfere with instruction and personal relations among students. 

Should you have any further concerns or questions please do not hesitate to contact Giovanni Raschilla at graschi@schools.nyc.gov.

A Special Message from the Security Office: 

·         Social Networking and Safety Tips for Teens

We need to constantly remind our children how important it is to be a good cyber citizens.  In a recent article, published by Jacob Wetterling Resource Center, the group outlined a few tips about Social Networking that we hope you will share with your children.

What is safe to post?

1.      Name, favorite music, quotes, interests, skills

2.      Birthday, with NO year!

3.      Appropriate photos

What to avoid?

1.      Address and phone numbers

2.      Full birthday

3.      Incriminating, sexual or otherwise inappropriate photos

4.      Adding “friends” just to have more friends.  If you don’t really know them, don’t’ add them! 

A few TIPS

1.      Always use your privacy settings!  If you don’t, anyone can see your photos, wall and personal information.

2.      Think about what you post.  Be good to each other, be kind, be a good cyber citizen!

3.      Report anything that makes you uncomfortable, your child should know that they can come to you to discuss any matter.

4.      Remember, not everyone is who they say they are on the internet…use caution!

5.      Never share your password with your friends.

6.      Be careful with status updates, you don’t want to share too much, especially anything that may be embarrassing to you or your family or that may jeopardize your safety.

Thank you for taking time out to share this information.  Please continue to monitor your children’s activity on Social Networking sites, like Facebook and Twitter. 

·         Fashion’s going Green!

Over the last several years, The New York City Department of Education has taken significant strides in making schools environmentally friendly and energy conscious

For example, earth friendly products are the only cleaning products used in our building.  Additionally, The High School of Fashion Industries reinforces energy awareness and conservation,  by asking staff members to turn off lights in unused classrooms or offices. 

In 2014 HSFI began the sustainability program in our school cafeteria.  Food scraps, plastic bottles, glass containers, and paper are recycled.  We are encouraged by the student’s participation in this program and hope that the message of this conversation can continue at home.  The little steps that we take now to improve our environment will produce great results in the future

·         Safety To and From School

One of the reasons that makes Fashion such a great school can be found with our students that represent every borough in New York City.  Many students travel up to an hour or more to take part in the magic that happens in our classrooms every day.  That being said, we should take time to speak with our children about safety about traveling to and from school.  Below are a few suggestions that we ask you to stress to your child, as the school year progresses:

v  The NYPD Youth Officers have recently posted signs throughout our building highlighting a new NYPD imitative, called PICK UP YOUR HEAD.  Studies that the city has conducted show that many students are distracted by electronic devices as they travel to and from school.  Individuals who have earphones on have their attention diverted as they cross streets.  The earphones also tend to muffle out the noise of strangers approaching or sirens. 

v  In the not past, a YOUTUBE video surfaced showing a young man train surfing (riding in-between or suspended from subway train cars).  This type of horseplay often has deadly results and we encourage parent to speak to students about proper behavior on the subway platform and in the streets. 

·         With the advent of cell phones, many students do no always remember critical parent phone numbers.  We encourage parents to write down these important numbers for their children along with a few extra dollars, and store it in their school bag.

·         If something does happen on the subway, or the street, to or from school, students should report the incident immediately to a MTA Ticket Booth Agent or a local store.  Time is critical when an incident occurs.  For example, MTA Ticket Booth Agents can summon a NYPD Transit Officer quickly.  In addition, the more time that elapses, the more details we tend to forget. 

WEEK 6:

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,

    

On October 31^st, we may have students who would like to celebrate Halloween.  In keeping with tradition, The High School of Fashion will allow students to dress in the spirit of the day; however, the Security Staff will strictly enforce the following guidelines, in the interest of student safety: 

·         No masks are to be worn – nor face paint that obscures identity

·         Costumes should not include any weapons of any type-real or fake.

·         Students will not wear any item which may be construed as a safety hazard.

·         Students will not wear any item which is obscene or inappropriate.

It is highly recommended that students not wear their costumes to school.  They should change into their costumes when they arrive at school.  Along the same lines, students should not leave the school wearing their costumes.  It is advisable that they change into street clothes before leaving Fashion Industries.

 Students must be able to change their clothes for physical education where applicable.

 Parents, please stress to your child that October 31 is a day of learning and must be treated as such.  Thank you for your cooperation.

WEEK 7

A Special Message from the Security Office:

·         Holiday Breaks

As the Winter Recess holiday draws near, the High School of Fashion Industries would like to take this opportunity to remind parents to please speak to their children about the importance of cleaning out their locker.  In anticipation of the long holiday breaks, our custodial staff will be doing a thorough cleaning of building lockers.  It is always important that students take home any personal belongings of value, and if they wish to have cleaned they should be left unlocked.  No locked locker will be opened. 

Lastly, please remind students that DOE issued Metro cards should not be used when schools are not in session.  Students who use DOE Metro cards when schools are not in session, risk being ticketed by NYPD officers stationed in the subway.  Unfortunately, the High School of Fashion Industries cannot contest these tickets once they are issued and in some cases a court date is required. 

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.  If you have any further question regarding this matter, please contact Mr. Giovanni Raschilla, Assistant Principal at graschi@schools.nyc.gov