Schools

Centennial Schools Upgrade Security System

Starting next Thursday, visitors to Centennial schools will need to present state-issued identification, which will be scanned and checked against an FBI database of sex offenders.

When students return to school next week, Centennial officials hope they feel a little bit safer inside the classroom.

Effective Jan. 2, 2014, all six Centennial schools will be implementing a new visitor sign‐in system known as Raptor Alert Monitoring System. Earlier this year, the Centennial School Board unanimously approved installing the Raptor Alert Monitoring System at all elementary, middle and high schools. The Raptor Alert Monitoring System has been successfully implemented at some Bucks County school districts during the past year.

The use of the Raptor System will enhance the security of sign‐in procedures at each of the school buildings. Previously, visitors were asked to visit the main office, sign‐in and take a generic visitor’s badge or sticker upon entering Centennial’s schools. 

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Using the new technology, visitors will continue to be directed to the main office upon entry, and will now be asked to present state‐issued identification (ID), such as a driver’s license. The ID will be scanned and print a badge that includes the name of the visitor, a picture of the visitor, and the time and date of the visit. 

The system will also access an FBI sex‐offender database and will alert our staff when a visitor’s identification may match a person on that list. 

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In the event a visitor does not have ID, he/she will meet with an administrator to provide personal information and to answer a series of questions about their student. The visitor will be escorted by an administrator or security personnel while in the building.

A visitor’s badge will not be necessary for those who visit the schools simply to drop off or pick up an item, or to attend a scheduled student performance. All visitors who enter the school with the intention of traveling beyond the main office will be screened and issued a badge. 

In addition, anyone who signs out a student from school outside of the regular dismissal time will also be screened. Essentially, building sign‐in procedures will remain the same but will be bolstered by the additional security of the Raptor Alert Monitoring System.

The school district will implement this new sign‐in procedure beginning Jan. 2 and make adjustments as needed. 

"The patience of our parents and visitors is appreciated while we do all we can to make our buildings a safe and secure environment for our students," said Superintendent Dr. Joyce Mundy in a statement to the press. "As the Centennial School District strives to maintain a secure learning environment for students and staff, it is my hope that families will welcome this added management and monitoring safety feature, even though it may initially cause some inconvenience."

If you have questions about the sign‐in procedures at your school, please contact your building principal. Questions about the Raptor Alert Monitoring System can be directed to the office of Safe Schools Coordinator, Jeffry Cochran at 215‐441‐6181 ext. 12501 or e‐mailed to Jeffry Cochran, at cochje@centennialsd.org. 


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