2007 Safety Audit Final report

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2007SAFETY AUDIT REPORTPrepared by: Seve Padilla Safety Audit Team: Steve Rau, Bob Nissen, and Tom Horn January, 2008 1Table of Contents Introduction: Background and Purpose 3Safety Audit Team 4Findings and Recommendations George Mason High School 5 Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School 7 Thomas Jefferson Elementary 8 Mt. Daniel Elementary School 9 Athletic Fields and Bus Parking Lot 10 System-Wide Safety Practices 11Limitations of Report 11Conclusion 12Appendices Appendix A - Project Status Charts 13 Appendix B - GMHS Project Status (In-Depth) 14 Appendix C - MEHMS Project Status (In-Depth) 16 Appendix D - TJES Project Status (In-Depth) 17 Appendix E - MDES Project Status (In-Depth) 18 Appendix F - Fields/Bus Lot Project Status (In-Depth) 19 Appendix G- Pictures 20 2INTRODUCTION: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Commonwealth of Virginia requires us to conduct an annual school safety audit for each school. The audit is administered through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) in the form of the Virginia School Safety Survey (VSSS). The purpose of these audits and surveys allows the state to assess school safety conditions throughout the Commonwealth.Virginia code §22.1-§279.8 and §9.1-184, “Each local school board shall require all schools under its control to annually conduct school safety audits.” Overall the main ...

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• Publié par: Enfea
• Nombre de lectures: 28
• Langue: English

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1 7002 SAFETY AUDIT REPORT Prepared by: Seve Padilla Safety Audit Team: Steve Rau, Bob Nissen, and Tom Horn January, 200 8  

Table of Contents Introduction: Background and Purpose    Safety Audit Team       Findings and Recommendations  George Mason High School      Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School    Thomas Jefferson Elementary School    Mt. Daniel Elementary School     Athletic Fields and Bus Parking Lot    System-Wide Safety Practices     Limitations of Report      Conclusion        Appendices             2                     Appendix A - Project Status Charts     Appendix B - GMHS Project Status (In-Depth)   Appendix C - MEHMS Project Status (In-Depth)   Appendix D - TJES Project Status (In-Depth)   Appendix E - MDES Project Status (In-Depth)   Appendix F - Fields/Bus Lot Project Status (In-Depth) Appendix G-  Pictures                                                                           3 4  5  7  8 9  01 11 11 21 1 1 4 3      61 1 1 8 7     1 2 9 0          

INTRODUCTION: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Commonwealth of Virginia requires us to conduct an annual school safety audit for each school. The audit is administered through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) in the form of the Virginia School Safety Survey (VSSS). The purpose of these audits and surveys allows the state to assess school safety conditions throughout the Commonwealth. Virginia code §22.1-§279.8 and §9.1-184, “Each local school board shall require all schools under its control to annually conduct school safety audits.” Overall the main purpose of this report is to locate, examine, and correct all items that might be considered hazards or other safety concerns for our students, faculty, and staff. Our safety team routinely walks each campus and notes items that need attention. The items are then reported to maintenance via our work-order system. Large items are brought to the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations for approval due to budget considerations. Throughout this report we will be examining the safety concerns and how to address them for the following schools:  George Mason High School  Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School   7124 Leesburg Pike    7130 Leesburg Pike   Falls Church, VA  22043  Falls Church, VA  22043   Thomas Jefferson Elementary Mt. Daniel Elementary  601 S. Oak St    2328 N. Oak St   Falls Church, VA  22046  Falls Church, VA 22046  ** Many items listed on this report were noted during the summer of 2007 and have since been corrected. They are being listed in this report to show the effort our Facility Services and Safety/Security departments are taking to ensure a safe campus setting for everyone. 3

SAFETY AUDIT TEAM The Safety Audit Team is made up of staff members that have particular expertise and training in the field of safety, security, risk management and maintenance. We also include administrators as their input is invaluable in assessing the safety of their particular school. The Safety Audit Team members are: Seve Padilla, Security and Facilities Coordinator Steve Rau, School Resource Officer, City of Falls Church Police Department Bob Nissen, Building Services Supervisor Tom Horn, Athletics Director Administrators that gave guidance and input for this report throughout the year are: B Ti o m b    S G n u e y e , ,     A Pr s i s n t. c   i P p ri a n l  c G ip M al  H G S  M   HS     K M e a n r   y S   i M ek c m D a o n w ,  e A ll, s   s A t. s   s P t r . i   n P c r i i p n a c l i   p G al  M G H M S  HS  Ann McCarty, Principal MEHMS Vincent Baxter, Asst. Principal MEHMS T B r o u b d   y P   a T le a r y m lo o r , ,     A Pr s i s n t. c   i P p r a i l n   c T i J p E al S     TJES  Kathy Halayko, Principal MDES 4        

5 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS George Mason High School 1)Remove brush that lines access road and bus loop in rear of school.   2)Remove brush along fence lines surrounding the entire Turf Field. 3)Replace fence that borders UVA/VT Northern VA Center’s parking lot and Turf Field. 4)Remove/replace fence that separates rear access road to UVA/VT Northern VA Center’s parking lot. 5)Remove brush from fence line by bus parking area. 6)Remove large cedar trees that border Senior Parking lot to prevent trespassers from hiding and sleeping on park benches. 7)Add additional lighting to the Senior Parking Lot via the old volleyball poll lights.  8)Replace old volleyball poll lights in Senior Parking Lot with new lights.  9)Trim all trees shrubs on campus to improve visibility.  10)Remove 2 large bushes directly in from the C-Wing (Leesburg Pike side of school). 11)Remove large pine trees that are up against the Auditorium and Band Hall area as they are starting to crack the foundation. 12)Repair/replace flower bed planter located by Door #2 as the nails are coming out and wood is cracking. 13)Repair asphalt on front bus loop between trailers and Door #2. 14)Re-stripe all parking lots on GM campus. 15)Replace all discolored fire-lane signs where needed. 16)Repaint all crosswalks. 17)Add crosswalk that connects GM to MEH by Door #6. 18)Remove and bury electricity meters/wires by end of trailers (close to Maintenance Shop). 19)Remove cement pad by Door #5 (recommended by our insurance adjuster). 20)Add additional lighting near Door #6 and 12. 21)Replace all missing or damaged visitor entry message stickers on exterior doors throughout school. 22)Replace Doors/Store Fronts at Doors # 1, 15, and 19. 23)Add additional cameras throughout school to ensure total coverage. 24)Repair/replace non-operational cameras. 25)Install Access Control readers to exterior doors. 26)Remove storage container from front faculty lot by Trailers. 27)Remove old room numbers and building maps throughout building with new room numbers from architectural plans. 28)Add blinds to classrooms in Lower E-Wing. 29)Fire proof all flags in Cafeteria, Library, and lobby. 30)Remove green vent pipe that is sticking out of ground by TLC entrance # 27. 31)Remove concrete footing with pipe sticking out of it by Door #3.

6 32)Ensure custodial staff shuts all doors and closes lids on dumpsters in order to keep rats and other rodents out of trash cans. 33)Keep areas around dumpsters clean. 34)Replace rental mats by doors with heavier mats in order to eliminate the constant trip hazard and provide more surface area to dry feet. 35)Add concrete to area by FCCTV entrance to eliminate fall/trip hazard. 36)Replace old curtains in auditorium with new fire retardant ones. 37)Remove large storage container located by trailers (Leesburg Pike side of school).

7 Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School 1)Remove dead shrubs by stop sign near exits of MEH front parking lot. 2)Remove dead/sagging black pine trees that border Leesburg Pike from front lot. 3)Replace all exterior lights that are burned out.  4)Repaint stop bars on parking lot next to stop signs.  5)Repaint handicap logos on parking lots. 6)Add additional camera to lobby in order to better view who is being buzzed into building.  7)Readjust and/or relocate cameras located by loading dock to better see who is being  buzzed into building for deliveries. 8)Replace/Repair cameras that are flickering throughout building. 9)Add network access capability to Alarm/Access Control panels in order to be able to access system from anywhere within network. 10)Add a day-night wireless PTZ camera to MEH camera system for bus parking lot. 11)Repair fencing that faces Leesburg Pike by softball field that was damaged by vehicles. 12)Replenish or replace the rubber pellets by climbing rock on playground. 13)Replace missing exterior water faucet covers 14)Repair door latches at Door #1 so that door doesn’t fail to lock. 15)Ensure custodial staff shuts all doors and closes lids on dumpsters in order to keep rats and other rodents out of trash cans. 16)Keep area around dumpsters clean and free of clutter. 17)Add cell phone signal boosters to building so that SMT personnel can communicate during an emergency. 18)Replace mats by doors with heavier mats in order to eliminate the constant trip hazard and provide more surface area to dry feet.

8 Thomas Jefferson Elementary School 1)Patch/repair/resurface asphalt parking lot in rear of school.  2)Seal coat the asphalt on playground in order to extend life and prevent additional  cracking. 3)Replace old dumpster with new one that has properly working doors/lids. 4)Install removable bollards onto entrance of playground in order to deter vehicles from driving on newly surfaced fields. 5)Have City repaint all crosswalks near school (front and rear).  6)Add additional exterior cameras to school:  playground, rear parking lots, front street  entrance). 7)Add additional interior cameras throughout the building to improve safety for students and staff. 8)Add Access control systems to front entrance, rear entrance, playground entrance and gym/trailer entrance. 9)Add video phone feature with 3 base stations to access control system for front entrance  and rear entrance by cafeteria so office can see who is being buzzed into building. 10)Update alarm codes to ensure the proper people have codes and all old ones are deleted. 11)Improve lighting throughout building to enhance safety and visibility. 12)Trim all trees on campus and remove/trim brush along fence lines. 13)Have City clean out creek bottom that borders property in order to cut down on the rodent problem. 14)Repair skirting around trailers as needed to keep animals from getting under trailers. 15)Repair holes that were bored into the asphalt beside the gym on the playground for termite control. 16)Add cell phone signal booster to building so that SMT personnel can communicate during an emergency. 17)Replace mats by doors with heavier mats in order to eliminate the constant trip hazard and provide more surface area to dry feet. 18)Add several additional exterior lights along front entrance and sidewalk areas.

9 Mt. Daniel Elementary School 1)Add additional exterior and interior cameras to improve safety and security.  2)Add Access Control system to exterior doors:  # 1, 3, 4 and 5 to provide better security  during the school day and after school for daycare. 3)Add video phone feature with 3 base stations to access control system at Door # 1 and  Door # 3 so that the Main Office can see who they are buzzing into building. 4)Remove all custodial items that are being stored in fire pump room of new wing. 5)Install magnetic fire door release latches to doors that enter new wing.  6)Repair/Replace damaged culvert cover by stop sign in bus loop. 7)Remove old fence that is behind the new fence on playground. 8)Remove brush from fence lines and trim all trees. 9)Replace old fence that starts by the trailers and continues to new access road in rear of  school. 10)Add a screen or bar to culverts on playground so that children or animals can’t get caught in them. 11)Repair skirting around trailers in order to keep animals out. 12)Add cell phone signal booster to building so that SMT personnel can communicate during an emergency. 13)Close and repair grass area of playground in order to remove the rocks. 14)Replace mats by doors with heavier mats in order to eliminate the constant trip hazard and provide more surface area to dry feet. 15)Replace old curtains in multi-purpose room with new fire retardant ones.

01 Athletic Fields and Bus Parking Lot 1)Add exterior camera to bus lot.  2)Add additional lighting to the bus lot.  3)Replace all burned out lights on tennis courts.  4)Replace all burned out lights on GM Turf Field. 5)Add lights to the natural grass practice field.  6)Repair/replace emergency access road leading to field.  Currently, it can not         be used due to the condition of the road and gravel surface. 7)Add sidewalks to visitor section.  8)Add lighting to entrance to stadium sidewalks (bollard style lights to line path).  9)Remove old bleacher footings in front of new home side bleachers. 10)Remove brush along fence line surrounding Turf Stadium. 11)Replace fence that borders UVA/VT NOVA Center parking lot and Turf Stadium. 12)Repair sewer grate in front of bleachers. 13)Add a covering around bleachers in order to keep rodents and other animals       from nesting. 14)Remove dead trees/stumps from upper hill area between bleachers and       baseball field (side closest to I-66). 15)Remove trash from behind baseball field area bordering I-66 access road. 16)Add metal bar to drainage grates around softball and tennis courts so       that children or small animals aren't able to get caught. 17)Remove PVC pipes that are sticking out of ground next to softball field back gate. 18)Add sidewalks from the concession stand to tennis courts/softball field area. 19)Remove old fire hydrant pad from grassey area to the left of bleachers       (side closest to I-66). 20)Add fencing to secure fields after-hours. Current fences are too low and don't       close properly.

SYSTEM-WIDE SAFETY PRACTICES Safety improvements and enhancements are useless without proper staff training and enforcement of School Board policies and procedures. Below are items that we continue to reinforce to staff in order to enhance safety of our schools: 1.Ensure hallways are clear of obstructions  2.Lock classroom doors at all times  3.Familiarize themselves with Crisis Plans  4.Report all suspicious activity and safety issues to administration  5.Display Employee ID when in buildings  6.Ensure the Student Code of Conduct is being followed  In addition to these items, our Crisis Plan is updated annually and distributed throughout each school. Recently, our Crisis Plans were updated to be National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant. The NIMS system was adopted through a Presidential Directive by the Department of Homeland Security. This update establishes standard incident management processes, protocols and procedures so that all responders (School Administrators, Police, Fire and other government officials) can work together and more efficiently. LIMITATIONS OF REPORT      This report provides an objective overview of the school’s current safety and security status, based on: 1.Knowledge of best safety practices  2.Daytime, on-site observations  3.Information obtained from interviews and discussions with administration, staff and  students 4.Information available within the limited scope of the Safety Audit Team’s visits       In addition, this report is intended to identify needs, stated in the form of recommendations, which would potentially improve the safety and security of the school. This report may not fully convey detailed information regarding the school’s actual level of safety, its prevention and intervention efforts, or the staff’s ability to manage a crisis situation. 11 CONCLUSION