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Safety & Security
Safety & Security
Nothing matters more to us than the safety and well-being of your child. At Leonia Public Schools, we work every day to make sure our schools are safe, welcoming places where students can focus on learning and growing.
Here’s how we help keep our schools secure and supportive:
- Clear Safety Plans: We practice fire drills, lockdowns, and other emergency procedures so everyone knows what to do, just in case.
- Comprehensive Protocols: From hiring new staff members to welcoming visitors in the building, our district follows strict safety procedures to ensure that everyone on campus is screened, identified, and accounted for at all times.
- Trained and Caring Staff: All faculty and staff receive ongoing safety training, including emergency response, first aid, CPR, and de-escalation strategies.
- Student Support Systems: Counseling, social-emotional learning programs, and reporting tools to ensure students have trusted ways to seek help.
- Partnerships with Local Agencies: We work closely with local police, fire, and emergency services to keep our plans up to date.
We encourage students, staff, and families to play an active role in safety by staying informed, speaking up about concerns, and following school procedures. Together, we can ensure our schools remain a safe place to learn, grow, and succeed.
More Information on Student Safety
Looking for more information on our policies, procedures, and instruction on safety?
While we can’t make all of the details public for security reasons, we can share our general approach, safety expectations, and resources to help families understand how we keep students protected. Please reach out to your school’s administrator or our School Safety Specialist with any questions or concerns.
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Leonia Public Schools is committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment for all students. As part of our ongoing efforts to prevent and address Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB), we provide resources, support, and clear procedures for reporting concerns.
If you have concerns or questions about HIB, we encourage you to visit our HIB Frequently Asked Questions section on the website, or reach out to your school’s Anti-Bullying Specialist or the District Coordinator for support. -
To ensure students can fully focus on learning and to protect privacy, cell phones, recording devices, and other personal electronic communication devices are prohibited during the school day unless specifically permitted for educational or documented medical needs. This includes cameras, tablets, smart watches, earbuds, headphones, meta glasses, or any device capable of recording, transmitting, or receiving messages, images, or audio.
School-specific rules:
- Leonia High School: Phones must be silenced and put away during instructional time unless a teacher gives permission for academic purposes.
- Leonia Middle School: Phones and other devices must be turned off and stored in lockers or cubbies for the entire school day.
- Anna C. Scott Elementary: Phones must be turned off and kept in backpacks during the school day.
Recording students, staff, or activities without permission is strictly forbidden, especially in private areas such as restrooms or locker rooms. Students are encouraged not to bring devices to school; if they do, they do so at their own risk as the district is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage.
Discipline for violations escalates with repeated offenses:
- First offense: Device is confiscated for the rest of the day (detention for LMS).
- Second offense: Parent must pick up device; additional detention or temporary daily device check-in required.
- Third offense: Parent pick-up; longer daily check-in period and more detention.
- Fourth offense: Extended confiscation or daily check-in; additional disciplinary action.
- Five or more offenses: Student loses privilege of bringing a device to school for the rest of the year and may be excluded from extracurricular activities, trips, and events.
In emergencies, students may use the school phone, and parents should contact the main office to reach their child. For more school specific information, please visit your school’s handbook.
For more information on our policy, please visit:
Policy 5516 - Use of Electronic Communication and Recording Devices
Regulation 5516 - Use of Electronic Communication and Recording Devices
(Updated August 19, 2025)
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At Leonia Public Schools, internet access is a privilege, not a right, and comes with clear responsibilities. Students may use the school network and Google accounts for educational purposes only, and must have both parental permission and a signed Acceptable Use Agreement.
Our network is closely monitored to ensure student safety, and any misuse, whether successful or attempted, may result in disciplinary action, including loss of computer privileges. We are committed to teaching responsible online behavior and maintaining a secure digital environment for all students. Education on Digital Citizenship begins at the elementary level.
For more information, please review the following district policies:
Policy 2361 - Acceptable Use of Computer Networks and Resources
Policy 3283 - Electronic Communications between Teaching Staff and Students
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At Leonia Public Schools, we conduct monthly fire drills and school security drills, including lockdowns, shelter-in-place scenarios, and non-fire evacuations, in line with New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 18A:41-1). Schools must also run at least two of each specific drill type, such as active shooter, bomb threat, and evacuation drills, annually. Parents must be notified after a drill is conducted, as per NJ law.
Our safety procedures are designed to be developmentally and trauma-informed, meaning drills avoid frightening elements like simulated weapons or sound effects. We use age-appropriate explanations to help students understand that these are just practice exercises and no real threat exists.
When a drill begins, all students must follow instructions quickly and quietly. Teachers will give directions based on the type of drill, and students are expected to cooperate fully. In the event of an evacuation, students must clear the building through the designated routes promptly and remain with their class or assigned group until directed otherwise. We believe preparation saves lives, and keeps our students calm, confident, and safe.
All students and staff are encouraged to report any suspicious activity, threats, or safety concerns to a teacher, counselor, administrator, or the School Safety Officer immediately.
For more information on our safety procedures, please visit your school’s handbook, or the NJ Office of School Prepareness and Emergency Planning website for more on the laws and requirements.
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Leonia Public Schools is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of every student. We have strict policies, screening procedures, and educational programs in place to protect students from inappropriate conduct by adults. By combining rigorous hiring, clear boundaries, mandatory reporting, and proactive education, we ensure that student safety comes first, always.
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Thorough Background Checks: Every employee, volunteer, contractor, and Board of Education member must pass a state-mandated criminal history check before having any contact with students. We also verify prior employment history to ensure there are no substantiated or pending allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct. No one works with our students without clearing these checks.
- Clear Conduct Policies: All staff receive training and follow strict rules that prohibit inappropriate relationships, communications, or contact with students. This includes restrictions on personal transportation, electronic communication, and social media use with students. Staff are trained to maintain clear and professional boundaries at all times.
- Mandatory Reporting: Our staff are legally and ethically required to report immediately any suspicion of abuse, neglect, or misconduct to school leaders and proper authorities. Failure to report is not tolerated.
- Student Support and Reporting Tools: Students and families can confidentially report concerns through our anonymous reporting tool or directly to a trusted adult. Counselors are available to support students and guide them to resources. We will be launching our new confidential tipline in October.
- Ongoing Education: From PreK–12, students receive age-appropriate lessons on safety, consent, healthy relationships, digital safety, and how to speak up if they feel unsafe, in line with NJ law, including Erin’s Law. Additionally, all staff receive annual training on recognizing and responding to child abuse, neglect, and grooming behaviors.
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We are committed to ensuring that every student’s journey to and from school is safe and reliable. All bus drivers are trained and certified in student transportation safety procedures, and our buses are equipped with safety features that meet or exceed state requirements.
Students are expected to follow bus rules, remain seated while the bus is moving, and listen to the driver’s instructions at all times. Families can help by reviewing safety guidelines with their children and making sure they arrive at their bus stop on time. Together, we can keep transportation safe for everyone.
Top 5 Bus Safety Tips for Students
- Arrive Early: Get to your bus stop at least 5 minutes before pickup time.
- Wait Safely: Stand back from the curb and wait until the bus comes to a complete stop.
- Board and Exit Carefully: Use the handrail and take your time getting on or off the bus.
- Stay Seated: Remain in your seat facing forward while the bus is moving.
- Listen to the Driver: Follow the driver’s directions- they are there to keep you safe.
Bus evacuation drills are conducted twice a year for all students.
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The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. All visitors, including parents, guardians, alumni, and community members, must follow our district’s visitor procedures:
- Check-In Required: All visitors must enter through the designated school entrance, report directly to the main office or reception desk, present valid photo identification, and sign in using our security system. Visitor IDs are run through a security a school safety system that compares the information against sex offender registries and any custom school alerts.
- Visitor Badges: After sign-in, visitors will be issued a temporary ID badge and lanyard, which must be worn and visible at all times while in the building.
- Restricted Access: Visitors are not permitted in the school without clearance. Student visitors are not allowed during the school day. Alumni visits must be arranged in advance and scheduled after school hours with prior approval by the building administrator.
- Security Reminders: Students may not open exterior doors for anyone. All access is managed through the secure entry system.
Note: Anyone who fails to comply will be considered trespassing and will be subject to immediate removal from the building, with possible referral to law enforcement.
For full details, please refer to your school’s student handbook (or district policy #9150).