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Safety and Security

Threat Assessment Team

Christen Cartolaro - Special Education Coordinator - CCartolaro@cslcharter.org

Bruce Cattie - Middle School Science - BCattie@cslcharter.org

Jillian Downing - School Counselor - JDowning@cslcharter.org

Cara Gadzinski - Bucks County Co-Responder - Clgadzinski@buckscounty.org

Peter Hackney - Chief Executive Officer - PHackney@cslcharter.org

Eman Saleh - School Counselor - ESaleh@cslcharter.org

Jack Whelan - Dean of Students - JWhelan@cslcharter.org

 

Threat Assessment Team Responsibilities

  • Assess and respond to reports of threats
  • Make appropriate determinations, referrals, and notifications
  • Provide information necessary for annual reporting.

 

How does the school assess a threat?

The Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) are utilized at CSL. CSTAG is an evidence-based model for schools to use in conducting threat assessments. Under CSTAG, school staff members are encouraged to adopt a flexible, problem-solving approach, as distinguished from a more punitive, zero-tolerance approach to student misbehavior.

Report a Concern

  • Call 911 if the event is of an immediate threat or life-threatening emergency situation. 
  • Safe2Say: Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
  • Contact your school counselor, principal, or teacher immediately (if during school hours)

 

How can students help?

Talk to your teachers, parent/guardian, and counselors to find out how you can get involved and do your part to make your school safe. Here are some ideas that students have tried:

  • Listen to your friends if they share troubling feelings or thoughts. Encourage them to get help from a trusted adult, such as a school psychologist, counselor, teacher, social worker, community leader, or another professional. If you are very concerned, seek help for them. Share your concerns with your parents/guardians.
  • Know your school’s code of conduct and model responsible behavior. Refrain from teasing, bullying, and intimidating peers. Avoid being part of the crowd if a fight should break out and instead seek help from an adult.
  • Be a role model by taking personal responsibility to react to anger without physically or verbally harming others.
  • Help develop and participate in activities that promote student understanding of differences and respect for the rights of all.
  • Participate in violence prevention programs, such as peer mediation and conflict resolution. Employ your skills in other settings such as home, neighborhood, and community.
  • Create, join, or support student organizations that combat violence, teach tolerance and understanding and promote a positive self-image.
  • Work with your school to create a safe process for reporting threats, intimidation, weapon possession, drug possession or sales, graffiti, and vandalism.
  • Seek help from your parent/guardian or a trusted adult, such as a school psychologist, counselor, teacher, social worker, leader from a faith community, or another professional, if you are experiencing intense feelings of anger, fear, anxiety, or depression.

 

What to do in the event of a School Emergency?

Stay calm!

In the event of a school emergency, please remain calm and know that school staff, and First Responders are working to keep your child safe. Please keep your phone close for important directions and updates.

Please do not come to the school.

We understand your desire to see your child, especially in a situation that feels scary. However, arriving at the scene before it is secure can interfere with the emergency response and may put you in danger. By rushing to the school, parents can unintentionally create traffic jams that may block emergency responders from getting to the school or leaving if necessary to transport injured students or staff to emergency medical facilities. Families should not pick up their student unless given the direction to do so from the District.

Please do not call the school.

We ask that families do not call the school. This allows phone lines to stay open for communication with emergency personnel. It also helps school staff to remain focused on the safety of their students. If a student is injured, the families of those children will be notified directly.

Make sure your contact information and all emergency contact information are accurate and updated.

A One Call message will go out whenever there is an emergency situation at the school. Please make sure your emergency contact information is always up to date. In the event of a serious emergency, all notifications will be communicated with the numbers listed as emergency contacts.