School Safety and Security - The Top Priority at Jenks Public Schools
Jenks Public Schools is committed to the safety and security of all students, staff, and visitors. A comprehensive Emergency Procedures Guide is distributed to every District employee. Fire drills, severe weather drills, and intruder drills are just a few examples of the measures taken by school sites to prepare students for an emergency. Additionally, Jenks Public Schools maintains its own police department as well as an Incident Management Team (IMT) which can be called into action at any time to assist with emergency preparedness, prevention, recovery, and response. Jenks Public Schools works closely with local law enforcement and regional emergency agencies to address issues related to incident management. At JPS, all students, staff members, and parents should immediately report any suspicious activity or potential threats. All reports are taken very seriously.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (click question to view answer)
- JPS' buildings are equipped with secure entrances located near the main offices. All exterior doors remain locked throughout the day. The secure entrances are the only points of entry for parents, visitors, or anyone wishing to gain access to classrooms, hallways, offices, or other areas of the school. Once a person goes through the first set of doors, they must scan their driver’s license or another form of ID into a background check computer. When the background check is complete, and the visitor is approved, a staff member can open the next set of doors to allow the person into the building.
- All JPS employees are trained in emergency procedures, including training for intruders. JPS does not share or publish specifics of this training but it is important to note our District has a plan and practices the plan frequently. All safety and security procedures are reviewed annually with multiple law enforcement and emergency agencies to ensure the very latest response protocols.
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The Jenks Public Schools Campus Police Department is a state certified police department just like the City of Jenks or the City of Tulsa police departments.
Jenks Public Schools’ police officers are not simply security personnel. JPS officers are CLEET (Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training) certified. Every JPS officer must complete a minimum of twenty-five (25) hours of CLEET accredited continuing law enforcement training, which includes a mandatory two (2) hours on mental health issues, each calendar year. Every officer must complete a mandatory 14-week police academy including 576 hours of training and testing.
JPS’ police officers have jurisdiction over all District property and school sites. Officers are positioned throughout the District each day to ensure a quick response to any incident or emergency that may arise.
- JPS’ sites do not have safe rooms, but every school site has designated safety areas which are identified by FEMA trained personnel. These are areas where students and staff members gather in the event of a tornado warning.
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Any report of bullying is taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly at Jenks Public Schools. Every student has a right to learn in an environment free from fear and intimidation.
JPS complies with the School Safety and Bullying Prevention Act mandated by the Oklahoma Legislature. Bullying is expressly forbidden at Jenks Public Schools and students who bully are subject to disciplinary consequences as outlined in the District’s policy on student behavior (Section 3.39 and 3.40). Bullies may also be provided with assistance to end their unacceptable behavior, and targets of bullies may be provided with assistance to overcome the negative effects of bullying.
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Administrative Alert
An administrative alert is issued when there is a minor, isolated incident in one part of a school building. For example, an administrative alert could be called when a student is having a seizure or requires medical attention. During an administrative alert, the school day continues as normal but hallways, offices, classrooms, or other areas may be cleared as necessary to allow responders quick access or to remove the student from the building. Student and staff movement may be restricted for a brief period, and any other action deemed appropriate may be taken while the administrative alert is active. Parents/Guardians may pick up their student during an administrative alert. However, if an incident is taking place in or around a main office or entrance, the parent/guardian may not be granted access to the building until the alert is lifted.
Precautionary Lockdown
During a precautionary lockdown, normal classroom routines continue while students and staff members remain behind locked doors. Parents/Guardians may pick up their student while the precautionary lockdown is in place, but they must go through the normal check-in/check-out procedures at the main office. Access to the rest of the building will be restricted.
Full Lockdown
In a full lockdown or severe weather event, all exterior doors will remain locked. No access will be granted to parents/guardians or any other visitors. All office staff will move to a secure location inside the building. Students and staff members will remain behind locked doors and may barricade doors or windows as necessary.
For the safety of its students and employees, Jenks Public Schools will not divulge further details of its lockdown procedures or lockdown response.
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The School Emergency Response Team prepares for emergencies and disasters, responds to emergencies when they occur, and assists in recovery efforts for students, staff, families, and the greater Jenks community. SERT also works to reduce future risk and losses, and works to mitigate disasters, when possible, from occurring in the first place.
SERT utilizes four phases of comprehensive emergency management: Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. Each phase links to the others. Activities in one phase may overlap those in the previous. Preparedness moves swiftly into response when any disaster strikes a school, or in our community. Response yields to recovery at different times, depending on the extent and kind of damage. Similarly, recovery helps trigger mitigation, motivating attempts to prevent or reduce the potential for a future disaster. The disaster phases have no beginning or end, so recognition of a threat will motivate mitigation efforts just as much an actual emergency.
SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE AT JPS
Over $5 million from JPS' bond elections designated for safety and security improvements over the last 10 years
Jenks Public Schools' Police Department patrols all school sites daily
1,200 surveillance cameras placed throughout the District on school buildings and facilities
Trojan Tipline: Students, staff members, or parents can report suspicious activity or safety threat via app, text message, or JPS' website
Secure entrances at main doors of buildings.
Cameras on JPS' buses
Background check hardware at all school sites to screen visitors before entry
Random K-9 searches for drugs, weapons, and explosives
Walk-through metal detectors used for special events
Training provided to all staff members on "Get Out-Hide Out-Take Out" method when facing active assailant
Safety and security audits
Incident Management Team (IMT) trained in FEMA tactics and procedures for emergency management
Partnerships with local law enforcement and emergency management agencies
Emergency Procedures Guide given to every District Employee - contains detailed instructions and protocols for a variety of incidents, disasters, and emergencies
Multiple fire-tornado-intruder drills throughout the year
Electronic control over all exterior doors on school buildings
EMERGENCY WEBSITES AND PHONE NUMBERS:
- Emergency: 9-1-1
- Jenks Public Schools Police Department: 918-299-4415 ext. 2240 | Safe-Call Hotline (24 hours): 1-877-723-3225, ext. 651
- Jenks Police Department: 918-299-6311
- Tulsa Police Department: 918-596-9222
- Crime Stoppers: 918-596-2677
- Oklahoma School Security Institute Tipline: 855-337-8300
- Oklahoma Suicide Hotline (24 hours): 800-273-8255
- Oklahoma Child Abuse Hotline (24 hours): 800-522-3511
- Tulsa Health Department: 918-582-9355
- Cyberbullying Resources for Students & Families
SAFE PLACE LOCATIONS:
- All QuikTrip Stores
- Jenks Police Station
- Jenks Fire Station
- Tulsa Police Stations
- Tulsa Fire Stations