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BELLEFONTE -- The Bellefonte Area School Board of Directors heard briefly about safety plans within the district.
Superintendent Tammie Burnaford gave a report on Act 55 and safety updates during the board's meeting.
According to her report, last week during the parent council meeting, principals and administrators shared the district's safety plans, along with individual school procedures and protocols.
Though Burnaford couldn't give exact details about safety plans, the aim was to touch on basic points and share updates and expansions.
The board previously approved the installation of more cameras, parking lot bollards and additional fencing at each building through the financial support of grant monies.
Burnaford also highlighted the schools proactive approach to school safety in accordance with Act 55.
The act, enacted by state legislature in July 2022, requires school districts to have Threat or Risk Assessment teams -- which the school already had in place for years -- and to increase staff training. Currently, the school is increasing training.
They will also be offering in-person safety training for the entire staff on opening day in August.
BASD offers programs to support students such as the School Wide Positive Behavior and Intervention System (SWPBIS), Safe to Say, Student Assistance Program (SAP) and various partnerships with community agencies.
School Resource Officers present lessons to classes throughout the district about social media and technology, building relationships with individual students.
The school's Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (EIB) program recently had a Professional Learning Day focused on helping and supporting students who have experienced trauma in the past, or are currently experiencing trauma.
"Safety is always our number one priority, and we strive to do better every single day to ensure students' physical and mental health safety," said Burnaford.
The board has also approved the establishment of a student activities account for the BAHS Chinese Club.
The purpose of this club is to promote cultural awareness within the school and community, to create an environment of tolerance and understanding of people of other cultures and to involve students in the planning and activities, including decision-making, fundraising and organization.
During the first meeting of this club, members will be nominated and voted into officer positions. President, vice-president, secretary and treasurer will all have their own specific duties to maintain during club time.
In other news:
-- The board has approved various job descriptions, including: cafeteria lead cook, cafeteria cashier, cafeteria worker, maintenance, head of maintenance and technology support technician.
-- The board has approved 20 volunteers for the 2022-23 school year to be spread across the school buildings.