School Safety
The Petal School District recognizes the importance of a safe and secure environment and has specific measures in place to ensure the safety of our students and staff so they can focus on what matters most: learning and growing.
- Standard Response Protocol (SRP)
- PSD Police Force
- Report Bullying
- See Something, Say Something
- School Officers
Standard Response Protocol (SRP)
The Petal School District has adopted the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the "I Love U Guys" Foundation, joining more than 40,000 schools, districts and organizations nationwide committed to improving emergency communication and response.
SRP standardizes the vocabulary used during emergency situations—helping students, staff, families and first responders quickly understand how to respond in a crisis. This common language increases safety and reduces confusion during high-stress situations.
SRP was developed in collaboration with school administrators, mental health professionals, public safety experts, families and first responders. It is grounded in both research and real-world experience.
Our students and staff regularly train, practice and drill the SRP to ensure they are prepared to respond quickly and safely. The five standard actions used in SRP are: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter—each with clear instructions and expectations.
The strength of SRP lies in its simplicity—people of all ages can easily understand and reinforce the actions, helping everyone respond quickly and effectively in any situation.
HOLD
- There are situations that require students and staff to remain in their classrooms or stay out of access areas
- Hold is followed by the Directive: “In Your Room or Area.”
- The following are some examples of when a school might call for Hold:
- An altercation in a hallway;
- A medical issue that needs attention;
- Unfinished maintenance operation in a common area during class changes.
SECURE
- The Secure Action is called when there is a threat or hazard outside of the school building.
- Secure is followed by the Directive: “Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors.”
- The following are some examples of when a school might call for Secure:
- An unknown or unauthorized person on the grounds;
- Dangerous animal on or near the grounds;
- Criminal activity in the area;
- Planned police activity in the neighborhood.
LOCKDOWN
- Lockdown is called when there is a threat or hazard inside the school building.
- Lockdown is followed by the Directive: “Locks, Lights, Out of Sight.”
- The following are some examples of when a school might call for Lockdown:
- Dangerous animal within a school building;
- Intruder;
- An angry or violent parent or student;
- Report of a weapon;
- Active assailant.
EVACUATE
- Evacuate is called when there is a need to move people from one location to another for safety reasons.
- Evacuate is followed by the Directive: “Evacuate! To a location."
- Ex: "Evacuate to the flag pole!"
- The following are some examples of when a school might call for Evacuate:
- Power outage;
- Fire;
- Gas leak or hazmat situation;
- Violent threat or action;
- Water leak or pipe burst.
SHELTER
- Shelter is called when specific protective actions are needed based on a threat or hazard.
- Shelter is followed by the Directive: Shelter! For a hazard. Using safety strategy."
- ex: "Shelter for a Tornado! Go to the tornado shelter."
- The following are some examples of when a school might call for Hazards:
- Tornado;
- Severe weather;
- Wildfires;
- Flooding;
- Hazmat spill or release;
- Earthquake.
PSD Police Force
The Petal School District (PSD) operates its police force by the requirements and regulations of the Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards & Training. PSD employs certified law enforcement officers as school resource officers. PSD officers are certified by the State of Mississippi and are vested with the power to keep and preserve the peace on school property, including the power to make arrests, detain violators and execute all the powers of a constable.
The Petal School Police Department consists of multiple sworn officers who are assigned to schools throughout the district to serve and protect over 4,000 students, faculty and staff. School officers are responsible for campus patrol; initial case investigations; subsequent follow-up; and when necessary, making arrests.
Additionally, the officers provide classroom presentations, counsel students and parents, engage students through mentoring and serve as positive role models to help promote healthy relationships between youth and law enforcement.
Report Bullying
STUDENT COMPLAINTS OF BULLYING OR HARASSING BEHAVIOR - PROCEDURES
I. Procedures for Reporting a Complaint
Any student, school employee or volunteer who feels they have been a victim of bullying or harassing behavior, or has witnessed or who has reliable information that a student, school employee, or volunteer has been subject to bullying or harassing behavior shall report such conduct to a teacher, principal, counselor, or other school official. The report shall be made promptly, but no later than five (5) calendar days after the alleged act or acts occurred. (HB 263-D)
The school official shall complete a “Bullying/Harassing Behavior” complaint form which shall include the name of the reporting person, the specific nature and date of the misconduct, the name(s) of the victim(s) of the misconduct, the name(s) of any witness(es) and any other information that would assist in the investigation of the complaint. The report shall be given promptly to the principal or superintendent who shall institute an immediate investigation. Complaints against the principal shall be made to the superintendent, and complaints against the superintendent shall be made to the Board chairman. The complaint shall be investigated promptly. (HB 263-F)
Parents or guardians will be notified of the nature of any complaint involving their student. The District official will arrange such meetings as may be necessary with all concerned parties within five (5) working days after initial receipt of the complaint by the District. The parties will have an opportunity to submit evidence and a list of witnesses. All findings related to the complaint will be reduced to writing. The District official conducting the investigation shall notify the victim and parents as appropriate when the investigation is completed and a decision regarding disciplinary action, as warranted, is determined. (HB 263 - C)
If the victim is not satisfied with the decision of the District official, they may submit a written appeal to the superintendent. Such appeal shall be filed within ten (10) working days after receipt of the results of the initial decision. The superintendent will arrange such meetings with the victim and other affected parties as deemed necessary to discuss the appeal. The superintendent shall provide a written decision to the victim’s appeal within ten (10) working days.
If the victim is not satisfied with the decision of the superintendent, a written appeal may be filed with the Board. Such appeal shall be filed within ten (10) working days after receipt of the decision of the superintendent. The Board shall, within twenty (20) working days, allow the victim and parents as appropriate to appear before the Board to present reasons for dissatisfaction with the decision of the superintendent. The Board shall provide a written decision within ten (10) working days following the victim’s appearance before the Board.
If, after an investigation, a student is found to be a victim of bullying, such student shall not face disciplinary action on the basis of that student's use of “reasonable self-defense was in response to the bullying” (HB 263-G & 2). If the victim of bullying is a student with disabilities, disciplinary action for the offender shall comply with the requirements of federal law including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 USCS Section 1400 et seq) (HB 263-H).
The procedures for reporting bullying shall also be posted on the district website (HB 263-3).
§ Legal Reference: MS Code of 1972 37-11-67 and 37-11-69
