Safety and Security

East Pennsboro Area School District is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for all of our students and staff. As a school district, the safety and welfare of our students and staff is our highest priority.

District administrators meet regularly with our local emergency responders to maintain effective emergency operations planning for the safety of our students and staff. While nothing is ever fail-safe, we believe the following actions help provide a safe environment for our students:

• All building doors are locked during the school day. Visitors are permitted to enter the buildings after identifying themselves and their purpose to the office personnel. While this may at times seem like an inconvenience, it is essential that we know every person who enters our schools’ doors. 
• All staff members are required to wear identification badges to ensure that they are easily identifiable. Visitors must also sign in at the office and wear a visitor’s identification badge/sticker.
• District and building administrators are visible in schools and at extracurricular events.
• Students and staff practice safety drills throughout the school year to ensure students and staff are prepared to respond to a crisis.
• The District conducts Risk and Vulnerability Assessments with local security professionals to determine areas of needed safety improvement at schools.
• We ask staff to be vigilant in monitoring guests as they walk the halls of our buildings; staff is instructed that in the event they observe someone without a District-authorized identification, they are to question the individual’s presence and escort them back to the office.

Dear Panther Families,

Earlier this month, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed Act 44 of 2025, which amends the Public School Code to require direct notification to parents/guardians and school employees when a student is found in possession of a weapon on school property, at a school-sponsored activity, or on school transportation. This new law, titled Parental and Employee Notification of Weapon Incidents, takes effect on January 6, 2026.

Historically, families have been notified when incidents involved a dangerous weapon or harmful intent. Weapon violations on school property are exceedingly rare and, in some cases, accidental—for example, when a student forgets to remove a pocketknife from a jacket after fishing or hunting the day before.

It is also important to note that the statutory definition of a “weapon” in the Public School Code is very broad. It includes items such as look-alike or replica weapons, pocketknives, box cutters, fireworks, and other objects. This broad definition is intended to ensure a high level of sensitivity to potential threats.

As a result of Act 44, families and staff may receive more frequent notifications, including in situations that do not pose an active safety threat. An increase in notifications should not be interpreted as an increase in danger within our schools; rather, it reflects a change in legal notification requirements.

Please be assured that the district will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners, threat assessment teams, and safety and security personnel. The well-being of our students and staff remains our highest priority. Act 44 reinforces the importance of transparency and partnership with families, and we appreciate your continued support as we work together to maintain safe and supportive learning environments for all students.

If you have any questions, please contact your building principal.

Thank you & Happy New Year,

EPASD Administration