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School Safety

All seven parent representatives serving on Liberty Common School’s Board of Directors have made student safety a priority.  The entire school is supported by a security team that maintains a watchful presence throughout the school day supported by surveillance devices expertly arrayed.  These measures, along with coded-entry technology, two-way radios, and backup protocols, provide a comprehensive security package to help maintain a safe environment.

Ongoing team training on each of LCS’s four campuses is reinforced through clear and effective communication, a layered safety approach, a comprehensive emergency-preparedness plan, and the adoption of a “Standard-Response Protocol.”

A document detailing the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) with icons for each action is presented on a white background.

Standard-Response Protocol

LCS conducts annual drills, on all four of its campuses, under the “Standard-Response Protocol” to ensure staff and students are prepared in emergency procedures.  The school uses uniform-response language across all emergency types.

  • Hold:  A hold may be used when something needs attention in a hallway or when extra privacy is needed.  During this time, students will stay in their classrooms and the hallways will remain clear.  Learning will continue as usual inside the classroom.  Students will remain there until an “all-clear” announcement is made.
  • Secure:  If there is a concern or situation outside of an LCS facility, safety procedures may be put in place to help keep everyone secure.  Students outside will calmly return indoors and exterior doors will be closed.  Inside the building, classes will continue as usual.  The school stays in close communication with local authorities and follows their guidance throughout.  Access to the building may be limited during this time to support everyone’s safety.  An “all clear” will be shared as soon as it is safe to resume normal outdoor activities.
  • Lockdown:  If there is a concern of a threat inside an LCS facility, additional safety steps may be taken to help protect everyone.  Students in the hallway will move to the nearest safe space, classroom, or they will self-evacuate.  Classroom doors will be secured, lights may be turned off, and students will stay quiet and out of view as a precaution.  Staff will calmly guide students and follow established safety procedures which may include staying in place or moving to a safer location if needed.
  • Evacuate:  If it becomes necessary to evacuate an LCS building, students will be guided to a safe location in a calm and orderly way.  Staff will check attendance to make sure all students and adults are present and accounted for.
  • Shelter:  At times, the school may take a “shelter-in-place” approach to stay safe during certain situations such as severe weather or other environmental concerns.  During this time, students and staff will move to designated safe areas and follow guidance from staff.  Attendance will be taken to ensure everyone is safe and accounted for.

Parents/Guardians Role:

  • Stay where you are:  Staying away from the school may be the most important step you can take to protect your student’s safety and your own.
  • Stay Updated:  LCS staff will share updates with families as quickly as possible.  Please understand, in some situations, conveying accurate information may take time.
  • Stay Ready:  Be ready to follow instructions provided by LCS.

In order to ensure safe management of each LCS student, each family is asked to complete an “Emergency-Contact Form” when making annual student-record updates.  This form should be updated to reflect a change in address, home- /work-phone numbers, and emergency contacts.  It is vital parents keep the school up-to-date with this information in case of personal or school emergencies.

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Join "Argus Watch"

 

To strengthen the school's commitment to a secure learning environment, The Argus Watch has been established as a volunteer school-security-support program encouraging community involvement in campus safety.

In Greek mythology, Argus Panoptes was known as the all-seeing guardian, a watchman whose many eyes symbolized constant awareness and vigilance.  While the legend is mythical, the values it represents are timeless:  Attentiveness, responsibility, and a commitment to protecting others.  The Argus Watch takes its name from this tradition of watchful stewardship.

The Argus Watch provides trained volunteers with the opportunity to serve as additional eyes and ears on school grounds.  Volunteers assist by maintaining a visible presence during the school day and at school events, monitoring designated public areas, reporting safety concerns, and supporting school staff in promoting a safe and welcoming atmosphere for all students.

All participants receive appropriate training and must complete all required background screening procedures before serving in the program. Volunteers do not perform law-enforcement duties but work closely with school administrators to help identify and communicate potential safety concerns.

Parents, guardians, and community members committed to supporting student safety are encouraged to consider joining The Argus Watch. Participation helps foster a stronger sense of security and partnership throughout the school community.

For additional information or to become a volunteer, please contact Jim Ramirez at (970) 658-1997 ext. 4045 or jramirez@libertycommon.org.

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Planned Response to School Closures and Schedule Changes

For unplanned events such as power outages, hazardous road conditions, public-safety concerns, or other unforeseen circumstances, LCS has procedures in place to respond to a wide range of situations.  Depending on the nature of the event, the Headmaster may cancel school, delay the start of the school day, dismiss students early, or direct some other contingency plan.

Following are details about how these decisions are communicated:

Communications:

  • LCS will announce decisions as early as possible knowing families benefit from time to arrange for childcare, transportation, etc.
  • When a school closure or schedule change is implemented, LCS will notify all parents/guardians via email and text message.  Information will also be posted on the LCS website and social-media platforms.
  • If no communication is sent regarding a closure or schedule change, families should assume school operations will proceed as scheduled (“business as usual”).

Visitors and Volunteers:

Family members, alumni, and friends are urged to volunteer or attend activities at LCS.  All visitors who enter LCS building must check in/out at the front desk.

  • Always enter the school through the secure front entrance.
  • Do not attempt to go through side doors.
  • Do not prop doors open for others.
  • Do not open side doors for others.  Direct them to enter properly through the main, secure front entrance.
vehicle identification

Don't Be A Stranger

“Don’t Be a Stranger” vehicle-identification devices are stickers, magnets, and rearview-window tags utilized by LCS families on their personal vehicles.  These security devices help staff and security-team members quickly identify familiar vehicles during drop-off, pick-up, and those parked in LCS parking lots.  These efficient devices help the LCS security team more intensively focus safety-minded scrutiny upon unrecognized “strange” vehicles.

Two people, a man and a woman, are standing on a paved road surrounded by a natural landscape with trees and bushes in the background. The woman is wearing a green dress and waving, while the man is wearing a red and white safety vest.

Security Vests

All security-team members and school staff involved in drop-off, pick-up, and security duties wear reflective vests. These vests help parents and first responders quickly identify key personnel during emergencies.

jim ramirez

Director of Security Jim Ramirez

As the Director of Security at Liberty Common, James Ramirez is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and visitors. With over 20 years of experience in security and crisis management, James brings a proactive approach to campus safety, emphasizing prevention, preparedness, and responsiveness.

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Contact Jim Ramirez

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