School Safety

The Barnstable Police Department’s Adopt-A-School Program maintains a police presence in the Town of Barnstable’s public elementary schools.  The Adopt-A-School Program consists of a team of officers assigned to perform specialized functions at a specific public elementary school.

The goals of the Adopt-A-School program are to:

• Work in partnership with the Barnstable Public Schools
• Streamline police services in the schools
• Enhance school safety
• Provide appropriate safety training for students
• Provide positive role models for students
• Establish close working relationships between officers & school staff
• Create positive relations between the Department, school staff, students and their families

Adopt-A-School Officers are responsible for:

• Creating a team like atmosphere between the police department and schools
• Acting as Department liaison to their school, its students, parents and staff
• Developing a good working relationship with school administrators and staff
• Providing regular safety checks at their school while on duty
• Addressing crime and disorder problems that adversely affect the proper learning environment of their schools
• Assisting in crime prevention activities that may reduce crime in or around their school
• Participating in activities such as having lunch with students, assisting at recess periods, etc.
• Attending school social and sporting events, school council and PTO meetings, as necessary,
• Assisting in the investigation of crimes committed by any person(s) within their school or on school property.

The Barnstable Police Department recognizes that Adopt-A-School Officers are a unique resource regarding their assigned school, and its staff and students. Officers perform their duties within the school and in addition to their regular patrol activities. Officer participation in the Adopt-A-School Program is on voluntary basis. 

Emergency Protocol

In most cases, the Evacuation of a school building is a temporary mat­ter. Evacuations most often occur due to a fire drill or a malfunction­ing alarm. In these cases, all stu­dents and building personnel exit their building and congregate in designated areas until the fire de­partment authorizes re-entry.

In the event of an emergency or dis­aster occurring in our area that requires everyone to leave the building permanently, the Barnstable Public Schools, in conjunc­tion with the Barnstable Police and Fire Departments, has developed a plan to reunite students with their families.

If an emergency or disaster situa­tion occurs while school is in ses­sion, please help us care for all stu­dents:

1. Please Remain Calm
    
2. DO NOT call the school (it is important to keep home and school lines open). Our Emergency Phone Contact Sys­tem will provide information to all parents/guardians
    
3. DO NOT drive to school. Our Emergency Phone Contact System will provide information to all parents/guardians on which location you should go to reunite with your child(ren)
    
4. Tune in to local news stations

Transportation

Students will be transported to the Reunification location.  You will receive information and instructions via an automated telephone message. If normally required, transportation for students with special circumstances will be provided to the Reunification location.

If you are instructed to pick up your child:

• Please bring photo I.D.
• Check-in with school officials
• A staff member will unite you with your child
• Please make sure you sign your child out as dismissed
• Promptly leave the Reunification site’s grounds

A Parent’s/Guardian’s To-Do List

The success of the plan depends on your cooperation. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself and your family with this emergency plan. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in the schools.

1.  Always update student emergency online information in the district portal including contacts
2. Tune in to local new channels and local cable TV
3. Please discuss this information with your child
4. Share this plan with the two in­dividuals listed on your child’s emergency information
    

Reunification Locations

Supervised students will be transported to the reunification location. You will be advised of the location by phone message. 

• Cape Cod Community College
  2240 Iyannough Rd,
  West Barnstable
   
• Barnstable Municipal Airport
  480 Barnstable Rd. Hyannis 

• Evacuation Brochure_Spanish.pdf
• Evacuation Brochure_Portuguese.pdf

Mail the Completed Form to:

Barnstable Police Department
1200 Phinney’s Lane
Hyannis, MA 02601

Deliver the Completed Form to:

Barnstable Police Department Headquarters
1200 Phinney’s Lane
Hyannis, MA 02601