School Safety is a responsibility shared by everyone.

  • The Hamburg Area School District has a detailed Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to provide a framework from which the district can build a safe and secure learning environment with the ability to respond promptly and appropriately in the event of an emergency. Whether it is planning, prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery, the district strives to manage every phase of emergency prevention and readiness competently and effectively. There are several sections of the EOP that will remain private due to safety and security precautions. The public section of the document can be found in the HASD EOP BASIC PLAN.

    HASD is committed:

    To work with families, faculty, and the community to build a positive learning environment that fully engages the whole child, in a boundariless learning environment.

    At times there maybe factors present that can inhibit the learning process. The Student Assistance Program may be able to help identify those factors or barriers to learning. Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a systematic team process used to mobilize school resources to remove barriers to learning. SAP is designed to assist in identifying issues including alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and mental health issues which pose a barrier to a student’s success. The primary goal of the Student Assistance Program is to help students overcome these barriers so that they may achieve, advance, and remain in school.  HASD has strong partnerships with Caron and Family Guidance Center.

    High School Counselors Page

    Middle School Counselor's Page

    Perry Counselors Page

    Tilden Counselor's Page

    Warning Signs

    Adolescence is a time of many transitions. Some moodiness and change in a student's behavior is part of normal development. However, when you notice a marked change or gradual deterioration over a period of time it should cause concern.

    Please contact a member of SAP if you notice any of the following signs listed below. The team can assist in deciding if a student needs help in accessing appropriate community resources. Referral forms may also be submitted in the blue box in the Nurse’s office.

    • Deterioration of relationships with family members
    • Change in friends
    • Change in eating habits
    • Change in sleeping habits
    • Excessive need for privacy
    • Change in personal grooming or attire
    • Poor school attendance
    • Declining grades
    • Lost interest in hobbies, sports and other favorite activities
    • Unexplained moodiness or anger
    • Unusual fatigue or burst of energy
    • Unusual spending habits or having unexplained money
    • Possessing drug paraphernalia
    • Glassy bloodshot eyes
    • Frequent cold like symptoms

Resources - below contains several resources that you may access.

  • 10 Critical Warning Signs of Violence 

    Here is a list of ten potential warning signs* that can signal an individual may be in crisis or need help:

    1. Suddenly withdrawing from friends, family and activities (including online or via social media)

    2. Bullying, especially if targeted towards differences in race, religion, gender or sexual orientation 

    3. Excessive irritability, lack of patience, or becoming angry quickly

    4. Experiencing chronic loneliness or social isolation 

    5. Expressing persistent thoughts of harming themselves or someone else

    6. Making direct threats toward a place, another person, or themselves

    7. Bragging about access to guns or weapons

    8. Recruiting accomplices or audiences for an attack 

    9. Directly expressing a threat as a plan 

    10. Cruelty to animals.

    * NOTE: This isn’t a complete list of all warning signs. Exhibiting one of these signs doesn’t necessarily indicate imminent violence. When concerned about troubling behaviors, tell a trusted adult or call 911 if there is an immediate threat.

    3 Steps of Say Something

    1. Recognize The Signs

    Learn about different types of warning signs or threats and how to spot them, especially on social media.

    2. Act Immediately, Take It Seriously

    Understand strategies to take action and overcome potential barriers to being an “upstander” rather than a “bystander.”

    3. Say Something

    Learn how to intervene by telling a trusted adult or using an anonymous reporting system.

    **NOTE: Content above adapted from Sandyhookpromise.com

  • Standard Response Protocols

    We continue to take steps to improve our practices to establish a safe learning environment for all of our students and staff. Also, it is essential that parents/guardians understand their role during emergency events and the terminology that our school district uses in such situations; therefore, we ask you for your assistance by reviewing the items outlined in the Parent Guide to Standard Response Protocol (SRP) in the link above and by reminding your children of the importance of school safety drills. We perform situational safety drills in all of our buildings throughout the year so our students and employees may learn how to respond to various emergencies appropriately and confidently.

    Throughout the school year, our district will be practicing a variety of safety drills. While we acknowledge that some drills may be unsettling to our students, we must practice our response to such situations to ensure the safety of all students and staff. Additionally, we would like to reassure everyone that HASD collaborates continually with our local police, state police, and local first responders who have uninterrupted access to our facility, building maps, and contact information. This also enables them to assess and evaluate our emergency drills, making the necessary adjustments to our safety plans.

    In the event of an actual emergency, the school district and emergency responders would establish the necessary communications and provide direction for reuniting with your child. It is important to remember that if such an event occurs, parents should report where directed by official communications. Do not report to the school campus unless directed to do so, as that may further compromise the safety of all.

    Your understanding, support, and cooperation are critical as we take these precautionary safety actions on behalf of our students and employees. We are committed to working together with our school community at HASD to continue to maintain our students' and staff's safety.

  • Safe2SaySomething

    What is Safe2Say Something?

    Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.

    Here’s how it works:

    Submit an anonymous tip report through the Safe2SaySomething system

    Crisis center reviews, assesses and processes all submissions

    Crisis center sends all submissions to school administration and/or law enforcement  for intervention.

    If needed, crisis center may contact tipster anonymously through the app.

    How to sumbit a tip?

    Get the App

    Call 1-844-SAF2SAY   or   1-844-723-2729

  • Holcomb Crisis - 610-379-2007 OR Toll Free 1-888-219-3910

    Holcomb Crisis Intervention offers a crisis program to assist children, adolescents and adults experiencing varying levels of crisis. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are free to the residents of Berks County. Holcomb Crisis Intervention has a culturally diverse staff, including individuals fluent in Spanish.

    ru OK? Berks 1-888-219-3910 or 610-379-2007

    text ruOK 484-816-7865

    The Berks County Suicide Prevention Task Force was developed in 2015. The task force is a group of community members with common goals who have come together to focus on the needs of our community so that we can eliminate stigma of mental illness and put an end to suicide.

    pa211 United Way of PA -Get connected to our most-requested resources for housing, utilities, food, employment and expenses, health, and mental health. View the full list of our resources for PA on our search page. To get help from a resource navigator, text your zip code to 898-211 or dial 211. 

     If you or a loved one have contemplated suicide, call The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to connect with a trained counselor.

  • National Alliance of Mental Illness in Berks County

    NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
     
    NAMI Berks County is an affiliate of NAMI PA. NAMI Berks County and dedicated volunteers, members and leaders work tirelessly to raise awareness and provide essential education, advocacy and support group programs for people in our community living with mental illness and their loved ones.

  • SAMHSA’s National Helpline SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. 

    SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

  • HASD Threat Assessment Team

    Dr. Beissel - Superintendent of Schools

    Dr. Gravish - Team Leader - Director of School Safety and Security

    High School

    Mr. McGinley - Principal

    Mrs. Fink - Assistant Principal

    Mr. Marra - HASD Director of Special Education

    Middle School

    Mr. Easter - Principal

     - Assistant Principal

    Tilden

    Dr. Cucciuffo - Principal

    Mrs. Arms - Counselor

    Mr. McFarland - Home School Visitor

    Perry

    Mrs. Berger - Principal

    Mrs. Anderson - School Counselor

    Mrs. Vega - Teacher

    Hamburg Borough Police Department

    Chief Kuklinski

    Corporal Chase

    Detective Mohl

    Tilden Police Department

    Officer Cataldi