Gaston County Schools
County Schools
School Safety
School safety and security is a top priority
School safety, alongside academic achievement, continues to be a priority for Gaston County Schools. Year after year, we rank as one of the safest large school districts in the state based on the “school crime rate” that is calculated annually by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.
For 2023-2024, the “school crime rate” for Gaston County was 5.216 – this is below the state rate of 8.097. The “school crime rate” reflects the number of incidents per 1,000 students; the lower the rate, the safer the school district is considered to be. For the past 15 school years, Gaston County’s rate has been lower than the state average.
In Gaston County, we are fortunate to have resource officers assigned to all schools, and they play a crucial role in our ongoing efforts to ensure school safety for students, employees, and others. We have a strong commitment to safe schools because of support from our parents and the community as well as our excellent partnership with law enforcement and the justice system. Additionally, all schools are equipped with cameras, a visitor check-in system, and a buzz-in entry system to enhance safety, and metal detection screenings are conducted regularly.
When it comes to school safety, being vigilant is key. If you have a question or concern about safety and security, contact the principal at your child’s school. If you have information related to a school-related threat or emergency, contact school administration or law enforcement immediately.
Bullying: It can affect everyone
We know that bullying can have an effect on everyone in the school environment – those students who are bullied, those students who bully, and those students who are aware of or witness bullying. The Gaston County Schools Student Code of Conduct states the following about bullying:
“Students shall not bully or harass other students. Harassment or bullying behavior is any pattern of gestures or written, electronic, or verbal communications, or any physical act or any threatening communication that places a student or school employee in actual and reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property or creates or is certain to create a hostile environment by substantially interfering with or impairing a student’s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits. Examples of behavior that may constitute bullying or harassment include, but are not limited to, verbal taunts, name-calling and put-downs, epithets, derogatory comments or slurs, lewd propositions, exclusion from peer groups, extortion of money or possessions, implied or stated threats, assault, impeding or blocking movement, offensive touching or any physical interference with normal work or movement, and visual insults such as derogatory posters or cartoons and sharing photos or videos of a person that may subject a person to ridicule or insult. Legitimate age-appropriate techniques are not considered harassment or bullying.”
The consequences for bullying include in-school discipline, out-of-school suspension, and alternative placement and/or long-term suspension; law enforcement may be involved and a threat assessment may be conducted. See Board of Education Policy 4329/7311 for more information.
Because of the harmful effects of bullying, we encourage students and parents to contact a teacher or the school office whenever there is a concern about bullying.
“Say Something” reporting system
The “Say Something” anonymous reporting system is available for students and parents to submit safety concerns, and it includes the ability to report individuals who may be at-risk of hurting themselves or others. The system enables school administration and law enforcement to intervene and help prevent acts of bullying, self-harm, suicide, violence, and other forms of threatening behavior. A tip can be submitted at any time using the Sandy Hook Promise website, on the mobile app, or by phone (1-844-5-SayNow). This reporting system is one of the ways students and parents can report their concern; they may also talk to any school staff member, if they do not want to use the “Say Something” system.
Student Code of Conduct
Gaston County Schools has established a Student Code of Conduct, which provides information about student behavior and expectations at school. The Student Code of Conduct outlines the rules and procedures that are in place to maintain a safe and orderly school environment. Students and parents are encouraged to review the Student Code of Conduct carefully, and they should contact the school office should they have questions or concerns.
TALK ABOUT IT: Responsible Use of Social Media
Unfortunately, schools experience situations involving inappropriate, suspicious, and/or threatening messages on social media. These types of messages (even when they are determined to be non-credible) create safety concerns for the school and community, have an adverse effect on student attendance, and divert school personnel’s attention away from what is most important – the teaching and learning that takes place in our classrooms. Here are five tips to remember:
- Parents are encouraged to talk with their child/children about the use of social media. Using social media inappropriately can have long-term consequences. When students post online, they are creating a digital footprint that can follow them for the rest of their lives.
- Social media threats are not taken lightly, and young people must be responsible when posting, reposting, and sharing anything online. When a situation involving a threatening post or message occurs, law enforcement will be involved. Adults also have to be responsible when posting, reposting, and sharing information online and should avoid spreading inaccurate information.
- Making a threat against a school, student, school employee, or anyone else is a crime and will result in criminal charges. Police will seek to prosecute anyone suspected of making such a threat, even if it is meant as a joke or prank. Additionally, schools will take student disciplinary action, which may include out-of-school suspension and/or alternative placement.
- While social media platforms have privacy settings, your identity is not as private as you may think. Police are able to track social media and identify persons involved in illegal activity.
- Being vigilant is important. If you have information that is a concern, please contact school administration and/or law enforcement immediately.
