School Security

In response to security threats at Jewish organizations and educational institutions, Prizmah has curated resources that will provide your school and community with information and tools to be prepared to handle difficult situations as they arise. If you have additional resources you think would be useful to others, please send them to Prizmah.

Most Recent Updates

Security Considerations & Guidance for Jewish Community Institutions 

While SCN and our Federal partners assess there is no credible threat against Jewish institutions in the United States at this time, specifically related to the recent events in Israel, given the significance of the events and potential security implications they may spark, Jewish institutions should assess their current security operations and ensure appropriate levels of situational awareness are being exercised.In addition to more extensive security considerations in the Resource section below, SCN is providing the below “Top 10 Security Considerations” organizations should review and implement as part of a comprehensive security posture and program:

1. Limit entrance points. Have a single point of entry and establish access control measures (including checking every guest or visitor). Ensure all windows, doors, and other entry points are secure. Test alarm systems.
2. Make sure exits and entrances are clearly marked and unobstructed.
3. Ensure trusted individuals have access to floor plans, necessary keys, or passwords to physically access the building; the ability to operate alarm systems; and access to online platforms in use (e.g. Zoom, Facebook Live).
4. Enable caller ID on phones, place an incident checklist near every phone, and train staff on what to say – and not say – when answering the phone (e.g., do not give out security information related to your facility).
5. Have first aid kits, Stop the Bleed® kits, and functional AEDs strategically located throughout the facility. Make sure individuals are trained on how to use these.
6. Conduct trainings repeatedly. Contact your Jewish security initiative or SCN to facilitate training such as BeAware: Introduction to Situational Awareness; Countering Active Threat Training; and Stop the Bleed®.
7. Invite local law enforcement agencies to conduct a walkthrough of your facility. Ensure they have copies of relevant floor plans and are aware of events and general operating times.
8. Convene a security committee to review plans, processes, and procedures.
9. Establish ways to quickly communicate with staff, faculty, students, guests, and parents in the event of an incident – both inside the facility and elsewhere in the community. Test and update these systems regularly.
10. Always report incidents, suspicious activity, or other concerns to local law enforcement, your Jewish security initiative (if applicable), and the SCN Duty Desk at [email protected] or 844.SCN.DESK.

Resources

• Prizmah Secure Community Network Resources
• Outdoor Services and Events - Secure Community Network (SCN)
• Civil Unrest - Facility Preparedness - Secure Community Network (SCN)
• Low-Cost/No-Cost Security Measures for Jewish Facilities - Secure Community Network (SCN)
• Suspicious Activity Reporting: Indicators and Examples - Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Recognize the Signs of Terrorism-Related Suspicious Activity - Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Cyber Security Checklist - Secure Community Network (SCN)
• Social Media Awareness - Secure Community Network (SCN)
• How to Spot a Phishing Scam - Secure Community Network (SCN)
  
  (Updated 10/12/2023)

Prizmah Curated Knowledge

• Protecting Religious or Communal Institutions, an ADL guide 
• Prizmah webinar on crisis communication plan 
• Speaking with Students During Trying Times 
• Active shooter preparedness guide, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Anxiety and PTSD, how to identify in students, HELPGUIDE.ORG
• Bomb Threat Guidance, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Explaining the News to Our Kids, Common Sense Media
• FEMA Security Grant process, U.S. Department of Homeland Security 
• Helping Children Cope in Unsettling Times; Tips for Parents and Children, National Association of School Psychologists
• Hoax Threats Can Be Scary, Too, JCRC-NY 
• How to talk with your children about anti-Semitism, PJ Library
• Security and Emergency Resources, JCRC-NY
• Talking with Kids about News - Strategies for Talking and Listening, PBS Parents
• To Evacuate or Not to Evacuate, That is the Question, JCRC-NY

Information for speaking with students

• Bomb Threats: "Why Does This Keep Happening To Us?", Southern Poverty Law Center
• Explaining the News to Our Kids, Common Sense Media
• Helping Children Cope in Unsettling Times; Tips for Parents and Children, National Association of School Psychologists
• How to talk with your children about anti-Semitism, PJ Library  
• Responding to Crisis, Jewish Education Center of Cleveland
• Strategies for Talking and Listening, PBS: Talking with Kids about News
• When Bad Things Happen, Southern Poverty Law Center

Other sources of security information

• JCRC’s Security and Emergency Resources 
• Ideas for security enhancements at low to minimal costs