School Safety
Project Save
In July 2000, the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act (Project SAVE) was signed into law to promote a safer and more effective learning environment within New York State schools. SAVE legislation has multiple requirements including district-wide school safety plans, building level emergency response plans, codes of conduct, uniform violent incident reporting, instruction in civility, citizenship and character education, and school violence prevention training.
In order for the Oriskany Central School District to be the School of Innovation where students can focus on succeeding in their academic and developmental goals, the learning environment must be one of mutual respect, acceptance, and possess an interconnectedness amongst students. Importantly, a culture and climate that promotes civility, acceptance, and good citizenship must be present in order to provide an environment conducive to learning. We look forward to continuing to work with our school community towards our students continued success.
Safety Efforts Earn Oriskany Central School District Utica National’s School Safety Excellence Award
The Oriskany Central School District is one of 156 school districts and Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York State to receive the Utica National Insurance Group’s “School Safety Excellence Award” for 2019 at the Titanium with honors level.
The honor is presented annually and recognizes school districts’ safety efforts as they work to help keep students, staff and visitors safe. The Oriskany Central School District received its award at Utica National’s 39th annual school safety seminar at the Syracuse Doubletree, East Syracuse, NY, one of seven such seminars the company hosts in the state. For over 40 years, Utica National has kept kids and school staff safe and currently insures more than 300 school districts in upstate New York alone.
Oriskany Central School District officials accepted a certificate to commemorate the district’s safety efforts and a $500 award for use in furthering those efforts from Utica National representatives.
Utica National’s School Safety Excellence Award Program has three levels – titanium, platinum and gold – in which schools can earn a meritorious distinction by meeting specific criteria to enhance overall safety. Through the program, schools with their own transportation, schools with contract transportation and BOCES are evaluated. Categories covered include bullying prevention programs, playground safety and other areas, and are measured using specific, quantifiable surveys.
“Safety and health concerns continue to be a priority in our school districts,” explained Brian Saville, Resident Senior Vice President in Utica National’s Educational Institutions Unit. “Districts that go ‘above and beyond’ to provide a safe, healthy and focused culture for learning are to be applauded, and we’re pleased to count The Oriskany Central School District among them.”
Mr. Saville noted that, beyond the recognition itself, an added benefit of following the safety program is the chance to pinpoint specific threats to safety. “The time to address those threats is before a loss happens, which really helps contribute to the safety culture that districts are working toward.”
Utica National Insurance Group is a Top 100, nationally recognized insurer providing personal and commercial insurance products and services, with the second largest errors and omissions business in the United States. Utica National sells its products through more than 2,200 independent insurance agents and employs over 1,200 people countrywide. The company was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in New Hartford, New York, with seven regional offices.