Making Park Center a safe and secure place is a responsibility of each person in the building. The simple act of teachers providing instructions and students following them plays a positive role in the school's security. Following the instructions that are given keeps everything under control and less chaotic. Park Center’s security system is well organized and thoroughly thought out.

Various security components at Park Center include the sally ports in the main north and south entrances, human greeters, and 24 hour security cameras. The sally ports for the north and south entrances keep the building secured by allowing who comes in and out. Sally ports are the secured area between the two sets of doors. Having to sign in with the greeter in the north entrance and having to enter through the front office in the south end helps maintain the safety of the school by identifying who is let into the building. Also, to help identify who people are, staff are required to wear their identification badges and visitors are to wear visitor badges. To keep a watchful eye on what is happening around the school, there are three hall monitors. The hall monitors make sure everybody is where they are supposed to be.

Wondering what those black ovals sticking out of the ceilings are? They are security cameras, which are scattered throughout the building. The camera system is set up in Mr. Harris’ office, where he can keep a look out on everything that is taking place around the school. The security cameras help with intruders and also help administrators act proactively. For instance, if Mr. Harris detects something wrong, he can radio one of the administrators who is close by to check it out. The cameras have helped during many past incidents. For example, last year’s firecracker incident was solved using the cameras. Administrators were able to identify the student who threw them by looking at the recording. Security cameras are also useful if there were a theft in the locker rooms. Staff would able to see who came in and out during the time period of which the item was stolen.

Throughout the school year, there are certain precaution procedures that are done in case of an emergency. Emergency response procedures include evacuation drills and "shelter in place" drills. Examples of the procedures include fire drills, which would fall under evacuation drills, and tornado drills for shelter in place. There are also lockdown procedures, which are done 5 times each year. Park Center also has mapped out long term evacuation plans involving the football stadium and a neighboring church.

Before and after school, there are certain courses of action done to maintain safety and security. Between 6:30-7:00 a.m., students are not allowed to walk around the building. Students may be escorted if they have an appointment with a teacher or students may go to the Forum Room for a quiet place to sit and study, supervised by a staff member. Everyday there is one administrator who goes on late night duty and does rounds throughout the school. All doors around the school remain locked with the exception of the secured main entrances. The after school study hall in the forum room is also staffed for help and safety.

During the school day, when coming in late or leaving early, there are certain things you have to do. If you come in late to school, and enter through the north entrance, you are to sign in with the greeter who will give you a pass to go to the attendance office. If you are coming through the south entrance, you have to check in with the attendance office. It does not matter which entrance you come into school, you are always going to check in at the attendance office. If you are leaving school early, you either need a note signed by a parent, or your parents need to call to clear through the attendance office. And if you are leaving early for PSEO, you need a pass to show for that.

All in all, parents and students should know that the Osseo Area School District’s number one priority is for the security and safety of everyone. Having a safe building is an important asset in a school because then you are able to focus all of your attention on your education. At Park Center, students are fortunate to have incredibly devoted staff members who work very hard everyday to keep our learning environment safe.

-Maria Pham, PCSH Webteam