FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 20, 2025

Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District Observes America’s Safe Schools Week: October 19–24

The Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District proudly recognizes America’s Safe Schools Week, observed from October 19th to 24th, as an opportunity to highlight the critical safety and security initiatives underway across our campuses.

Over the past year, the District’s safety team, in partnership with local law enforcement and emergency responders, has advanced a series of strategic improvements to further safeguard our schools. While some of these initiatives are highly visible, others operate behind the scenes—all with the shared goal of protecting students, staff, and the community.

Below is a summary of key accomplishments and upcoming initiatives shared by our School Resource Officer, Nicholas R. Pasquarosa, Jr.:

Ongoing Initiatives and Accomplishments

Raptor Alert App Deployment

To improve emergency mass communication and accountability during a crisis, we’ve acquired and deployed the Raptor Alert software to faculty, staff, and administrators across the district.

Stop-the-Bleed – “First 10 Patients Kits”

A new concept—developed collaboratively by the D-Y Police Services Unit, the D-Y Nurse Corps, and other contributors—has brought life-saving trauma kits to every school. These pre-positioned “First 10 Patients Kits” are designed to provide immediate treatment for up to ten individuals in the event of a mass casualty incident.

District Adoption of CSTAG

We’ve begun implementing the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG)—a research-backed framework to identify, assess, and manage potential threats in a fair and systematic way. This effort includes training key personnel and adopting a companion software platform to streamline the threat assessment process.

Looking Ahead: Safety Initiatives for 2025–2026

Stop-the-Bleed Training

Training for all District faculty and staff will soon be rolled out to complement the trauma kits already in place.

Raptor Student Safe

A new reporting and workflow tool—built around the CSTAG model—will enable students and staff to report concerning behavior and ensure timely intervention.

Standard Reunification Method

As part of the "I Love U Guys" Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol, the District is adopting the Standard Reunification Method, designed to reunite students with their families efficiently and safely after an emergency.

Mutual Aid Pact with St. Pius X School

A formal partnership is in the works to enhance safety and emergency response coordination with neighboring St. Pius X School on Station Avenue.

The Foundation of Our Safety Commitment

Daily police presence at school drop-offs, pick-ups, and throughout the day, along with regularly scheduled evacuation and lockdown drills, continue to form the foundation of our safety practices. The D-Y Safety Team, a multidisciplinary group of District personnel, works closely with the Dennis and Yarmouth Police and Fire Departments, meeting monthly to advise, plan, and implement safety strategies.

As we mark America’s Safe Schools Week, we reaffirm our ongoing commitment to making our schools safe places for learning, growth, and community.