School Safety
At Newberry Community School, the safety and well-being of our students and staff are a top priority. We are committed to providing a secure, welcoming learning environment where students feel protected, supported, and able to focus on learning.
NCS follows all state and district safety requirements and works proactively to maintain a campus culture grounded in preparedness, communication, and care.
Campus Safety Measures
NCS implements a comprehensive school safety plan that meets Florida law and the School District of Alachua County requirements. Key components include:
- A safe-school officer on campus during all student contact hours
- Regular emergency drills to prepare students and staff for a variety of situations
- Clearly defined emergency response procedures
- Ongoing review and improvement of safety practices
These measures are designed to ensure readiness while maintaining a calm, supportive school environment.
Threat Management & Prevention
NCS maintains a trained Threat Management Team responsible for identifying, assessing, and responding to potential concerns. This team works collaboratively to address issues early and take appropriate action to support student safety and well-being.
School Culture & Expectations
A safe school environment is supported not only by procedures, but by the daily culture students experience.
Newberry Community School follows the School District of Alachua County’s Code of Student Conduct to ensure clear, consistent expectations for behavior across campus. These expectations help create predictability, accountability, and a shared understanding of how students and staff care for one another.
Through structured routines, character education, and proactive practices, the school promotes a respectful learning environment that supports student safety and well-being. When expectations are clear and relationships are strong, students are better able to focus, feel secure, and take responsibility for their actions.
FortifyFL
NCS uses FortifyFL, the State of Florida’s official suspicious activity reporting system, as an additional layer of safety and prevention.
FortifyFL allows students, families, staff, and community members to anonymously report concerns related to school safety, including potential threats, unsafe behavior, or other concerning situations. Reports are monitored and routed to appropriate school and law enforcement officials for review and follow-up.
This tool supports early intervention and reinforces a shared responsibility for keeping our school community safe.
