In June of 2019, legislation was enacted to assist schools in creating safer environments. Article XIII-E, threat assessment was added to the Pennsylvania School Code. The law states that each school entity (school district, intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter school, regional charter school, or cyber charter school) shall establish at least one threat assessment team. In accordance with the legislation, the School Safety and Security Committee (SSSC), Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), and key stakeholders from across Pennsylvania developed model procedures and guidance material to help local schools establish and operate threat assessment teams.

Each school building in WCSD has a threat assessment team. Staff members on the Student Assistance Team (SAP) are also the members of the school's threat assessment team.

A threat is a behavior or behaviors that indicates an individual poses a danger to the safety of school staff or students through acts of violence or other behavior that would cause harm to self or others. The threat may be expressed/communicated behaviorally, orally, visually, in writing, electronically, or through any other means. These actions can be considered a threat regardless of whether it is observed by or communicated directly to the target of the threat or observed by a third party, and regardless of whether the target of the threat is aware of the threat.

If a threat to the staff, students or school is reported, the threat assessment team will first address the threat through interviews and investigation. Once triaged, it will be determined the direction the District will need to go regarding the threat.

If you or your child is aware of a potential threat to the school, students or staff, please report immediately to the school directly, through the Safe to Say program at https://www.safe2saypa.org/, or call 911.