Threat Assessment

In accordance with state law, the Towanda Area School District has established a districtwide Threat Assessment Team.  The purpose of the team is to keep everyone safe while at school or a school sponsored event.  The team will assess and intervene with students who pose a threat to themselves and/or other students.  Threats can be reported to a Threat Assessment Team member, through the Safe2Say Something Program, or through any trusted district staff member.

 

A threat is a communication of intent to harm someone that may be spoken, written, gestured or expressed in some other form, such as via text messaging, e-mail or other digital means.  An expression of intent to harm someone is considered a threat regardless of whether it is communicated to the intended target(s) and regardless of whether the intended target is aware of the threat.  Threats may be implied by behavior that an observer would reasonably regard as threatening, planning or preparing to commit a violent act.

 

Threats that are not easily recognized as harmless (e.g., an obvious joke that worries no one) should be reported to the school administrator or other team members.  The administrator or another team member will make a preliminary determination of the seriousness of the threat.  A transient threat means there is no sustained intent to harm and a substantive threat means the intent is present (or not clear) and therefore requires protective action.

 

A threat assessment is not a crisis response.  If there is indication that violence is imminent (e.g., person has a firearm at school or is on the way to school to attack someone), a crisis response is appropriate.  Take immediate action such as calling 911 and follow the school crisis response plan.

 

Towanda Area School District Threat Assessment Team Members

 

Mr. Dennis Peachey: Superintendent                     

Officer John Hennessey:  School Resource Officer

Mrs. Rebecca Stanfield: High School Principal      

Mr. Nate Ross:  High School Assistant Principal

Mrs. Laura Steele:  Elementary School Principal  

Dr. Dawn Hart:  J. Andrew Morrow Principal

Mrs. Jackie Vanderpool:  School Nurse                   

Mrs. Dodie Adams:  Jr/Sr High School Guidance Counselor

Ms. Jerika Brown:  Jr/Sr High School Guidance Counselor       

Mrs. Darla Locke:  School Psychologist

Mrs. Jennifer Cronin:  Director of Special Education

Ms. Amy Masters:  Jr/Sr High School Social Worker

Ms. Tabatha Gardner:  Elementary School Social Worker

Ms.Domonique Knisley:  J. Andrew Morrow Social Worker