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Planning for Progress
District Planning for Progress

Pinellas County Schools hosted a series of community meetings across the district to share school-specific data and gather feedback on population and enrollment trends, facility planning and school utilization.

Safety

Visit the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System

Pinellas County Schools has partnered with Sandy Hook Promise to offer the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System. Say Something allows you to securely and anonymously report safety concerns, helping identify and support at-risk individuals before they harm themselves or others.

Important Message About School Safety in Pinellas County Schools

Pinellas County Schools, School Police, and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office are sharing an important safety message: Safety is everyone's responsibility.

Superintendent Kevin Hendrick, Pinellas Schools Police Chief Joe Wiesman, and Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri are sharing an important safety message: Safety is everyone's responsibility.

Please watch their new video message: Safety Starts With Me.
 
School safety is a shared responsibility. Every student, teacher, staff member, and family member plays a role in creating a safe, supportive learning environment where all students can learn, grow, and thrive.

We encourage everyone to stay aware of their surroundings and speak up when something doesn't seem right. Please report anything that feels suspicious, unusual or out of place.

If something seems wrong, students should notify a teacher, counselor, or another trusted adult.

Students and any member of the public can also report concerns using the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System or the FortifyFL App. 

These reporting tools provide safe and secure ways to share concerns. They may also help prevent someone from harming themselves or others.

It's also important to remember that threats of violence are never a joke. Pinellas County Schools takes every threat seriously. False reports and threats, including those made online or via social media, can disrupt schools, create fear, and lead to serious consequences, including criminal charges.

Students and families should understand that threats, whether spoken, written, or posted online, are investigated thoroughly and treated as legitimate safety concerns.

August Safety Update

Safety Starts with Me

E-Bike Safety Reminder: More students are riding e-bikes and e-scooters, increasing the number of riders on the road and on the way to school. While these devices are fun and convenient, they move fast and require extra caution. Law enforcement and emergency room doctors are seeing an increase in serious e-bike injuries.

The district has approved new policies regarding e-bikes, e-scooters and other forms of electric transportation.

Key updates include:

  • Electric bicycles (e-bikes) must be parked in designated compounds or racks.
  • Battery charging will not be allowed on campus.
  • Students must walk or carry their e-bikes while on school district property.
  • Children 16 and younger must have helmets while they are with their bicycle.

 Electric Bikes and Scooters policy details below:

Student transportation rules in the Code of Conduct were expanded to address e-bikes and e-scooters (Policy 5500.09)

Possession of an electric transportation device on school board property is a privilege. Students who violate this policy may be prohibited from bringing such devices onto school board property and/or may be subject to discipline under the Code of Student Conduct.

 Students prohibited by state law from operating an electric transportation device may not bring or possess the device on school board property.

 A. Storage

  • Electric transportation devices must be parked in the designated bike compounds or racks. These devices must not block ingress or egress or be placed in any location that compromises safety or access. The owner is responsible for locking and securing their electric transportation device. 

B. Charging

  • Owners of electric transportation devices need to charge their equipment before arriving at school. Outlets at schools or other district sites may not be used to charge personal electric transportation devices.

C. Safety

Students must walk or carry their electric transportation devices upon entering and at all times while on school board property, including parking lots and pathways. In accordance with state law, students under 16 years of age who possess an electric bicycle must wear a helmet while riding it.

 D. Responsibility/Liability for Electric Transportation Devices

  • Any student who brings an electric transportation device to school does so at their own risk and is personally responsible for the device's security. School Board staff are not responsible for preventing theft, loss, damage, or vandalism of electric transportation devices brought onto School Board property.

“Safety Starts with Me” reflects the district’s ongoing mission to provide a safe, supportive, and informed environment for every student, every day.

View Past Safety Updates

The District Safety & Security Council

The Pinellas County Schools District Safety and Security Council (DSSC) believes that “Safety Starts with Me.” The Safety Starts with Me is more than a campaign and a strategic priority for Pinellas County Schools. It’s dedicated to safety education and awareness for the entire school community.  

Each month the DSSC spotlights safety topics by sharing tips through various school channels including social media, webpages, email, classroom instruction and special guests for in school learning.  

Please help us make safety a shared responsibility and a top priority in all aspects for our school communities and at home.  

The DSSC was created to coordinate district efforts to ensure a safe environment to learn and work. The DSSC is chaired by the PCS Director of School Safety and consists of representatives from the Superintendent's and Area Superintendent's offices, Human Resources, the School Board, Emergency Management, Schools Police, School Health Services, Strategic Communications and Technology Information Systems.