Dear Cohoes Families,
The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. One of our District’s four core beliefs is, ‘We believe in a positive school climate and culture.’ With that in mind, I want to make you aware of the systems we have in place to ensure a safe learning environment.
Our District Wide Safety Team meets throughout the year to review and revise our District Wide Safety Plan as needed. This team is composed of Board of Education members, administrators, teachers, support staff, parents, and safety personnel, as well as Mayor Bill Keeler, Police Chief Todd Waldin and Fire Chief Joseph Fahd. Each building has a safety team as well as building-level emergency response plans with specific procedures. There are also safety personnel, either School Safety Officers or Campus Safety Monitors in each building.
The following terms explain steps that the district may take as part of its Emergency Response System:
● Hold! In your room or area. Clear the halls.
This is used to keep students in the classroom when dealing with short-term emergencies such as a concern in the hallway.
● Secure Lockout! Get inside. Lock outside doors.
This is used to keep students in the building when there may be a danger outdoors. Any students outside are brought indoors. Classroom instruction continues.
● Lockdown! Locks, lights, out of sight.
This is the primary response for an immediate/actual threat of violence inside or around the building.
● Evacuate! (A location may be specified)
This is used to evacuate students and staff from the building when leaving the building is the safest alternative.
● Shelter! Hazard and safety strategy
This is the initial announcement for less common hazards like tornados or
earthquakes.
Please read our Frequently Asked Questions located on the district website for additional information.
If you have any questions about the emergency response protocols in your child’s building, please reach out to your child’s principal.
Please also feel free to contact me with any questions. Together, we can keep our schools a safe and welcoming place to learn.
With Tiger Pride,
Peggy O’Shea
Superintendent
This message was shared on ParentSquare on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025.