Sewickley Academy puts an emphasis on security for the new school year

The first day of school for students at Sewickley Academy is Sept. 1.

Over the summer, the pre-K through grade 12 private school put a hard emphasis on student and faculty safety.

“In response to national events, Sewickley Academy has utilized the summer months to evaluate and upgrade our security features and procedures to further ensure the safety of our campus community,” said communications manager Jennifer Donovan.

Sewickley Academy is reintroducing the Raptor Security System, which will require all visitors to register at their destination building with photo identification. Raptor will run background checks on all visitors, who will be required to wear name badges with their photo on them while on campus.

Additionally, all exterior doors will be locked throughout the school day. Sewickley Academy said that “door contacts” are being installed to monitor whether doors are propped open for any period of time. Classroom doors will also be locked.

New and additional security cameras are being installed. An additional security member has been hired to patrol campus, and Edgworth police and other agencies will participate in security-related training.

Finally, Edgeworth Security will provide “remote guarding” by monitoring the security cameras.

Outside of safety and security, the school is launching a computer science program for all grades. Donovan said it will provide age-appropriate instruction and exposure to computer science. There will also be advanced electives on topics such as artificial intelligence and cyber security. Renovations are currently taking place to the Oliver Science Building to enhance computer science instruction, as well as robotics.

Donovan also said that plans are underway for the addition of an egaming/esports facility in the school’s Events Center.

As for covid, students will be familiar with protocol.

“Barring a significant increase in covid outbreaks or changes to CDC, state or county mandates between now and Sept. 1, we intend to pick up where we left off on the last day of school,” Donovan said. “We encourage all members of our community to take responsibility and have respect for one another’s health and well-being by refraining from coming to campus when feeling unwell. When students are ill, their primary focus should be getting well. After consultation with the school nurse, students with covid or an extended illness may be permitted remote access to core academic classes when they are feeling able to participate.”