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Chesterfield County School District

Excellence in Academics, Arts & Athletics

Safety and Attendance

Welcome to the Office of Safety and Attendance. Our mission is to ensure every student has a secure, welcoming environment to learn and the support they need to show up ready for success every day.

We believe that school safety and regular attendance go hand-in-hand. This portal serves as your central resource for emergency protocols, campus safety updates, attendance policies, and supportive interventions for families facing barriers to daily school attendance. Together, we build a community where every child is safe, present, and accounted for.

Derrick Gordon

Safety and Attendance Officer 116 Edwards Road | Chesterfield, SC 29709

Safety

Anti-Bullying & Cyberbullying

Mental Health & Crisis Resources

Substance Abuse Prevention

Digital & Social Media Safety

Human Trafficking Awareness

Child Abuse & Neglect

Safe Dating & Healthy Relationships

Stranger Danger & Community Awareness

Emergency Response Protocols: Explanations of standard response protocols (e.g., Lockdown, Secure, Evacuate, Shelter-in-Place).

      Parent’s Guide to Emergency Communications

      Our Role:  The primary goal of Chesterfield County School District during an emergency is the safety and                security of our staff and students. 

STANDARD RESPONSE PROTOCOL

During an emergency, shared vocabulary for students, staff and first responders is also essential. That is why we use the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), developed by the "I Love U Guys" Foundation. 

  • Hold - In Your Room or Area 

    When a school is under a hold, students and staff are to clear the hallways and remain in room or area until the "All Clear" is announced. Learning continues as normal. 

    Secure - Secure the Perimeter 

    When a school is in secure status, the danger is considered to be outside of the building. School personnel ensure all perimeter doors are locked and bring any students involved in outside activities indoors. Learning and other activities continue as normal. 

    Lockdown - Locks, Lights, Out of Sight 

    During a lockdown, the danger may be inside the building. Learning community and individual classroom doors are secured, lights are turned off and students are kept quiet and in place. 

    Evacuate - Follow the Directions 

    During an evacuation, students are moved away from possible danger in a quick, orderly process. 

    Shelter - Follow the Directions 

    When a school is sheltering in place, students and staff take actions to protect themselves from a potential danger (tornado, hazardous material, wildland fire). 
     

    Your Role: The natural instinct for parents or guardians is to come to the school during an emergency to protect their children. However, by doing so, they may endanger themselves and their children. Law enforcement and school personnel are busy responding to the situation. Your arrival or calls may distract them. Please help by following the steps below. 

What should families do: 

  • Stay Home - The most important contribution you can make to your student and your own safety may be staying away from the school. 
  • Stay Informed - Information will be shared with families as soon as possible. Please know, in some situations, accurate information may take some time to verify and share. 
  • Be Ready - Be prepared to follow instructions from the district. 

  • Reunification: 

    Certain types of emergencies may require faculty, staff, and students to evacuate a campus. In these cases, the district's reunification plan will be implemented. Students and staff will be transported by school bus to a safe facility away from the emergency. Parents/guardians will be notified as soon as practical and asked to report to the reunification site. A parent/guardian reporting to a reunification site must have his/her driver's license or government-issued photo ID available to show district staff The individual picking up the student must also be listed in the student's file as someone authorized to pick up the student from school.

Facility Security

       Pursuant to State Law, persons must be approved to enter the school by the principal (via check-in process) before entering the school.

  • ALL VISITORS MUST REPORT TO THE FRONT DESK .
  • ALL VISITORS MUST HAVE A STATE ISSUED DRIVER'S LICENSE, STATE ISSUED ID, or US MILITARY ID to check-in and receive a visitor badge. 
  • ALL VISITORS MUST WEAR A VISITOR BADGE AT ALL TIMES.
  • Please report any person in the school who does not have a district, school or visitor badge.
  • Please report any suspicious behavior to the front office or School Resource Officer.
  • Persons entering school property are deemed to have consented to a search of their persons and property (Act 373 of 1994).
  • Weapons are prohibited in a school, except for law enforcement (SC Code 16-23-430).
  • School doors are remained locked at all times. 
  • All visitors entering the schools and/or events must be checked by metal detectors and/or wand to enter the building/stadium.

Weather & Emergency Closures

See Something | Say Something: If you see something suspicious, or that doesn’t seem quite right, please say something. 

Contact your local police department, county sheriff’s office, or other local law enforcement officials with public safety concerns. Please make sure to include:

  • WHO or WHAT you saw
  • WHEN you saw it
  • WHERE it occurred
  • WHY is it suspicious

 

  • If you have a tip on a criminal matter, you can provide an anonymous tip through Crimestoppers or by phone at, 1-888-CRIMESC (274-6372).

Title IX & Nondiscrimination

 

Health, Wellness, & Medical Emergency:

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) locations

Immunization Policies

Concussion Management Protocols

Medical & Concussion Policies: "Managing student health safely. View our protocols for medication administration at school, food allergy management plan, and mandatory return-to-learn concussion guidelines."

Transportation & Traffic Safety: "Ensuring safe travels. Access designated neighborhood walking paths, bicycle safety tips, school bus behavior rules, and vehicle drop-off/pick-up traffic patterns for each campus

Contact your child’s school or Dr. Chauncey Malachi to connect with school social workers, counselors, and community partners dedicated to supporting student well-being and family needs.

A man with a shaved head and a beard smiles at the camera.

Dr. Chauncey Malachi

Coordinator of Alternative Education and Student Services

116 Edwards Road

Chesterfield, SC  29709

843-623-5104

 

A black speech bubble with the text 'if you SEE something SAY something' in white and teal.

Your report can prevent a tragedy.

Immediately report any crimes, suspicious behavior, or school threats.

DIAL 911 FOR ALL EMERGENCIES & THREATS

Chesterfield County School District is committed to the safety of everyone who attends our district events. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the steps we take to ensure event safety for students, staff, and the community.  Thank you for your cooperation. We will see you at the game!

 

CLEAR BAG POLICY

Approved bags include:

  • Clear Tote:  Plastic, vinyl, or PVC  (no larger than 12” x 6” x 12”)
  • Plastic Zip Top Bag:  (No larger than 1 gal resealable clear)
  • Small clutch bag (no larger than 5”x7”)
  • Medical Items (Items related to a medical condition)

METAL DETECTORS

All attendees must be checked by metal detectors and/or wand to enter the stadium.

ADMISSION

No tickets will be sold after the 3rd quarter and no one can enter the stadium after the 3rd quarter.

STUDENT SUPERVISION

All students in eighth grade or below must be accompanied by an adult 21 years old or older.

EVENT SAFETY OFFICIALS

We partner with law enforcement and event staff to ensure spectator safety for the duration of the event.

For More Information, see GAME SAFETY POLICY.

Attendance

  • Use this FinalForms link to update information.

  • View the CCSD Attendance Policy.

  • Truancy is absence from school without the knowledge of parents/guardians or absence from school without acceptable cause with the knowledge of their parents/guardians.

  • Chronic absenteeism is typically defined as missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason—including excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions. In a standard 180-day school year, that is just 18 days (or about 2 days a month).

  • It adds up faster than you’d think. Research shows that by the time a student misses 10% of the year:

    • Early Years: Kindergarteners and first graders often struggle to learn to read.

    • Middle School: It becomes a primary "red flag" predictor for dropping out of high school.

    • Academics: It creates "learning gaps" that make it harder to keep up with new concepts.

  • Yes. While an excused absence (like a doctor's visit) is better for a student's record than skipping, the educational loss is the same. The teacher and the rest of the class move forward regardless of why a desk is empty.

  • It’s rarely just "laziness." Common hurdles include:

    • Lack of reliable transportation.

    • Chronic health conditions (like asthma or anxiety).

    • Safety concerns on the way to or at school.

    • Unstable housing or family responsibilities.

    • Routine: Set a regular bedtime and morning habit.

    • Preparation: Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.

    • Scheduling: Try to plan medical appointments and vacations for non-school days or after-school hours.

    • Communication: Talk to the school early if you notice your child is resisting going to school; there might be an underlying issue like bullying or academic struggle.

  • A table outlines attendance rules, days missed, and impact level.