Phoenix Central School District · Safety and Security

Together, we keep our Firebird family safe.

At Phoenix Central School District, the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priorities. Safe schools are built through prevention, preparation, strong relationships, clear communication, and partnership with families and first responders. This page explains how we approach safety at Maroun Elementary, Dillon Middle School, and Birdlebough High School, what happens in an emergency, and what to do if you have a concern.

Every student. Every day. Safe, supported, and ready to soar.

See something. Say something.

School safety is everyone's responsibility. Students often notice things adults don't: a worrying comment, a threat, a social media post, bullying, or a friend who seems to be struggling.

You don't need to know whether something is serious before you share it. If something doesn't feel right, tell someone.

You are never wrong for speaking up when you are worried about someone's safety. We would rather know early so we can help.

Immediate danger

Call 911

For a threat happening now, a weapon, or someone in immediate danger. Then let the school know.

Talk to someone you trust

A teacher, counselor, or principal

Students can tell any adult at school. Families can call the main office: MAM (315) 695-1561, EJD (315) 695-1521, JCB (315) 695-1631. For urgent concerns, call; voicemail and ParentSquare are not monitored around the clock.

District tip line

Share a tip with the district

Use the Phoenix CSD Tip Line to report safety concerns, threats, or worries about a student. The tip line is not for emergencies.

Bullying or harassment

Your school's DASA Coordinator

File a DASA Incident Report Form (PDF) (opens in a new tab) or call the coordinator listed in the bullying section.

How we approach school safety

Safety is more than emergency drills

Every student deserves to feel safe, supported, valued, and connected. Our work runs in five connected stages, from preventing problems to helping everyone recover after one.

Prevention

Trusted adults who know every student
A positive, inclusive school climate
Addressing bullying and concerning behavior early
Social-emotional learning and mental health support
Encouraging students to report concerns

Preparation

District-wide safety plan and building-level emergency response plans
Required drills and staff training
Planning with police, fire, and EMS
Reviewing practices through the year

Protection

Secure entrances and visitor check-in
Monitored building access and security systems
Emergency communication systems
Ongoing review of building security

Response

The Standard Response Protocol (SRP)
Coordination with first responders
Timely communication with families
Student and staff safety first

Recovery

Reunifying students with families when needed
Counseling and emotional support
Clear next steps for families
A safe return to learning

Know the protocol

The Standard Response Protocol

All three Phoenix schools use the Standard Response Protocol (opens in a new tab) from The "I Love U Guys" Foundation. It gives students, staff, and first responders the same five words and the same directions, so everyone knows what to do.

Hold

In your room or area. Clear the halls.

When hallways need to stay clear.

A student may be having a medical emergency, or there may be a situation in a hallway. Classes continue as normal inside rooms until the Hold is lifted.

Secure

Get inside. Lock outside doors.

When there's a concern outside the building.

Everyone comes inside and outside doors are locked. Teaching usually continues inside. This is often a precaution for nearby police activity or wildlife.

Lockdown

Locks, lights, out of sight.

When there may be a threat inside the building.

Classroom doors are locked, lights go off, and everyone moves out of sight and stays quiet until law enforcement or administrators release the room.

Evacuate

To an announced location.

When people need to move from one place to another.

Fire drills are the most familiar example. Staff announce where to go, and students bring their things only if told to.

Shelter

State the hazard and safety strategy.

When protection is needed from a hazard.

A tornado warning, a hazardous material spill, or a similar event. Staff announce the hazard and what to do, such as move to a safe area.

Drills prepare, they don't frighten. New York State Education Law §807 requires every school to hold 12 emergency drills each year, including evacuation and lockdown drills. Staff use calm, age-appropriate language, and younger students practice in ways that feel routine. Families can find SRP handouts on the Foundation's SRP page (opens in a new tab).

If an emergency happens at school

What families should know

We will contact you through ParentSquare.Official updates come by ParentSquare text, email, phone call, and app notification, and on phoenixcsd.org and the district's social media.
Keep your contact information current.Update phone numbers and emails with your child's main office so messages reach you. Check your ParentSquare settings, too.
Rely on official messages, not rumors.Social media posts during an event are often wrong. Wait for district updates.
Please don't call or come to the school during an active emergency.This keeps phone lines and roads open for first responders. We will tell you when and where to come.
Your child stays with trained staff.Students remain under district supervision until it is safe to release them or begin reunification.
Bring photo ID if asked to pick up.If reunification is needed, we'll send the location and steps. Students are released only to adults listed on their emergency card.

Reconnecting with your child

The Standard Reunification Method

If students need to be moved away from a school, Phoenix follows the Standard Reunification Method (opens in a new tab), also from The "I Love U Guys" Foundation. Parents and guardians check in, show identification, and complete a release card. Staff then bring each student to their adult. The process is structured on purpose: it confirms every child goes home with the right person.

ParentSquare

All district and school messages arrive through ParentSquare, and you can read them in your preferred language. Get the app for iPhone (opens in a new tab) or Android (opens in a new tab).

To protect students and staff, this page does not list evacuation sites, reunification locations, or building security details. New York State requires building-level emergency response plans to stay confidential.

Student well-being & mental health

A safe school is one where every student belongs

Students don't have to be in crisis to ask for help. If you notice changes in your child's mood, behavior, attendance, friendships, or schoolwork, reach out to their counselor. Every Phoenix student, K–12, has a certified school counselor, backed by school psychologists and social workers.

School	School counselor	Psychologist & social worker	Call
Michael A. Maroun ElementaryPre-K–4	Nicole GranteedAll students	Jennifer Meyers, School PsychologistRebekka Croft, Social Worker · (315) 695-1540	(315) 695-1561
Emerson J. Dillon MiddleGrades 5–8	Andrew QuirkLast names A–KKatherine BarberLast names L–Z	Jillian Lunn, School PsychologistKayleigh Abbott, Social Worker	(315) 695-1522
John C. Birdlebough HighGrades 9–12	Breanna GriswoldLast names A–IMegan RansiearLast names J–Z	Alanna McKinney, School PsychologistAnne-Marie Muller, Social Worker	(315) 695-1645

911Immediate danger

Someone is hurt or at risk right now.

988Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org (opens in a new tab). Free and confidential, 24/7. Or text HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line.

(315) 251-0800Oswego County Crisis Connect

Mobile crisis team that can respond by phone or in person. Oswego Health Mobile Crisis, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.: (315) 236-3500.

211211 New York

Food, housing, and family services. 211nys.org (opens in a new tab).

Asking for help is a sign of strength.

School Counseling Oswego County Services Directory (PDF) Emergency & Community Support

Bullying, harassment & school climate

Every student deserves respect

New York's Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) protects students from harassment, bullying, cyberbullying, and discrimination on school property, on buses, and at school events. Students, families, and staff can report a concern, including anonymously. Each school has a trained DASA Coordinator who reviews every report, works with the student and family, and protects students from retaliation for reporting.

MAM · Pre-K–4

Anna Marriott

(315) 695-1561

EJD · Grades 5–8

Chris Chirinos

(315) 695-1521

JCB · Grades 9–12

Patrick Fitch

(315) 695-1631

Districtwide

Jennifer Woody

(315) 695-1575

Tell a trusted adult.Students can talk to a teacher, counselor, or principal. Families can call the school's DASA Coordinator.
Complete the report form.Fill out the DASA Incident Report Form and give it to the coordinator.
The school investigates and follows up.The coordinator looks into the report promptly, takes action to stop the behavior, and keeps the family informed.

If your child tells you about bullying: listen calmly, thank them for telling you, write down what happened and when, and contact the DASA Coordinator. Avoid contacting the other family directly.

DASA Report Form (PDF) DASA Page DASA Policy (PDF) Code of Conduct

Building security & visitors

Secure buildings, welcoming schools

Knowing who is in our buildings is one of the simplest ways to keep students safe. Our procedures apply to everyone, every day, including families and volunteers we know well.

Exterior doors stay locked during the school day. Visitors enter only through the main entrance.
All visitors check in at the main office, show identification when asked, and wear a visitor badge.
Staff are trained to greet and redirect anyone without a badge.
Please don't hold doors for others or let anyone in behind you.
Security systems are reviewed regularly with law enforcement and improved through our capital projects.

Transportation, arrival & dismissal

Getting to and from school safely

39+ buses

Phoenix buses carry about 2,000 students and travel nearly 77,000 miles each year. In its most recent state Department of Transportation inspection, the fleet earned a perfect score.

Students stay seated, keep aisles clear, and follow the driver's directions.
Cross only in front of the bus, about 10 giant steps ahead, after the driver signals.
Drivers: stop for any school bus with red lights flashing, from either direction. It's the law in New York.
Follow each school's drop-off and pick-up traffic pattern and watch for walkers.
Track your child's bus with the Stopfinder app. Changing plans? Submit a Student Transportation Request Form (PDF) (opens in a new tab).

Transportation concerns: Deborah Gerace, Transportation Supervisor, (315) 695-1551

Our community partnerships

It takes a community

Phoenix CSD plans, trains, and responds alongside local agencies. These partnerships help us prepare for emergencies, respond quickly, and connect students and families with support.

Village of Phoenix Town of Schroeppel Village of Phoenix Police Department Oswego County Sheriff's Office New York State Police Local fire departments & EMS Oswego County Emergency Management CiTi BOCES Oswego Health & Liberty Resources United Way of Greater Oswego County Firebird families

Thank you, first responders

To the police officers, deputies, troopers, firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, and community partners who stand with Phoenix CSD: thank you. You train with us, answer our calls, and look out for our students every day.

Family resources & quick links

Everything in one place

Phoenix CSD

Emergency preparedness

Support & crisis

Frequently asked questions

Questions families ask

What do Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter mean?

They are the five actions of the Standard Response Protocol. Hold keeps hallways clear. Secure brings everyone inside and locks outside doors. Lockdown means locks, lights, out of sight for a possible threat inside. Evacuate moves people to an announced location. Shelter protects people from a hazard such as severe weather. See Know the Protocol.

Why do schools hold emergency drills?

Practice helps students and staff respond calmly and quickly. New York requires 12 drills each school year, including evacuation and lockdown drills. Drills are planned to build confidence, not fear.

How will I know if something happens at my child's school?

The district sends updates through ParentSquare by text, email, phone, and app notification, and posts on phoenixcsd.org. Make sure your contact information is current with your child's school.

What should I do when I get an emergency notification?

Read the full message and follow its directions. Stay near your phone for updates. Please avoid calling the school during an active event so lines stay open.

Should I come to school during an emergency?

Please don't, unless the district asks you to. Extra cars and people can block first responders. Your child is with trained staff, and we will tell you when and where to come.

How will I be reunited with my child after an evacuation?

The district will send the location and instructions. Bring photo ID. Students are released only to adults on their emergency contact list, following the Standard Reunification Method.

How do I report something concerning?

Call 911 for immediate danger. Otherwise, call your child's school, tell a staff member, use the district tip line, or contact your school's DASA Coordinator for bullying or harassment.

What should I do if my child tells me about bullying?

Listen, thank your child for telling you, write down the details, and contact your school's DASA Coordinator. You can submit the DASA Incident Report Form (PDF) (opens in a new tab).

Who do I contact if I'm worried about my child's mental health?

Start with your child's school counselor (see Well-Being). For a crisis, call or text 988, or call Oswego County Crisis Connect at (315) 251-0800. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

How does the district work with law enforcement?

We plan, train, and review our safety practices with local police, the Oswego County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police, fire departments, and EMS. They help shape our safety plans and respond with us in an emergency.

Where can I find the district's safety plan?

The District-Wide School Safety Plan (PDF) (opens in a new tab) is posted on the District Plans page. Building-level emergency response plans are confidential under state law.

How can I help my child feel comfortable with drills?

Talk about drills the way you would a fire drill: something we practice so we know what to do. Ask what they learned, keep your tone calm, and reassure them that adults at school are there to keep them safe. If your child feels anxious, let their counselor know.

A message from the Superintendent

Dr. Ryan Lanigan Superintendent of Schools (315) 695-1555

At Phoenix Central School District, there is nothing more important than the safety and well-being of our students and staff.

We recognize that families place tremendous trust in us every day when they send their children to school. We take that responsibility seriously.

Our approach to school safety extends well beyond physical security. It is about knowing our students, building meaningful relationships, creating a positive school culture, recognizing when someone needs help, and making sure every student has trusted adults they can turn to.

We continually review our practices, work with local law enforcement and emergency responders, train our staff, and strengthen our partnerships with families and our community.

We also believe that communication and trust matter. We want families to understand what we do, know where to find information, and feel comfortable reaching out whenever they have a question or concern.

Thank you for being partners in this important work. Together, we will continue to make Phoenix a place where every student feels safe, supported, valued, and ready to soar.

Dr. Ryan Lanigan
Superintendent of Schools, Phoenix Central School District

Who to call

School & district contacts

Pre-K–4

Michael A. Maroun Elementary

11 Elm Street, Phoenix, NY 13135

Main office: (315) 695-1561
Nurse: (315) 695-1563
Principal: Stephanie Critelli-Locke
Asst. principal: Anna Marriott

Grades 5–8

Emerson J. Dillon Middle

116 Volney Street, Phoenix, NY 13135

Main office: (315) 695-1521
Nurse: (315) 695-1524
Principal: Brett Doody
Asst. principal: Christopher Chirinos

Grades 9–12

John C. Birdlebough High

552 Main Street, Phoenix, NY 13135

Main office: (315) 695-1631
Nurse: (315) 695-1634
Principal: Thomas Bailer
Asst. principal: Patrick Fitch

District Office

Phoenix Central School District