Dear Parents and Guardians,
The safety and security of our students, staff, families, and visitors remain one of Valley Central’s highest priorities. To help ensure that our schools and athletic events remain safe, secure, and welcoming, we have established the following entry protocols.
Valley Central uses a visitor management system in all of our schools. This system allows us to know who is in our buildings and helps ensure that visitors go only where they are expected to be.
School Visitor Procedures
Parking: Please adhere to all posted signage and follow directions from security regarding traffic flow and parking.
Upon Arrival: Please bring a photo ID (driver’s license, non-driver ID, or other approved identification) and present it at the main entrance for visitor check-in. Students may only be signed out by an authorized individual listed on the approved pickup list and must present valid identification.
Visitor Badge: Once you are cleared to enter the building, you will receive a lanyard and visitor badge displaying your name, the date, and your destination. Visitors are expected to wear the badge while inside the building.
Escort Procedures: A staff member will escort you to and from your destination. Your identification will be held at the main office until you return the lanyard and visitor badge when leaving the building.
During school hours, visitors may not roam school property and must remain in designated, authorized areas.
Athletic Event Safety Protocols
To promote a safe and orderly environment at Valley Central athletic contests, the following protocols will be in effect:
- Bag Policy: To enhance safety, no bags are permitted. All bags are subject to search by security personnel.
- Student Identification: All Valley Central students must present a valid school ID for entry to athletic contests.
- Prohibited Items: Dogs and other pets are not permitted on school grounds. Artificial noisemakers, including air horns, bells, and whistles, are strictly prohibited.
- Drones: In accordance with NYSPHSAA policy, drones are not permitted during interscholastic scrimmages or contests.
Spectator Expectations
In alignment with Section IX and NYSPHSAA, all spectators are expected to demonstrate respect, sportsmanship, and appropriate behavior at all times.
Spectators must:
● Support teams through positive encouragement only and respect officials, coaches, student-athletes, team managers, scorekeepers/timers, announcers, and event personnel.
● Follow all school rules, including maintaining a smoke-free and substance-free environment.
● Remain in designated spectator areas and enter the field or court only when directed by the Athletic Trainer, Coach, or Administrator.
● Follow all directions from event personnel, security, administration, or police.
Prohibited conduct includes: taunting, booing, negative chants, profanity, abusive language, disrespectful gestures, unauthorized drones or artificial noisemakers, throwing objects, or entering the playing area. Practice and game fields may not be used for recreational play during contests; community use is permitted only during approved non-athletic hours with proper facility-use forms.
Valley Central students attending as spectators must follow all school rules and leave within 10–15 minutes after the contest unless otherwise directed.
Personal Belongings and Property
Personal belongings may not be left unattended or stored on school property. Visitors and spectators are responsible for their personal items. Items left on school grounds may be removed and handled in accordance with district policy.
Seating
Home and visiting spectators must remain in designated areas. At lacrosse and flag football games, chairs must be 3–5 feet from the sidelines. At baseball and softball games, spectators must remain 3–5 feet from the dead-ball line and may not sit behind backstops. Spectators must follow all seating and directions.
Enforcement
Violations may result in a warning or removal from the event by event personnel, security, administration, or law enforcement. More serious violations may result in a trespass notice from district property, ranging from short-term restrictions to an indefinite period depending on the circumstances.
Spectators ejected from a game face a minimum one-game suspension or completion of the online NFHS Parent Credential course before attending future events. Proof of completion must be provided to the Athletic Department. Continued misconduct may result in being barred from future contests and may lead to additional school or legal consequences.
We appreciate your cooperation and support in following these procedures. These protocols are intended to help provide a safe and enjoyable environment for all students, families, athletes, coaches, staff, and spectators.
Thank you for helping Valley Central maintain a safe, positive, and respectful environment.
Sincerely,
Stephen Ragni
Director of Security
Valley Central School District