UTSC Safety & Security Measures
At UTSC, we realize a safe environment is essential for students and staff to be successful and thrive. We continuously work to create a safe and secure environment at each of our buildings. UTSC has a district safety team with state certified school safety specialists and each school building has a school safety team consisting of school resource officers, administrators, teachers and staff. Each of our buildings, UTMS/WHS, UCE, and JSE has a resource officer present when school is in session.
Visitor Information
We welcome parents and community members into our school for conferences, meetings, and school events as scheduled. We ask that you buzz-in at our main entrance, inform us of who you are and the purpose of your visit. Please check-in with our office, sign-in, and wear a visitor sticker while you are in our building. You are invited to volunteer per your school/teacher visitor guidelines in your child's classroom or chaperone on a field trip. We do require criminal background checks to be permitted to volunteer with students or chaperone a field trip. Your student's main office can provide you the background check information.
School Resource Officers
At Union Township School Corporation (UTSC), we have a School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to each campus every school day. These officers play a vital role in supporting the safety and security operations of our schools, ensuring that students, staff, and visitors are protected throughout the day.
Our SROs are full-time law enforcement professionals, employed through neighboring police departments or the Porter County Sheriff’s Department. In addition to providing security, they serve as mentors, educators, and positive role models, helping to build strong relationships with students and fostering a safe, supportive school environment.
Smart911
Have you signed up for Smart911 yet? Available to all 9-1-1 centers across the U.S. Smart911 allows citizens to proactively provide details on their family and their home that 9-1-1 may need in order to send help in the event of an emergency. Visit www.smart911.com for more information and to register.
Safety Plans: ONE County, ONE Protocol
The safety of our children is ever present on our minds. Staff and students participate in monthly safety drills according with state guidelines and our school safety plans. Safety precautions are a continuous focus with students and staff. Resource officers support us in daily safety measures throughout the school and during the practice of our monthly drills.
Communication with families of any emergency is a priority and you can expect information via text, e-mail and/or phone messages. Please ensure your student's school has your up to date contact information and emergency release plan.
Safety Drill Information
Students and staff participate in monthly safety drills addressing weather events, fires, bus evacuations, intruders and other threats. We teach and practice a uniform classroom response according to each drill: Fire, Lock-Down, Lock-Out, Evacuation.
ONE County, ONE Protocol Information
The Porter County Safe Schools Commission is a group of Porter County first responders from all departments, school officials, and other agencies who collaborate to provide guidance and common practices on school related safety topics. UTSC is a member of the Commission. The Commission created the Once County, One Protocol response plan.
One County, One Protocol Resource Videos Approved by the Porter County Safe Schools Commission:
One County, One Protocol Resource 3
Union Township Schools Safety Response Plan: One County-One Protocol LINK and Poster LINK
Posted in each of our classrooms is the classroom poster with guidance of evacuation routes and shelter areas.
UTSC Reunification Information
Communication with families of any emergency is a priority and you can expect information via text, e-mail and/or phone messages. Please ensure your student's school has your up to date contact information and emergency release plan.
