PRINT ARTICLE

Print    Close This Window
Keystone Oaks School Police Receives More than $65,000 in Grants
Keystone Oaks School Police Receives More than $65,000 in GrantsThe Keystone Oaks School Police Department recently received three grants, totaling more than $65,000, which will be used towards a number of projects that will enhance safety and security at each of the District’s four campuses as well as towards teaching students about the dangers of texting and driving.

The Department received $65,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Safe Schools Initiative Targeted Grant program, which provides funding for programs or security-related equipment that address school safety and violence. Keystone Oaks will use the funds towards the purchase of surveillance cameras in and around the high school and middle school campus, a visitor management system and for security chains for classroom doors.

Additionally, grant dollars were provided to offset the cost of the school resource officer’s salary for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 academic years. These savings will allow the District to invest in additional projects, such as enhancing safety at building entrances and in the hallways.

“The only thing more important than educating our children is keeping them safe from harm,” said John Bruner, Keystone Oaks’ School Resource Officer. “These grants will allow the District to enhance security and ensure the safety of our students while they are in school.”

As a participant in the Allegheny County Youth Traffic Safety Council, the Keystone Oaks Police Department was eligible to receive a $500 grant from Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. This grant will be used to support a project of the “Preschool Patrollers” program. Preschoolers will pass out rubber thumb texting bands to juniors and seniors. The bands are to be worn as a reminder to students to not text and drive.

“The Preschool Patrollers program has been effective in getting the attention of high school students to teach them about the dangers of distracted driving, driving under the influence and reasons to not bully one another,” Officer Bruner said. “And, we’ve also been able to start teaching the youngest children about these dangerous practices – it’s a win-win for everyone.”