Haddon Township School District details security, transfer‑of‑care and inclusion supports for preschool

At a preschool information night, Haddon Township School District leaders outlined safety procedures for early‑childhood programs and described how the district coordinates student transfers, secured entrances and school drills with law enforcement and district safety staff.

Superintendent Robert Disacaro said the district has added security elements to entrances and exterior doors, keeps classroom doors locked during instruction, and conducts drills and planning with local police so first responders have up‑to‑date school blueprints. Staff described a ‘‘hand‑to‑hand’’ arrival model in which a parent hands a child to a staff member at drop off and a staff member escorts the child to the classroom rather than allowing children to enter unattended.

Staff also described inclusion classrooms and staffing: typical class sizes were discussed in the 14–18 range, and inclusion classrooms often have two certified teachers and additional specialists (speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy) who provide pull‑in or push‑in services. Staff emphasized that adults in the room may include service providers and aides and that parents should not assume every adult is a teacher.

The district also runs meet‑and‑greet open houses before the first day of school to familiarize children with classrooms and to reduce stress for families on opening day. Parents were advised that identification checks and a designated list of approved caregivers are used when staff release children from wraparound and aftercare programs.

What’s next: Families with safety questions were invited to contact the district’s registrar or aftercare supervisor; staff said further details about security procedures will be provided at building‑level events such as open houses.