At Orange Lutheran High School, the safety and security of our students are of utmost importance. Our mission is to help students internalize the Gospel message of salvation in Christ Jesus. We are redefining the high school experience by developing healthy, strong, caring people who understand that their identity is in Christ alone and who are strengthened and prepared for a Christian life of purpose, service through vocation, and leadership in a global society. In order to do this, we must have a physically safe environment.

The tragedy that occurred in Parkland, Florida in 2018, and those that have occurred prior, exist as devastating reminders of the embedded evil that sadly infiltrates institutions that should exist as places of safety and refuge. It is our ongoing prayer that we as a nation do more to address this evil and that we remain engaged in the dialogue that surrounds appropriate measures. Here at Orange Lutheran, it is critical that we remain proactively committed being appropriately trained, staffed, resourced, and secure.

Orange Lutheran continues to closely monitor the evolving situation related to COVID-19 (coronavirus) and evaluate the outbreak’s impact on both the school and the community at large in accordance with recommendations from local, state, and national government organizations and health agencies. The health and safety of all members of our community are, as always, of the utmost importance.

CAMPUS SAFETY TEAM

  • We have five full-time and five part-time campus safety personnel, including a former police officer who retired after more than 25 years of experience, three of those years as a dedicated School Resource Officer.
  • Multiple security cameras are located throughout campus.
  • All campus safety personnel carry two-way radios for enhanced communication with administration and other staff.
  • A campus safety cell phone is always carried by a member of the Campus Safety Team.

CLEANING PROTOCOLS & COVID PREVENTION PLAN

Orange Lutheran continues to closely monitor the evolving situation related to COVID-19 (coronavirus) and evaluate the outbreak’s impact on both the school and the community at large in accordance with recommendations from local, state, and national government organizations and health agencies. The health and safety of all members of our community are, as always, of the utmost importance. The following protocols are in place:

  • Intentional arrival procedures include safety screening, temperature checks, and handwashing stations
  • Face coverings must be worn while on campus except while eating or drinking
  • Social distancing of 6 ft. must be maintained
  • Updated directional signs in hallways and walking areas
  • Additional cleaning procedures set in place
  • HEPA filters installed in all classrooms
  • New handwashing stations and sanitizing dispensers installed throughout campus
  • Protective shields in our Welcome Center and reception areas in various office locations
  • Updated training for all faculty and staff
  • Visitors and guests on campus are significantly limited to essential activity only during school hours. Non-students and/or non-employees, including parents, should receive prior approval from a member of school leadership in order to be cleared to be on campus.

 

Click here to view our COVID-19 School Guidance Checklist and our Worksite Specific COVID-19 Prevention Plan.

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

  • Text and email blasts will be sent to all Orange Lutheran families according to the information on file; as a result, it is essential that contact information is current.
  • In order to facilitate accurate information and minimize confusion and misinformation in an emergency situation, students and families are asked to share only the information that is provided through the school from emergency care professionals; media information may be immediate but is not always accurate.

DAILY PROCEDURES

  • All students must remain on campus throughout their school day unless they are signed out at the Success Center and sign back in when they return to campus.
  • Exterior doors to the school remain locked, with the exception of the main entrance at the Welcome Center.
  • We maintain a closed campus. All visitors during school hours must sign in and out at the Welcome Center.
  • The gates to the lunch area and Montell Field remain closed during the school day. This ensures that visitors coming on campus must check-in at the Welcome Center.

FACULTY AND STAFF TRAINING

  • All faculty and staff have been trained in emergency preparedness procedures.
  • Various drills are held with students typically three times throughout the year.
  • Each room is equipped with a backpack that includes emergency procedures and other supplies

NATURAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

  • A comprehensive disaster preparation policy is in place.
  • Food and water is stored on site for up to three days for the entire student body.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT

  • Our emergency disaster plans have been coordinated with the Orange Police and Fire Departments. In addition, a blueprint of our school is on file with both agencies should it be necessary.
  • Our campus safety staff works closely with personnel at Orange Police Department assessing our emergency plans and making any adjustments that are needed at their recommendations.
  • Orange PD has an assigned School Resource Officer who visits the school and is familiar with the layout of the campus.

STUDENT WELLNESS

Our commitment does not stop at the physical safety of your child. Five years ago we began the process of redefining the high school experience with the focus on the overall health and well being of our students. So many things have been done and are being done to help students become healthy, strong, caring people. While some schools struggle for resources, we have done many things to bless our students such as:

  • Expand our commitment to Campus Safety
  • Lower student to counselor ratio to 153:1 (best practice standards are 250:1 and the state of California public schools are 760:1).
  • Providing trained counselors in the area of mental health crises such as suicide, depression, and abuse
  • Providing ongoing training and professional development for faculty and staff
  • Integrating Social Emotional Learning to increase Emotional Intelligence through World Council (including ROAM, TBD, personality assessments, and other relationship/empathy-driven initiatives)
  • Acquired our emotional support dog, Marty

SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS

System Enhancements in Progress
An extensive upgrade of our campus security systems began in 2017 and was completed in Fall 2018. This upgrade includes the following changes:

  • All exterior doors are equipped with an alarm mechanism. An audible alarm will sound in the event of an open door and Campus Safety will immediately be notified.
  • Certain doors are equipped with electronic access controls.
  • All staff wear photo ID while on campus.
  • Additional security cameras will be added to our system.
  • The lower level gate has been replaced with an electronic gate that provides additional security.
  • An automated Visitor ID system has be implemented providing a background check on any visitor coming to campus.

Recently Completed System Enhancements

January 2020:

  • A redesigned Welcome Center was installed to enhance security and further control campus access.