Dear Olympian Families and Staff,
The purpose of this letter is to share information about a new Pennsylvania school safety law and what it means for how the Jim Thorpe Area School District communicates with families.
Earlier this year, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Act 44 of 2025, which requires schools to notify families and staff when certain incidents involving a weapon occur. This law went into effect on January 6, 2026, and under this law, the District must send a notification when an incident involving a weapon happens in a Jim Thorpe Area school building, on school transportation, or at a school-sponsored activity.
As per the law, notifications will be sent based on where the incident occurs. For example, if a weapon is found at the high school, only the families connected to that setting will be notified. In most cases, notifications must be sent within 24 hours. To disseminate this information, we will use our regular school communication system, the same one we use for delays and cancellations, to share these messages.
To protect student privacy, notifications will not include student names or identifying details. Families can expect to see only basic information, such as the date and general location of the incident.
It is important for families to know that this new law may result in more frequent notifications, even in situations that do not pose an active safety threat. In the past, the District used discretion in situations where items were unintentionally brought to school, such as toy look-alikes or everyday tools such as a small pocketknife or multi-tool left in a backpack. Under Act 44, some of these situations may now require a notification. Please understand that an increase in messages does not mean schools are less safe! It is simply a reflection of this new legal requirement that the Jim Thorpe Area School District must adhere to as per Act 44 of 2025.
Families can help lessen the need for these notifications by regularly checking backpacks, jackets, and sports bags, and by reminding students that prohibited items are not allowed at school, on buses, or at school activities. If you ever have a safety concern, please notify the school immediately, or report it through Safe2Say Something at 1-844-723-2729.
Please be assured that the Jim Thorpe Area School District will continue working closely with law enforcement, safety personnel, and threat assessment teams to keep our schools safe. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our top priority.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Sincerely,
Robert Presley, Superintendent