CAMPUS SAFETY
UPDATED SUMMER 2025
If you have a question or concern about any safety matter, you should call the school’s Facilities Help Line at 503-961-4040. It is monitored 24/7 by the Facilities team in partnership with First Response, the school’s campus security firm. In the event of an emergency, always call 911.
You may also contact Vector Alert to anonymously report concerns of any kind via text, web, email, or phone. This tip line alerts the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Director of Human Resources, and Audit Committee Chair of the Board of Trustees. Catlin Gabel’s identification code for reporting is 1832.
Below is a summary of safety updates, systems and policies that reflect our continued commitment to create a safe and healthy educational environment for every student.
SAFETY TEAMS
The school has one primary committee to oversee all aspects of campus safety: the Risk Management Committee. There are also several subcommittees and/or task forces that report to the Risk Management Committee. This structure is designed to help ensure information is shared across groups.
- Risk Management – Campus Safety and Security: This committee oversees emergency preparedness, safety policies, crisis communications, and employee training.
Members: Sharon Keiser, Chief Finance and Operations Officer (chair); Kama Bruce, Assistant Head; Stacy Skerjanec, Director of Facilities; Theresa Giambalvo, Associate Director, Campus Services; Kate Williams, Athletics Director; Lindsay Babbitt, Director of Outdoor Education; Li-Ling Cheng, MS Mandarin Teacher and Director of Global Education; Ellycia Yokomizo, Health Coordinator; Andrew Thomas, Director of Technology, Allison Dobscha, Director of Marketing & Communications.
- Campus Health Subcommittee: This committee oversees general health policies, counseling services and student policies. Reporting to the Campus Health Subcommittee, the Student Health Team, consisting of the divisional counselors and health coordinator, meets periodically to consider, evaluate, and revise systems and protocols in support of student health and wellbeing.
Members: Kama Bruce, Assistant Head (chair); Sara Nordhoff, Assistant Head for Enrollment and External Relations; Ellycia Yokomizo, Health Coordinator; Alexis Doling, Upper School Administrative Assistant; Alexa Hawthorne, Data Systems Coordinator; Kristine Rabii, On-Call Health Advisor.
- Safety Subcommittee: This group is led by the Director of Facilities, Stacy Skerjanec, and oversees OSHA requirements, accidents and reports, as well as campus conditions and audits.
- External partnerships and consultants:
RESPONSES, DRILLS, AND TRAINING
- Standard response protocol: The safety handbook documents our Standard Response Protocol with steps for school closures, lockdowns, secure, earthquakes, bomb threats, hazardous materials, shelter-in-place, campus evacuation and family reunification. Content is reviewed annually.
- Regular drills: Fire drills occur on a monthly basis, with Lockdown, Secure, and Earthquake Drills scheduled throughout the year.
- Annual Safe Schools training: All employees must complete annual online training provided in partnership with Vector Solutions.
- Safety training: All employees receive training on the Standard Response Protocol for emergencies at the beginning of the school year. On-going training will be provided throughout the year during employee Professional Learning Days.
- Curriculum: Students receive age-appropriate educational information. Students in grades 6-12 receive information on reporting sexual assault and misconduct, as well as access to resource guides.
SAFETY MEASURES
- Employee ID badges or name tags: All employees are expected to wear identification badges or name tags when on campus.
- Employee background check and fingerprinting: All employees are required to complete a national background check and be fingerprinted before working on campus.
- Volunteer requirements: All volunteers complete a national background check as well as online safety training, and those who will have direct unsupervised interactions with students also complete fingerprinting.
- Fire alert systems: All buildings have current technology installed.
- Remote surveillance system: Network of 60+ cameras across campus, including roadways, entries, and select interiors.
- Exterior door lock system: All exterior doors are secured with a modern door access system and doors remain locked throughout the school day.
COMMUNICATION TOOLS
- Ruvna emergency communication system: The school uses the Ruvna app to send urgent emails and texts directly to employees, parents and guardians, and Upper School students.
- Campuswide Public Address (PA) system: The PA system is used to broadcast audio, and in noisy areas, LED messages inside buildings and outside around campus.
- Reporting tip line: The school partners with Vector Alert, which provides a way for anyone to quickly and anonymously report concerns of any kind by text, website, email, or phone. The tip line alerts the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Director of Human Resources, and Audit Committee Chair of the Board of Trustees. Catlin Gabel’s identification code for reporting is 1832.
The school welcomes your ideas and suggestions, which can be sent to info@catlin.edu on how we can continue to create an environment that allows every student to thrive.