Feb. 2, 2022

USC receives $43,960 in safety grants

Upper St. Clair School District was recently awarded two 2021-22 Safe Schools Targeted Grants totaling $43,960 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office for Safe Schools.

The district received an equipment grant of $24,720 to purchase 10 laptops for its school police officers.

“This will replace and upgrade the current computers for our officers – providing increased functionality with the district’s camera and electronic access systems,” Sean Bryson, Upper St. Clair’s chief of school police, said. “This new equipment will greatly enhance the work of our officers.”

In addition, a program grant in the amount of $19,240 will be used to implement an Active Bystander Train-the-Trainer program as well as associated costs to train other members of the school community. The program is intended to empower bystanders to help provide care during an emergency until professional help arrives.

“This program is the first step in training a cross section of our school community on a voluntary basis to provide interim crisis care in an emergency,” Chief Bryson said. “Providing basic training for what to do until first responders arrive can make a significant difference in the outcome during a medical crisis.”

A total of $8 million in Safe School Targeted grants were awarded to 303 local education agencies to help make schools safer throughout Pennsylvania. More than $40 million in Safe Schools Targeted grants have been given out across the state since 2015.