In fall 2025, Penfield Central School District began efforts to expand its safety and security team, adding sentries and security workers across its six schools and implementing a District-wide safety plan.

Led by Ted Wilson, the District’s safety and security coordinator, the District has reenvisioned its approach to safety and security. Beyond adherence to all federal, state, and local mandates, the team is focused on proactive prevention and collaborative partnerships with students, employees, families, law enforcement and emergency services, and community partners.

“This expansion allows us to have a visible presence on school campuses and build relationships with members of the Penfield community, which is central to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment,” Wilson said.

Expanded Security Team

Nearly fully staffed, the District employs sentries at each of the elementary schools, nine at Bay Trail, and seven at Penfield High School. Sentries, which were formally called hall monitors, are the first face visitors, students, and employees see as they enter a building. They greet and check-in guests and can assist students and employees as they navigate their days.

Sentries are visible in halls, entrances, and around building grounds, monitoring foot traffic throughout the building, particularly during high transitions times, including arrival, lunch, and dismissal. Additionally, several sentries are assigned to support traffic safety during arrival and dismissal times.

Many of the sentries working at Penfield possess foundational security experience and have worked within school settings for several years.

The District’s security workers serve as direct supervisors for sentries and also provide support to Wilson. Security workers are engaged in routine facility rounds, conducting hazard checks and ensuring entrances are locked. They also serve as the on-site lead for emergency response. When fully staffed, the District will employ five security workers.

Penfield’s security workers collectively bring 103 years of experience in roles spanning law enforcement, higher education, K–12 schools, corporate security, and both public and private security firms.

As the District built out its internal team, it contracted with Blackhawk Security to provide personnel support. Blackhawk officers, who often have substantial law enforcement experience, undergo the same background checks required of any employee working in a school. Several Blackhawk officers will still be seen around Penfield. While Blackhawk’s day-to-day presence around school buildings will lighten, officers with the company will continue to support the District during high profile or large attendance functions, including Board of Education meetings, high school homecoming, graduations, concerts, plays, and athletic events.

Cutting-Edge Approach to Campus Safety

As a team, Safety and Security personnel will engage in annual training and professional development, including NYS Security Guard Recertification, crisis response, student-centered de-escalation, conflict resolution, and trauma-informed practices. Additionally, they will continue their education in human relations and equity is safety practices, among other topics.

In addition to the onboarding all Penfield employees receive, in 2023, Penfield began in-district Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Schools (TCIS) training for the safety and security team. TCIS is an internationally acclaimed trauma-informed, evidence-based crisis prevention and response framework developed by Cornell University. It is designed to help school staff prevent, de‑escalate, and safely manage student behavioral crises while keeping students and adults safe and preserving students' dignity. TCIS is built on the understanding that challenging behaviors are rooted in stress, trauma, or unmet needs, and the training emphasizes creating trauma-sensitive school environments, recognizing early signs of escalation, and using relationship-based strategies to prevent crises before they occur. Additionally, TCIS teaches verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques, helping students regain self-control and regulation after heightened emotional states. It also creates a structured post-crisis process inclusive of student support, staff reflection, and documentation—which all lead to continuous improvement in our schools. Currently, there are six sentries and one security worker trained in TCIS and this District has plans to certify all new safety and security team members during the summer. Additionally, beginning this spring and into the next academic year, Penfield will engage in an additional TCIS training module related to supporting students with complex needs, including neurodivergence and intellectual disabilities.

The Safety and Security team is being woven into all aspects of the District’s approach to student safety, security, and well-being. Wilson serves as a member of the Behavioral Intervention Team and Health, Safety, and Wellness Committee, and maintains close communication with the Trauma, Illness, and Grief Team. He also leads regular reviews of safety plans with building leaders and conducts quarterly audits of the District’s facilities, drills, and systems.

Outside of the District, Wilson is building strong relationships with area emergency responders, including the Monroe County Sherrif’s Office, Brighton Police Department, and local fire/EMS services.

“Over the past year, the District has worked to implement a plan for our students to learn in a secure, supportive, and welcoming environment,” said Dr. Tasha Potter, superintendent of Penfield. “I look forward to continued partnerships between our staff, students, families, and community partners who each play a critical role in keeping our schools safe.”

VIDEO: Meet the Team