News Detail

Security Updates

8/15/2024

The Steward School

A safe, caring community for Spartans

The safety of The Steward School community is a priority, and the school regularly evaluates and updates its safety infrastructure.

“We take the safety and security of our community very seriously,” said Associate Head of School, Finance and Operations Lisa Dwelle. “It’s our top priority, and we are committed to providing our students, faculty, staff, parents, and visitors the safest possible environment.”

During the 2023-24 academic year, Steward augmented its safety protocols by adding a security officer during the school day and after-school activities. The school also added swipe-access technology on building and classroom doors; faculty, staff, and Upper Schoolers can swipe into buildings using an app on their phones and Middle Schoolers gain access by using an app on their iPads.

Steward also installed 23 security cameras throughout campus. Digital signs installed in the gyms and theatres can be used to display notifications and warnings as needed, and speakers enhance communication by delivering announcements throughout campus.

In addition, Steward implemented a system in which all faculty and staff laptops will receive emergency alerts that flash on the screen. SchoolPass continues to be used to manage student arrival, attendance, and dismissal information. SchoolPass can also be used to track attendance in emergencies.

During the 2024-25 academic year, Steward expanded its safety measures by:

increasing camera coverage to include parking lots, outdoor spaces, and additional indoor spaces.
adding additional doors to the swipe-access system.
using Ruvna, a digital platform designed to enhance safety and emergency management by providing real-time communication. Ruvna enables Steward to quickly and efficiently communicate emergencies, weather-related early closures, and other situations to parents, faculty, and staff simultaneously and directly through phone calls, text messages, emails, and social media posts.
utilizing Informacast, an on-campus notification system that quickly sends alerts to faculty and staff’s computers and mobile devices. This platform could be utilized in possible events such as severe weather warnings, lockdowns, or evacuations.

Back

Steward Newsroom

General Contact

The Steward School
11600 Gayton Road
Richmond, VA 23238

phone: (804) 740-3394
fax: (804) 740-1464
info@stewardschool.org

Media Contact

If you are a member of the press and would like more information about The Steward School, please contact Director of Marketing and Communications Rachel Williard at rachel.williard@stewardschool.org or (804) 565-2319.

If you are looking for contact information for a specific Steward employee, please click here.