Student Safety and Wellness

Ongoing Security Measures in Gwinnett County Public Schools:

School Resource Officers: GCPS currently employs 123 School Resource Officers (SROs), with two stationed at each high school, one at each middle school, and several across the elementary schools. The district’s police department also works with other law enforcement agencies to enhance security coverage at all schools. Additionally, GCPS has hired school safety officers to support the GCPS School Police Department while efforts continue to recruit and hire more SROs.
Evolv Weapons Detection System: GCPS will deploy the EVOLV weapons detection system at middle and high schools during the 2025-26 school year. This system, which was successfully piloted at GCPS stadiums and basketball gyms during the 2024–25 school year and during summer school 2025, uses low-frequency electromagnetic fields and AI-powered software to help detect concealed weapons such as firearms, and weapons of mass destruction. Unlike traditional metal detectors, the Evolv system can distinguish between weapons and non-threatening metal objects, such as cell phones and keys, reducing the need for secondary screenings and ensuring a smooth, non-intrusive entry process.
Centegix Crisis Alert System: All GCPS schools are equipped with the Centegix Crisis Alert system, which allows staff to discreetly call for help and provides first responders with precise location details, down to the room and floor.
Cameras: We have installed more than 11,000 security cameras across all campuses, which can be accessed remotely by law enforcement when necessary.
Security Vestibules and Raptor System: Each school is equipped with a security vestibule, giving administrators control over who enters the building. The Raptor system screens all adult visitors against the National Sex Offender Registry to enhance student safety.
Safety Drills: Every school conducts regular safety drills, including lockdowns and fire drills, to prepare students and staff for emergency situations.
Mental Health Support and Intervention: Our school counselors, social workers, and psychologists are trained to identify students at risk of violent behavior and to provide appropriate interventions before issues escalate.
GCPS Tips: Now in its third year, GCPS Tips has been a resounding success. This mobile app and the desktop version allow students, staff, families, and community members to anonymously report safety, security, or mental health concerns.

Confidential School Safety Tip Line: Call or text 770-822-6513.

Call or text the Tip Line if you think or know that someone is carrying a weapon, drugs, or alcohol on school property. You do not have to give your name.

If you see or hear about something troubling and/or a threat to our school community. You can report your concerns anonymously through "GCPS Tips," our mobile app, or through desktop or laptop web browsers at P3Campus.com/5105. Apple users can download GCPS Tips via the "App Store." Android users can find it in "Google Play." You can also share anonymous concerns by texting "GCPS" to 738477.

How do I address a concern at my child's school?

Gwinnett County Public Schools finds that the quickest and most effective way to resolve a concern regarding your child is by addressing it at the most direct level.

Addressing Concerns At School for Essentials

In our school district, we care about each and every student. We also believe that open and honest communication between parents and teachers is a key to student success. Thank you for partnering with your child’s teacher and school to address any concerns.

Safety and Wellness in GCPS

The health and safety of GCPS students and staff is our highest priority. Here are some tips you need to know and a few ways that you and your family can help.

Maintaining a Healthy School Environment

Immunizations

By state law, a valid certificate of immunization (Form #3231) or a notarized statement of religious exemption (Form #2208) is required for enrollment. The certificate of immunization must be completed by the health department or your private physician. A valid Form #3231 must be marked with either "Date of Expiration" or as "Complete for School Attendance." (A certificate marked with a "Date of Expiration" expires on the date indicated. A current certificate must be submitted within 30 days of expiration.) A medical exemption, if applicable, should be noted on Form #3231 with a current date of expiration. You may request a form from your school for a religious exemption.

Please review immunization requirements for students and a TDAP-Meningitis parent fact sheet for students entering 7th grade. The new vaccine requirements apply to students who are born on or after 1/1/2002 AND entering 7th grade. The requirements also apply to students who are new entrants to 8th-12th grade. New entrants are students who have never attended any school in Georgia or have not attended any school in Georgia for at least one full school year.

Back to School

Before starting the school year, all students entering or transferring into 11th grade will need proof that they received a meningococcal booster vaccine (MCV4) on or after their 16th birthday.

Students can get vaccinations and certificates of immunization from their private physician or at any of the local health department offices.

Additionally, students must have evidence of vision, hearing, dental, and nutrition screening obtained in the past year. This information should be on Georgia Form #3300 (rev. 2013), available from the health department or your physician and dentist, and dated within the last 12 months. Letters from appropriate healthcare professionals and out-of-state certificates are acceptable if completed within the last 12 months and stapled to the state form.

Visit one of the health department offices in Gwinnett County-- located in Lawrenceville and Norcross-- to obtain required screenings and immunizations for a fee.

If your child does not have health insurance or their health plan won’t cover these vaccines, call your local health department and ask about getting no-cost or low-cost vaccines. For more information, visit http://dph.georgia.gov/vaccines-children or call (800) 848-3868.

Ask your pediatrician or local health department about other shots your child may need, including:

MCV4 vaccines must be documented on Georgia Form 3231 Certificate of Immunization.
Students who are not 16 years old do not have to get the vaccine until their 16th birthday.
Note that this booster vaccine is required in addition to the MCV4 vaccine that was required for your child prior to the beginning of 7th grade.
human papillomavirus (HPV) series
tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis shot (Tdap or Td booster)
annual flu vaccine; and
catch-up immunizations, including chickenpox, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), and hepatitis B.

Responding to Lockdowns and Evacuation

If your student's school has been placed on lockdown or evacuated, please do not go to the school. Excessive traffic could interfere with law enforcement efforts or emergency response. The school will contact you to let you know how to proceed.

Schools go on lockdown when school officials and local law enforcement authorities determine that conditions outside or inside the school are unsafe. No one may enter or leave the school until the lockdown is lifted. This may delay dismissal times.

A soft lockdown occurs when conditions outside the school are unsafe. Students and staff continue with a normal school day, but stay within the building.
A hard lockdown occurs when conditions inside the school are unsafe. Students and staff remain in the classroom and safety procedures are followed until the lockdown is lifted. For their safety, students should turn off or mute their cellphones as a ringing phone could alert an aggressor.

Schools are evacuated when the school environment is unsafe for students to stay in the building.

For more information about school safety, see Safety and Security information on the GCPS website.

Inclement Weather

When inclement weather is predicted, GCPS works with local authorities to monitor current and expected conditions in the area.

If bad weather is forecast overnight, GCPS staff drive roads and bridges across the county to gauge conditions.
Unscheduled digital learning days and full-day cancellations usually are announced by 6 a.m. Once a decision is made, the district posts the announcement about school closures on the GCPS website, GCPS TV, and the district's Facebook page. GCPS also notifies metro-Atlanta news outlets and alerts families with a phone call and optional text message via ParentSquare. (Families must request the text feature.)
When bad weather moves in during the school day, district leaders decide the safest and most efficient way to get students home. Should GCPS schools release early or cancel afternoon or evening activities, GCPS notifies parents and community members via local school communication vehicles and ParentSquare calls and texts, through reports to metro-Atlanta news media, and posts to the GCPS website, and Facebook.

More details about Inclement Weather Procedures

Diabetes Resources

"Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to student health in elementary and secondary education, is amended by revising Code Section 20-2-771.1, designated as reserved, as follows: "20-2-771.1. (a) If a local board of education provides information on immunizations, infectious diseases, medications, or other school health issues to parents and guardians of students in grades six through 12, then the following information about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes"

Please review the Diabetes Fact Sheets located on the Georgia Department of Education's (GaDOE) website. English and Spanish translations are available. Other resources are available on the GaDOE site, such as the Diabetes Medical Management Plan and the Guidelines for the Care of a Student with Diabetes.