Safety at school

Every parent wants the same thing when they send their children to school: To know they are safe. For the Revere Schools Foundation (RSF), that is more than a goal. It is a commitment to proactively invest in the people and resources that help keep Revere students safe.

Since its founding in 2014, the foundation has raised nearly $1 million to advance safety and security throughout the Revere Local School District. Through community support and events like Illuminate 2026 on Saturday, November 7, the foundation is helping make Revere schools a safer place for the district’s 2,800 students to learn, grow and thrive. 

“Community support enables the foundation to help fund safety initiatives,” says board member Tony Granata. “For years, there was only one school resource officer patrolling all four school buildings. Two years ago, the school board asked RSF to help add a second officer, and we committed to funding 50% of that officer’s salary.”

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit led by parent volunteers, the foundation works closely with school administration and the school board to direct funding where it makes the greatest impact. Funded programs include Safety Town for incoming kindergarteners, Hope Meadows Equine Assisted Therapy helping students build confidence, life skills and connection, S.T.A.R.T. (School Transportation Active-Threat Response Training) for bus drivers, the district-wide “See Something, Say Something” campaign, and annual scholarships recognizing student commitment to safety, excellence and leadership.

That commitment to safety extends beyond security measures. It also means building a culture where students, staff and families feel protected, supported and connected.

“When I first started as the school resource officer 10 years ago, I wanted to create an environment where everyone feels safe. The foundation has supported me from the beginning, helping fund or share the cost for anything I need to make schools safer,” says School Resource Officer Scott Dressler of the Richfield Police Department. “We pride ourselves at Revere on having one of the best overall school safety systems around.”

This past year, the foundation helped transform a repossessed Dodge Charger into the district’s official SRO car that students will see around campus, outfitted with sponsor logos instead of police lights.

“Our approach to safety is holistic,” Tony says. “We focus on the safety, security and overall well-being of every student in the district.”

“Safety is more than security,” he adds. “It’s prevention, connection, intervention, preparedness and responsible leadership.”



Now, through the Illuminate 2026 fundraiser, the community has another opportunity to shine a light on school safety and help provide the resources needed to make Revere schools safer. Creating a safe school environment doesn’t happen with one program, one officer or one contribution. It takes a community committed to investing in prevention, preparedness and making sure students have a safe place to learn every day.

“Illuminate 2026 is expected to carry RSF across the $1 million fundraising milestone and continue funding important school safety initiatives,” Tony says. “Community support makes a meaningful difference before concerns become crises, so we can continue investing in the people and programs that help create safer Revere schools.”

Revere Schools Foundation

Illuminate@RevereSchoolsFoundation.org 

RSF2026.GiveSmart.com