How does your school solicit input from the community for school safety?

Each month we are highlighting one of our 7 core values from our school’s vision statement.  This month is “Safe and Secure Environment”.

One of the areas of improvement from our most recent climate survey indicated we need to do a better job of reaching out to stakeholders regarding school safety.  What does your school do to inform parents of such a sensitive issue?  What kind of information do you solicit from parents regarding safety?

Below are the “Safety Month” activities for students, faculty, and staff in our school.

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 Suicide and Abuse Signs and Protocols - A guidance counselor will be discussing what to look for regarding physical or psychological abuse as well as suicide prevention.  Topics such as how to report and who is a mandatory reporter will be discussed.

 Fights and Searches  - What are you required to do when there is a fight in your room?  What is the proper response to fights in the classroom, halls or commons?  In a panel format we will be discussing safety tips, protocols and laws concerning breaking up fights.  A VEA lawyer will be available to discuss the legal considerations to breaking up fights and other legal concerns.

 School Shooter Emergency Preparedness - What am I supposed to do in case of a school shooting?  How do I protect myself and my students from becoming a victim?  Recent events have brought such questions to the forefront of school safety.  Deputy Pyktel and Mr. Wright will show a video regarding Active Shooter Emergency Preparedness and lead a discussion about best practice in the event of a school shooting.

Drugs and Searches – Have you ever had a student in class who you suspect is under the influence of alcohol or drugs?  What type of paraphernalia or signs should cause you to alert admin?  Deputy Pyktel and the Sherriff’s office will share what to look for regarding drugs.  The deputies will be teaching how to identify different drugs.

Bullying Protocol – What is bullying and what isn’t bullying?  Student-created videos of bullying will be presented and different scenarios will be discussed.  Bullying reporting protocol will be shared.

R.A.D. – Rape Aggression Defense class will be offered to students between October 9 – October 12.  This 12 hour course teaches women self defense in certain situations.  This will be offered only to students at this time.  If there is enough interest from the faculty, further classes can be scheduled.

October 16 – Unity Day – Wear Orange to show support against bullying.