June 2022 School Safety Blog
There is no need to struggle again through the details of the most recent school shooting tragedy.
Nor is there a reason to struggle through the other tragedies which followed in rapid succession.
The stories are the same. The stories are all different. The stories are all devastating.
The often-repeated, fundamental questions we hear most often these days are: How can we ensure that our schools are safe? What can we do?
First, remember that schools are still, often, the safest places for students and staff.
That said, plan ahead. Districts and schools are required by RCW 28A.320.125 to have current comprehensive safety plans in place. That comprehensive plan should consider all potential threats and hazards for your school. Visit our website for resources to help with this. Better yet, contact our office for planning assistance.
Practice your plan. Drill and exercise. Take staff meeting time to discuss. Plan table tops for staff – and for classrooms! Make sure that your schools practice all the required drills. Make sure students and staff know why they are doing them.
On a practical level, make sure that doors are locked. Not a few. Not just those in the front of the school. Not just entrances and exits. All doors. External and internal. All the time.
Remember leakage. People planning to do bad things almost always tell someone. In one form or another, they let their plans be known. Pay attention.
Encourage: See something. Say something. Have a mechanism where students, staff, family members, and others can report disturbing behaviors.
Take those reports seriously. Make sure that you have your school-based Threat Assessment team in place.
Learn the vocabulary of safety. What does it mean when people say ____? Fill in the blank: “Bullying” Lockdown” “Assault” “COOP” “Risk assessment” “Threat assessment” “Harassment” “Active shooter” – whatever the word might be. It is important that we all understand and use safety terminology clearly and consistently. Avoid code words that can be misunderstood or unknown to all.
Bottom line, like a good Boy Scout, be prepared.
For some good, current background information, please feel free to read and share The Violence Project, an excellent data collection resource.
Finally, summer is almost here. This has been a very difficult year.
Thank you for all that you have done this year to keep your students and staff safe!