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A necessary element in school safety is making sure students are safe and feel safe.
Guest Blog Written by: The National Association of School and Campus Police Chiefs (NASCPC)
From active shooter drills to social media threats to a global pandemic, school safety continues to evolve as our communities change. Students today are facing unprecedented challenges that many adults did not experience growing up. All these challenges are impacting how our students learn and thrive in school.
As educators and school safety professionals, we have an opportunity to make a difference and to guide students down positive paths. This includes making sure their learning environments are protected and that all students feel safe in school. Below we discuss why this is important and how school leaders can accomplish this.
Why Are Student Misbehavior and Violent Incidents Increasing in Schools?
The answer is simple and complicated at the same time. Schools are a microcosm of our communities. When our communities experience violence, this will inevitably spill into our schools. When community members are in distress, our children are also in distress and any challenges at home are extremely likely to develop into challenges at school. When we understand this, it becomes obvious that we must approach school safety differently.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also increased mental health challenges. During COVID forced remote learning, many struggling students were left to cope without mental health services or support. Because of this, schools are experiencing increased threats, violence, anxiety, and depression, which will only become more exasperated as this school year continues.
What is a School Safety Ecosystem and Why Do Schools Need One?
A school safety ecosystem involves the integration of multiple elements working in tandem to enhance situational awareness and increase opportunities to identify and evaluate potential threats. It then allows a school to direct the appropriate combination of resources to mitigate, isolate, or eliminate any potential or actual threat and implement emergency response protocols in a timely, efficient, and effective manner.
A school safety ecosystem also ensures a deeper level of planning should an incident occur. Post event, many things need to be handled appropriately and the only way to make that possible is to think ahead and plan for those needs, such as:
- Reuniting parents, students, staff, and loved ones as expeditiously as possible post event
- Keeping the parents, community, elected officials, and others apprised of the situation, including updates and emergency procedures
- Enhancing the overall incident management through information sharing and making informed decisions
- Assisting with emotional and mental health issues
- Establishing a foundation from which to build a long term, new normal, recovery strategy
What Should Schools Consider When Building Safety Ecosystems?
Safety begins with a commitment from the organizational leadership to a substantial school safety plan. Communication must begin at all levels within the organization and there must be strong policies, procedures, and accountability components included in the safety plan. Schools must plan for the most complex and significant events with training and practice, clearly defining all roles and expectations from day one.
- Everyone has a part to play in school safety
- It is collaborative, identifying and including both internal and external stakeholders
- The ecosystem should make safety part of the school culture so that everyone owns it
- School safety begins by identifying your most significant threats
- School safety is a commitment to a substantial school safety plan
- School safety should be part of the school culture
Who Can Help Build School Safety Plans?
To build and maintain a safe school environment, schools must collaborate with safety experts. The NASCPC helps schools understand challenges and needs, providing consultative services that directly impact and improve school safety.
The Raptor School Safety Suite is another valuable component of the ecosystem. Raptor helps schools keep unwanted entrants out, manage volunteers, and confidently respond to any emergency—all in one, user-friendly integrated solution.
