This is the 8th segment in a multi-part series taking a deeper dive into the 2024-25 district strategic priorities. The Strategic Plan identifies Wellness as one of the four core components of a student's experience in MSAD #51, with safety a critical area of focus. This year's district priorities center on physical safety with respect to emergency planning. Recently, I ran across an article about school safety that articulates the philosophy we have sought to instill in MSAD #51 schools. Below is text from this article.*
When students walk into school each morning, their focus should be on learning, developing new skills and spending time with friends—not on fearing for their safety. A shift in mindset from reaction to prevention is critical. We should be able to send our children to school with the confidence that they will return home safe and unharmed.
To build truly safe schools, we must understand all aspects of school safety—not just physical security measures. Schools need to rethink safety through a comprehensive framework that assesses, plans, tracks and audits safety solutions across both proactive and reactive measures. A holistic approach to school safety should include:
- Creating conditions that reduce the risk of school violence
- Providing targeted supports for students identified as at higher risk
- Preparing the school to mitigate risks and potential threats
As a reminder, last winter we rolled out the Sandy Hook Promise Say Something anonymous reporting system, which enables students, parents, and community members to report an issue 24/7/365 through an app, hotline, or website when they are aware of a student or anyone else connected to the school community who may be at risk of harming themselves or others. This is another prevention tool that we have introduced recently to help keep our school community safe and free from potential violence. Follow up training for all students and staff in grades 6-12 as to the purpose and availability of this reporting tool recently occurred.
Over the first eight months in use, there have been 18 tips reported to the tip hotline. If you are aware of information that could be distressing about the safety of a student, group of students, or a school, please bring this to the attention of a school administrator, School Resource Officer, or another law enforcement official. If this is not feasible or if you prefer an anonymous means for providing this information, reach out to our partner at the Sandy Hook Promise. Keeping our school community safe is the responsibility of everyone.
