Field Experience D: Identifying Safety-Related Issues

Not Present

Minimally Present

Moderately Present

Extensively Present

Do not Know

Comments

Neighborhood and School Risk Factors

Vandalism in neighborhood

High student mobility

Graffiti in neighborhood

Gang activity in neighborhood

Crime in neighborhood

Poverty in neighborhood

Trespassing on school grounds

Parent withdrawal of students due to safety concerns

Sex offenders in neighborhood

Students adjudicated for weapons, drugs, alcohol, or assaults

Bullying, intimidation, harassment in school

Lack of student support services

Truancy

Criterion

Not Assessed

Not Applicable

Yes

No

Comments

Grounds and Building Exterior

Graffiti is promptly documented/photographed then removed after discovery.

There are central reporting anti-intruder alarms

Building Access

There is a policy, system, or practice of ensuring secure entry and exit

Written permission is needed to remove students from grounds by custodial/non-custodial parents, friends, mentors, and relatives.

Students must have written permission to leave school grounds

There are written procedures to guide access to the building by staff before and after school hours

Office staff are all aware of parents/relatives who cannot pick up a student

Office staff are aware of custody issues that can be contentious

Staff members present in the building after school hours are required to sign in and out

Keys and Identification

There is a master key control system to monitor keys, entry cards, and their duplicates

Keys and entry cards are audited annually

The school has a Knox box/lock box or other system to provide quick access to keys by law enforcement

All staff members are required to wear photo ID badges

Staff members are required to turn in photo ID badges and keys upon termination of employment

Students are required to wear photo ID badges

Visitor Procedures

Visitors are required to wear visible, dated identification

Contractors and visitors are required to sign in

Contractors and vendors are required to wear visible, dated identification

Visitors are escorted, when deemed necessary within the school

Visitors are required to sign out and surrender visitor’s badge before leaving school

Building Interior

Unused areas of the school can be closed off when not in use after school hours

Lockers are available to students

Monitoring and Surveillance

A School Resource Officer is present during school hours

Remote and isolated hallways are monitored by security cameras

School buses are equipped with security cameras

All security camera recordings are retained for at least 30 days

There is a central security system

Staff members monitor restrooms during school hours: _____ times/day

Specific persons are designated to secure buildings after activities

Local law enforcement/security personnel provide after-hours patrols of the school site

All safety-related parent/media inquiries are directed to a designated spokesperson

In the event of an emergency during school hours, procedures are in place to contact parents and the community with instructions

School files and records are maintained in locked, vandal proof, fireproof containers or locations

The school regularly backs up important computer files

There is a current list of staff who are trained in CPR or the use of AED’s

After the School Day, Staff Members are Assigned to Check the Following:

All classrooms locked

All bathrooms unoccupied and/or locked

All exterior doors locked

All security lights are on

Emergency Operations Plan

There is an updated map of the school’s layout with room numbers, evacuation routes, utility shut-offs, and location of first aid kits

An updated copy of the map is provided to local law enforcement, fire, and hazardous materials response units

The school has an established chain of command that will handle emergency response

The school has designated an on-site incident command post

Emergency Procedures

Bomb threats

Hostage-takings

Intrusions

Kidnappings

Acts of violence (shootings)

Hazardous materials incidents

Natural disasters

Emergency Practice Drills Practiced and Documented on a Regular Basis:

Lockdown (3x/year)

Shelter-in-place

Evacuation of building (monthly)

Evacuation of site

Reverse evacuation (outside-in)

Tornado/earthquake

The evacuation plan includes procedures for persons with limited mobility

The evacuation plan includes procedures for persons with special health needs

The evacuation plan includes an alternative evacuation site

School Climate and Culture

The Student Code of Conduct is reviewed and updated annually.

The Student Code of Conduct is provided to all parents

The Student Code of Conduct Includes Statements Regarding:

Anti-bullying, anti-harassment, anti-drug/alcohol, and anti-violence policies

Interviewing policies by school, law enforcement, and protective services personnel

Locker search policies

Dress code

Disciplinary Procedures

Disciplinary practices focus on the root causes of problems and provide problem-solving strategies

Disciplinary consequences for infractions to the code of conduct are fairly and consistently enforced

Alternatives to suspensions and expulsions are built into the disciplinary policy

Procedures used to make decisions about student behavior are well-known to students and staff

Parent and Student Involvement

Parents are an integral part of the school’s safety planning and policy development

Students are represented on the school safety planning team

Students are actively involved in promoting a positive school climate

A large percentage (>60%) of students participate in extracurricular activities

Reporting

There is some type of anonymous hotline whereby students and staff may report incidents or suspicious activities (e.g., Campus Crime Stoppers)

There is a process in place to systematically collect, review, and share discipline referral data

General Climate

Respect for diversity is emphasized schoolwide

Staff members are visible in the hallways supervising/interacting with students during school hours

Staff members monitor stairwells during school hours

Staff and Student Training

Administrators, teachers, and other staff members receive annual training in conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.

Administrators, teachers, and other staff members receive annual training in bullying prevention

Staff knows proper protocols for checking suspicious packages

Staff is trained to be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary (persons, behavior, containers, vehicles, broken air vents, etc.)

Staff is trained in how to respond to threats of students, including threats found in schoolwork, notes, journals, or overheard by other students

Front office staff knows how to respond to a bomb threat or other threatening/suspicious phone calls

Students receive training in positive social skills, violence prevention, conflict resolution, and communication/decision-making skills

Students receive training specifically on bullying prevention

Students receive training in sexual harassment/gender respect

The school has implemented a character education or social skills program schoolwide

Students receive training on digital citizenship regarding social media and online bullying, sexual harassment, etc.

Referral Resources

The school has a process to identify and serve the needs of students most at risk for engaging in disruptive behavior

The school has staff members trained to identify and work with potentially dangerous students

There is a well-developed network of service providers to which students can be referred

Grounds and Building Exterior

The school has a marquee (or some other sign) visible from the road clearly indicating the school’s name

Grounds are fenced in appropriate areas

Gates, if present, are secured when not in use

The perimeter of the building is clear of safety hazards and/or debris

Mechanical, electrical, and other equipment on ground level is surrounded by a protective enclosure

Shrubs and foliage are trimmed to allow for good line of sight and to prevent people from hiding behind them

The exterior of the building is free of graffiti

Ground floor windows have unbroken panes

Access to the roof is restricted (no climbable plantings/architecture)

Areas surrounding trailers/portables are adequately lit

Paved pathways are positioned to provide the shortest walk between the two points they connect

Exterior doors allow for keyed or card reader re-entry

Buses, Parking, and Pickup/Drop-off

The bus loading/unloading zone is monitored by staff

Bus loading/unloading zones are clearly marked

Fire zones are clearly marked

Parking lots are adequately lit

Access points for parking lots are gated

Student drop-off/pick up is limited to specific areas

Student drop-off/pick up areas are relatively free of bottlenecks and congestion (outside of normal high-volume times)

Student drop-off/pick up areas are monitored

Parking lot has signs to direct staff, students, and visitors to designated parking areas

Parking lots are in view of the building or monitored by security

Bicycle parking is in view of the building or monitored by security

Play/Outdoor Recreation Areas

Play and recreation areas are protected with fencing

Fences are in good condition

Vehicular access is restricted around play areas

Play apparatus are free from sharp edges, and protruding or loose bolts or screws

Ground cover is adequate to provide protection from falls

Emergency vehicles can access play and recreation areas easily

Bleachers are well-maintained (painted with no signs of rust)

Play areas are monitored when in use during school hours

Building Access

The school has designated a single point of entry/exit to each building

The designated points of entry are monitored to control building access

School staff monitor all entrances and exits during arrival and departure of students

Signs are posted listing items not allowed inside the school (e.g. drug-free, gun-free, smoke-free)

Visitor policy/procedure signs are posted at all entrances

Visitors are required to show picture ID and sign in

Building Interior

Hallways are uniformly and adequately lit

Stairwells are uniformly and adequately lit

Hallways are free of graffiti

Restrooms are accessible

Restrooms are uniformly and adequately lit

Restrooms are free of graffiti

Restroom stall walls are free of graffiti

Restroom stall doors are lockable

Toilets, urinals, sinks, and soap dispensers are in good working order

Paper towels or air dryers are available in restrooms

There is an adequate supply of toilet paper in all restrooms

Mirrors are free of damage

The main entrances to the restroom have doors that cannot be locked from the inside

Classroom doors can be locked from the inside

Classroom windows can be covered if needed (lockdown)

All classrooms and offices are locked when not in use

Common area is uniformly and adequately lit

Hallways and public spaces are clean and in good repair

Hallways leading to exit doors are free of obstructions

Handrails are appropriately placed and in good condition

All exit signs are lit, clearly visible, and point in the correct direction

Locker areas are well lit

Unassigned lockers are secure/locked

All interior glass (doors, windows) is properly installed and repaired

Floor coverings are properly installed and in good repair (no loose tiles or shredded carpet, etc.)

All chemicals, poisons, flammable material, etc. are stored properly

There is adequate access to fire extinguishers

Fire extinguisher boxes latch closed

Fire extinguishers are inspected annually

Fire drill procedures and maps are posted in every classroom

There is adequate access to AEDs

Staff is aware of CPR and AED certified personnel

Valuable items are secured (computers, cameras, document cameras, etc.)

Formal and informal gathering areas are monitored inside and outside

The following are kept locked and access controlled:

Electrical panel access doors

Doors opening into interior areas like courtyards during non-classroom hours

Boiler and mechanical rooms

Air vents

Custodial closets

Monitoring and Surveillance

Security cameras are stationed outside of school

Security camera locations provide maximum coverage of ground

Security cameras are stationed inside the school

Communication Systems

There is 2-way communication between the main office and:

· Classrooms

· Local law enforcement

· School-based law enforcement

· Portable classroom buildings

· Ball fields

· School nurse

· Custodial staff

· School buses/transportation dispatch

All classrooms are equipped with a system to communicate in an emergency

The school has access to a weather radio and monitors it regularly.