Security Tips
Security Tip of the Month
Security Assessments for Educators
February 2009 - Create a School Safety Team that is comprised of parents, students, and staff. Team should stay abreast of school safety and security best practices and communicate recommendations to school administration. January 2009 - Issue two-way communication devices (such as walkie-talkies to all staff to ensure immediate internal/external communication in case of emergency or lock-down. December 2008 - Assign a School Resource Officer whose responsibilities include reviewing student accounts at www.myspace. com. Threats of violence towards staff and students alike have been detected and prevented through periodic review and supervision of student accounts. November 2008 - All exterior doors should have at least one permanent or non-removable hinge. October 2008 - There should be one, secure point of entry for all visitors to enter the school. This secure area should be monitored by staff. September 2008 - Staff should be trained on school's crisis management plan. This would include proper protocol that should be followed in the event of a school lock-down. Failure to properly execute a lock-down can result in increased physical harm or casualties. August 2008 - Create code words that can be announced over the intercom as a distress signal thus sending the school into lock-down. Only staff should be aware of the code words and their associated meanings. July 2008 - Develop a receptive, systematic, on-campus policy for when parents visit the school or meet with teachers. June 2008 - Secure interior and external roof access points (ladders, awnings, canopies, etc.). May 2008 - Establish a systematic, mandatory threat and incident reporting system (with anonymity available) that provides complete information on accidents, discipline problems, vandalism, child abuse, or security threats. April 2008 - Precise emergency evacuation plans should be posted near the entrance to each room in the school outlining the evacuation route that should be followed from that location. March 2008 - Promote student responsibility for safe schools by dedicating a bulletin board to keeping staff, students, and parents aware of school security issues such as social engineering and other modern areas of vulnerability. February 2008 - School staff should be trained to recognize and address cyber and/or electronic bullying and threats. January 2008 - Maintain a list of all chemicals and substances both in the science lab and the janitorial closet. December 2007 - Track all visitor badges numerically or with a unique identification system. Place the badge or visitor pass number next to the person's name on the Visitor Log. November 2007 - Provide and promote ongoing security and safety awareness training for your students and staff. This training should occur a minimum of once per semester. October 2007 - Identify a primary Incident Command Center and a backup, off-site Incident Command Center (ICC). The off-site ICC should also be capable of handling a full student body evacuation. September 2007 - Invite your local media to tour your school and learn everything you can about their needs, operations, and the reporter/editor who covers school news. Good media relations are critical in times of crisis. |
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| Security Tip of the Month - September Staff should be trained on school's crisis management plan. This would include proper protocol that should be detailed in the event of a school lock-down. Failure to properly execute a lack-down can result in increased physical harm or casualties. |
| *The safety of our children is not negotiable!* |
| SAFE School assesses all aspects of the building and its safety and security including policies, procedures, and staff interviews. However, contracting SAFE's services in no way guarantees that your school will not have a security breach or crisis. It is SAFE's goal to document, point out, and make aware potential areas of vulnerability to better prevent a crisis from happening. SAFE is not responsible for any school crisis of the schools it assesses since it does not require the safety and security enhancements it recommends to be implemented. |
| SAFE's vision and mission statement is to see every school in America receive a tri-annual site security assessment. |