Why a School Safety Plan
School safety is complex and requires differentiated strategies that promote mental health, prevent violence, provide guidance to intervene, and prepare a response to threats to school safety.
A positive and supportive school climate is not only a strong prevention strategy but also foundational for other prevention efforts and optimal learning.
The School Safety Spectrum resources are meant to assist in the development of safe schools. Resources are broken down into three areas of the spectrum: prevention, intervention, and response. All three are important for safety.
Focus on the situation to know what interventions are most appropriate. Your school must be ready to respond to a variety of situations school can face. If you have a positive climate but no threat assessment team, you don’t have the resources to assess a bomb threat on social media. If you think your school is safe because of an active shooter training, how will you deal with a toxic climate that condones bullying? Check out the Comprehensive School Safety Plan Checklist.
School Safety Spectrum
Students’ perspective: What makes a school safe?
To hear Principal Hortensia Cota talk about building community, click play below.
What’s Next: To share information with staff and other stakeholders using the handout or PowerPoint. Now, move on to learn How to Use This Guide.
schoolsafetyinitiatives.org 