October Safety Newsletter
KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW
Legal Disclaimer
More Information
Social Media Collateral
School Safety Trainings
- Staying Safe: School Safety Response Curriculum October 11, 2023, 8:00am-4:00pm
- Region 10 ESC Safety and Security Roundtable October 18, 2023, 9:00a.m.-11:00pm
- Student Discipline & Policy Training (Virtual) October 23, 2023, 10:00am-3:00pm
Staying Safe: School Safety Response Curriculum
Staying Safe: School Safety Response Curriculum
Wednesday, Oct 11, 2023, 08:00 AM
400 East Spring Valley Road, Richardson, TX, USA
The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) is proud t offer a new curriculum developed with Safe and Sound Schools and ALERRT that teaches student safety response options for incidents of violence. Based upon Safe and Sound Schools' curriculum and ALERRT's Citizen Response to Active Shooter Event (CRASE), this curriculum will be offered at a train-the-trainer session at all ESCs by TxSSC in the upcoming school year.
School districts will have to get permission from their district's Safety & Security Committee to attend the training. Additional information coming soon!
Chapter 37: Student Discipline & Policy Training
Chapter 37 Student Discipline & Policy Training
Monday, Oct 23, 2023, 10:00 AM
Virtual Event via Zoom
Texas Public Schools are required to develop and enforce various student discipline policies that follows the Texas Education Code and federal law. This includes a Student Code of Conduct that outlines disciplinary actions taken based on the students behavior.
The Texas Education Agency's Student Discipline Program provides guidance to Local Education Agencies and Regional Education Service Centers on the disciplinary policies and procedures as well as discipline data reporting requirements outlined in the Texas Education Data Standards.
THE VIRTUAL LINK TO ACCESS THE TRAINING WILL BE SENT TO REGISTERED ATTENDEES 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TRAINING DATE.
Safety & Security Roundtable Series
The Safety & Security Roundtable Series are developed to bring District Leadership, School Safety & Security Professionals, School Based Law Enforcement and school district stakeholders together to keep our LEAs informed of training requirements, legislative updates and trends affecting school safety. The goals of the roundtables are to:
- Explore critical safety issues facing schools
- Identify potential threats, risks or trends
- Examine potential solutions
- Information Sharing
- Collaborate with local, county & state partnerships
- Improve the climate of school safety
Drug Trends, Vaping Updates & Campus Safety
October 18, 2023
9am-11am
Region 10 ESC
400 E Spring Valley Rd
Richardson, TX 75081
This roundtable will focus on current drug trends effecting your campus safety. What measures are being used to train your school administrators on drug identification, student searches and chain of custody. We will also explore programs available to your district to assist with alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention programs.
Conference Registration is Open - Click HERE to Register NOW!
School Safety Updates
October 25 - TxSSC Review of EOP and Annexes
Email will be sent to superintendents on September 25. Deadline to submit is October 25, 2023. Required: Basic EOP Plan, Severe Weather, Hazmat, & Train Derailment Appendix. View an Interactive Map of EOP Review Specialist by ESC Region
School Safety and Security Committee Guidelines
This committee must actively participate in developing and implementing emergency plans for campuses and other facilities. The TxSSC has developed guidelines and FAQs to assist districts with this important task. Download the Committee Guidelines
October 10 - Mandatory School Drills + Active Threat Exercises take Effect
The proposed amendments will reorganize definitions and provide clarifications in §103.1209 and add requirements for certain active threat exercises in §103.1211. See here for the proposed changes.
Safe Firearm Storage Information
Districts must provide this information to the parent or guardian of each student enrolled in the district or school. The TxSSC recommends providing this information twice annually. Download the Safe Firearm Storage Resources Flyer.
Notification Regarding Violent Activity
HB 3 amended the Texas Education Code by adding Section §37.1131 (effective September 1, 2023), which requires each school system to adopt a policy for providing notice regarding violent activity that has occurred or is being investigated at a campus, other school system facility, or at a school system-sponsored activity. The policy must:
- Include electronic notification by text messages (SMS) and email (and may also include social media messaging and notifications and by posting on the school system’s website);
- Provide an option for real-time notification (e.g., robocalls and emergency application alerts); and
- Protect student privacy.
Policies must ensure that school systems notify students, staff, and parents (or those standing in parental relation) of certain incidents in a manner that is timely and provides adequate information for parents to assess the specific situation. Accordingly, notifications should be issued as soon as pertinent information is available.
Policies should not be limited to certain types of activities; however, notification must be issued for every incident that may pose a serious or continuing threat to the campus community. Incidents warranting district or campus-wide notifications should be based on the school system’s community needs. If a policy states that a notification will be issued, the school system must follow that policy. For Sample Notification Messages, please see TEA’s guidance related to Guidance on Model Standards for Parental Notification. TAA, September 7, 2023
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Resources
Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) Suicide Prevention Resources
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SAMHSA)
Texas Child Health Access through Telemedicine
Children, Teens, and Suicide Loss
Child sexual abuse, trafficking, and other maltreatment of children
Districts are required to provide methods for increasing staff, student, and parent awareness regarding child sexual abuse, trafficking, and other maltreatment of children
- Including prevention techniques and knowledge of likely warning signs indicating that a child may be a victim
- Age-appropriate, research-based anti-victimization programs for students
- Actions that a child who is a victim should take to obtain assistance and intervention
- Available counseling options for affected students.
TEC 38.0041
Fentanyl Awareness | Substance Use
- TAA - Implementation of Fentanyl-Related Legislation, released September 21, 2023. Includes information on :
- HB 3144 October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month + Toolkit
- HB 3908 "Tucker's Law" - SHAC requirements
- SB 629 - Opioid Antagonists district requirements
- Required Instruction
- The SHAC must recommend curriculum on the dangers of opioids, including fentanyl.
- E-Cigarette/Vaping is included in substance use prevention.
- Districts must provide annual instruction on fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness to students grades 6-12.
- Substance use prevention is also required in K-8 Health Teks and in the High School Health course.
- Toolkits to assist school systems with educating their schools and communities on the growing dangers of this lethal opioid.
- Student Awareness Materials
Teen Dating Violence Toolkit
Recognizing and responding to teen dating violence requires an awareness of the prevalence of dating violence, indicators of abuse in relationships, and steps to take if someone is experiencing dating violence. Dating violence is often overlooked due to preconceived ideas about what abuse looks like in relationships or the false assumption that it is not prevalent in young people’s relationships. Visit the Toolkit.