Safety Team Updates
Williston Schools - established 2015
Our Mission:
To continuously improve the knowledge, skills, and preparedness related to personal and institutional safety, especially in the schools of Williston
Meeting Highlights - 2023/2024 School Year
November 8, 2023
This month was a work session rather than our typical meeting format. In lieu of the full group we instead had 3 subcommittees meet and spend the time working on specific action items.
Three Work Group Areas:
1 - Behavioral Threat Assessment Procedure
2 - Rally/Reunification Point Maps
3 - Lockdown Window Coverings
Each groups spent the full meeting time completing the assigned tasks. Before leaving we scheduled any follow-ups with our subgroups to ensure everything is completed before our next meeting.
The usual meeting format and full group conversation and perspective is valuable and necessary. At the same time, this uninterrupted work time was beneficial and it was rewarding to move items from the "to do" list to the "completed" list.
October 11, 2023
The meeting opened with a quick recap of the focus areas for the year - based on the membership voting at last month's meeting. These focus areas are: Safety training and info for new hires and substitute teachers who may/may not have been able to attend the pre-service training - Evacuation drill during a transition time - Facility Upgrades (particularly hand-held radios) - Lockdown practice during lunch/recess time - Options based practice of "Run" component, possibly a conversation and walk to the rally points.
The second round of evacuation drills happened at both schools last week, this time with the alarm sounding. Both drills went smoothly, and faculty/staff were given the opportunity to give input and feedback as always.
The first of the year's options based drills was completed the week of September 25th. Once again this practice followed our thoughtfully crafted plan and script, always keeping in mind the driving principle of doing no harm. As part of the drills, there was a practice text sent to test our mass communication. The following was sent out:
“Dear Williston parents / caregivers,
Thank you for checking your inbox for this TEST emergency communication. In the event of a real emergency, the school will use an email like this one to communicate important information about the situation, including instructions for caregivers and notice of when the next update will come. Please consider using this brief form(was linked) to provide the Williston Schools Safety Committee with feedback to inform future practices and communication.
Thank you so much, The Williston Schools Safety Committee”
There was very little input from parent/caregiver form, perhaps a reminder to complete the form next time. The team reviewed all feedback from faculty and staff as well as parent/caregivers. We appreciate everyone's commitment and thoughtful participation in this important, and sometimes difficult activity.
Some action items for the team before the next meeting include small group work around Rally Points, Stop the Bleed kits added to "Go Bags", and finding more information about training regarding mental health and being trauma informed for faculty and staff.
September 13, 2023
Welcome to the new school year. The meeting started with introductions of our newest members - new DEI Coach Ainaka Luna and WCS Executive Assistant Lisa Barland. As with every meetings, we revisited our agreements and reviewed the meeting agenda.
Thank you to the committee members who completed Summer work on our Staff Training Slides, At-A-Glance documents and drill plans and schedule for the 23-24 school year.
Next up, the group debriefed the pre-service staff training held on the Monday before school started. In addition to a few suggestions on how to continue to improve this, the overall feedback was positive in terms of the information presented. One takeaway is to update our FAQ sheet for faculty and staff based on the exit card questions. Next step is to be sure to have another session for those unable to attend.
Splitting in to 3 groups the team next reviewed and discussed the staff guide, parent letter and drill progression plan for the year. Each small group discussed and shared out their findings to the larger group. There will be the first of the required options based drills practices before our next meeting.
The final action of this meeting was to vote on our top priorities of tasks for this year, with the following activites rising to the top of the list:
- Facilities Upgrades - particularly radios and cell reception
- Fire drill practice during transition times
- Onboarding of new hires and guest(sub) teachers / training to watch, etc.
- Tightening up mass communications during practices/events
Input Form
Previous Years - Meeting Updates
Meeting Update - March 8, 2023
We welcomed a guest from Burlington School District to this month's meeting, joining us to experience how our meetings are structured and run. We are fortunate to have a strong process is place for this important work. As a warm-up, everyone came up with 2-3 helpful safety tips/reminders. Hopefully some of these ideas with be shared out regularly both internally as well as with the community.
A subgroup of committee members have signed on to complete safety team work over the Summer break.
Follow-up from last meeting - noticeable improvement in dismissal safety since message went out in the Bell. Hopefully all adults will continue to follow expectations and model safe behaviors during this time.
Next on the agenda is discussion around a School Safety bill being proposed by the senate sub-committee on education. The bill addresses the need for schools to have an option based response plan, access controls procedures, and behavioral threat assessment teams. We have all of this in place already.
Both buildings have now had 3 lockdown practices. We continue to refine the processes for lunch and recess times. Meetings have been scheduled at both schools to communicate plans for these locations to all adults involved.
For the learning component of this months meeting, the whole group participated in a guided discussion activity posted by Vermont School Safety.
Meeting Update - February 8, 2023
Dave Auriemma from WFD obtained 25 additional Stop The Bleed kits through a grant. There will be another faculty/staff training offered soon to disperse these. In addition, a kit will be available in a central location of each team.
ABS had its third lockdown drill recently. There was some discussion around how to ensure the spaces used are not overly dark - WFD suggested glow sticks or night lights. We will continue to provide support to teachers around expectations when in these spaces. It was also suggested to offer more resources and information for faculty and staff to build confidence when answering students' questions. One additional piece added to the latest round of drills is testing the text communication system to families.
The committee watched this video for discussion and reflection - focusing on the comments and input of the safety professional. Some of the common themes that came out of these discussions:
- The emphasis on people vs. technology
- "Security Theatre" vs. day to day consistent basics that make a big difference
- A trained and alert staff is the best first line of defense
- Relationships make a difference including connections with the wider community
The last item from the meeting was a discussion around dismissal safety at Williston Central School. This was brought up by non-school personnel who have noticed an increase in unsafe choices by families and students. It was determined that the first step to address this will be a notice to families in the School Bell with clear reminders. Parents should not allow or encourage their students to walk to the car, all vehicles must follow the loop to the sidewalk area for pickup after the buses leave.
Meeting Update - January 11, 2023
In preparation for drill #3 we reviewed communications that will go to families as well as the leadership guide for faculty/staff. We hope to test the emergency communication tools as a part of this upcoming drill - including text and email messages to families. Part of the discussion stressed the importance of including talking points and resources for families to use at home with students, if they wish. As we move through the schedule of drills for the year, there may be times when, in order to best meet developmental levels of the different grades, the two buildings will practice in slightly different ways - always with the same clear goals and targets.
The rest of the meeting was spent reviewing all emergency procedures for lunch and recess blocks. We do have plans in place for lunch and recess across both schools, and we continue to work toward the next level of preparedness in these unique spaces/times.
No Meeting in December
Meeting Update - November 9, 2022
We are pleased to welcome the two newest members of the committee, parent representatives Deb Hinchey and Greta D'Agastino. Thank you for your giving your time to add this important voice to our work.
Members of Williston Schools Safety Team and CVSD Central Office were recently invited to present at the Governor's Safety Conference on November 2. Thank you to Gary, Jeanne, Dave, Jessica, Linda and Officer Bouffard who joined Greg Marino in presenting 3 well attended breakout session. Below are just a few highlights from the day.
- Keynote Speaker: Marisa Randazzo, PhD, focus on threat assessment training and awareness
- Agency of Education has added a Director of Violence Prevention
- We are very well prepared and immersed in this work relative to other districts/communities
Working in grade level groups we spent the majority of our meeting time reviewing the feedback from teachers and staff after our first lock down practice last month (which was discussion based). The vast majority of feedback indicated that the goals of the drill were met, and the structured discussion format was a good option for the first drill. We will be integrating some ideas from the feedback and discussions in to upcoming drills, particularly in how we communicate before during and after these activities.
Intended Outcomes for the drill:
1. Student must quickly become quiet
2. Students look to the adult for directions
3. Understand that in an emergency they may be asked to hide quietly or leave
4. Know where the designated hide space is for their location
The last item was to form a group of committee members who will be working on reviewing and improving the dismissal process at Williston Central School.
Meeting Update - September 14, 2022
Our first meeting of the new school year took place on this past Wednesday. After a few moments to reconnect and re-engage after the Summer break we rolled up our sleeves and dove it to the important work ahead for the current school year.
- Introduced new Safety/Emergency At-a-Glance document. Thank you to Cathy K., Linda Scott and Jess Wilson for your work on this over the Summer.
- We are looking for a parent volunteer to join the committee.
- In-service safety training went well, follow-up for those who were not able to attend in the works. The exit cards are being reviewed and compiled.
- 120 Stop the Bleed kits were distributed to CVSD schools and trainings will happen at all CVSD schools, provided by UVMMC free of charge.
- First drills have happened this year. After a pause during the height of COVID, requirements are back for regular evacuation and lock down drills in school. We will always be mindful of students and situation which may need extra support or training during these activities.
- School Bus evacuation and expectation training is coming up
- AED staff training to be offered using in-house staff. Will be voluntary, quick and simple.
- Community Open House as part of our next meeting. Quick meet and greet in the morning, with the closed meeting to follow immediately after.