February 2024 Safety Newsletter
KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW
Legal Disclaimer
Upcoming School Safety Training
Active Shooter Tabletop Exercise Development
The goal of the Active Shooter Exercise Development Workshop is to provide first responders and city, county and state officials with knowledge, skills and abilities to lead an Active Shooter Tabletop Exercise. Past active shooter events have proven the need for realistic exercises delivered in the community. This course answers that need by providing a train the trainer (TtT) course on how to design and deliver a tabletop exercise (TTX). This course will also provide template materials needed to deliver five (5) different TTXs, with one (1) of the five TTXs delivered in the afternoon of the training day. To meet requirements, participants must review each training model and complete all required course assignments, activities, quizzes, and/or an end of course exam.
Targeted Audience: First responders, emergency managers, security directors, school based law enforcement, superintendents, school administrators, school counselors, and elected or appointed officials.
You must register for the training through the Texas A & M Extension Services website- Sign up here
School Safety Compliance
Behavior Threat Assessment Records Transfers
TAA Released December 14, 2023 on HB 3 Transfer of Students Records - Click Here
- New Record Transfer Requirements
- TREx Discipline Record
- TREx Threat Assessment Indicator and Record Transfer
- Guidance Video - PEIMS, registrars, TREx clerks, BTA
- TXSSC Guidance Checklist to transfer BTA records
Integrating K–12 Students With Disabilities Into School Emergency Management Planning
This fact sheet provides guidance on taking an inclusive and equitable approach to emergency management planning by considering and including the needs of students with disabilities.
How do I update AskTED district contact information?
Districts: Please submit the liaison information to your district’s AskTED administrator. Include the liaison’s name, email address and phone number.
Charter Schools: Please submit the liaison information to the TEA Charter School Division directly via (512) 463-9575 or CharterSchools@tea.texas.gov. Make sure you include the liaison’s name, email address, and phone number. This information will be added to the AskTED directory for you.
Texas School Safety Center Releases
- NEW Safe Gun Storage educator toolkit (DPS). TxSSC Flyer for parents.
- Safety Response Training - a new curriculum developed in partnership with Safe and Sound Schools and Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT), see webpage.
- Updated K-12 School Facility Audit Checklist
- NEW Utilities Toolkit - Visit the Toolkit
School Safety Funding
2023-2025 Safety and Facilities Enhancement (SAFE) Grant
Cycle 1: January 15 - passed - 2023-2025 Safety and Facilities Enhancement (SAFE) Grant, Cycle 1 eGrant Application. Questions? Contact Nick Davis (nick.davis@tea.texas.gov).
Cycle 2: January 31 - passed - Superintendents must complete and submit a Compliance Analysis document located in the IDA Dashboard. To see the questions that will be asked, see this SAFE Grant Cycle 2 LEA Compliance Assessment PDF.
- Safety and Facilities Enhancement (SAFE) Grant Cycle 2 Information, TAA released December 14, 2023
School Safety Allotment Funds: February 12 - TAA - FY23 School Safety Allotment Data Collection Released January 4, 2024. The survey is open Friday, January 5th - Monday, February 12, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. When completing the survey, LEAs should only account for funds allotted. To successfully complete the survey, LEAs should gather and collect information related to all expenditures from their school safety allotment for the 2023 fiscal year. Link to FY23 School Safety Allotment Data Collection Qualtrics Survey To review requested information click PDF: FY 2023 School Safety Allotment data collection. For more information see Texas Education Code, Section 48.115 and our T4PA School Safety Allotment Funds.
Substance Use Prevention
NPR Article: Sesame Street Muppets help young kids affected by opioid epidemic
More videos for young children in the article.
Texas Say What! Action Summit Registration
The Texas School Safety Center is hosting several Say What! Action summits during the spring. Summits utilize service learning to train 6th-grade through 12th-grade students in effective tobacco prevention activities aimed at reducing the harmful effects of tobacco, nicotine, and e-cigarette use in Texas. Each summit also includes a local community action event which each participant receives community service hours for. View summit dates and register.
Fentanyl Awareness & Prevention
- Guidelines for Schools Reporting Opioid Antagonists Administration
- DSHS Required Reporting Forms webpage. These resources include links to prevention toolkits, standing orders, and more.
- Fentanyl Awareness Resources- Curated for School
- TEA Fentanyl Response Communications Toolkit
- Texas HHSC: Fighting Fentanyl
- TAA - Implementation of Fentanyl-Related Legislation, released September 21, 2023
- Substance Use Prevention Communications Toolkit for Youth 12-18
- Dead on Arrival - Opioid Fentanyl Awareness
- Texas A&M Health Opioid Task Force
Mental Health + Well-Being
TEA: 2024 Mental and Behavioral Health Webinar Series second Thursday of each month from Jan-June at 11– 12:30pm via Zoom. Registration. Upcoming webinars: February 8.
Parent and Caregiver Resources
Texas Children’s Hospital’s Division of Public Health Pediatrics shared some amazing documents (English and Spanish) they created for parents and caregivers. Click Here
- Explaining suicide to children (adapted from AFSP’s guidelines)
- Explaining suicide attempt to children (adapted from AFSP’s guidelines)
- Parents’ guide to psych hospitals
- Level of Care (Houston and Austin areas) – this is updated every six months and will eventually be put on their website
Resources in Response to Recent Extreme Weather from National Child Traumatic Stress Network:
- After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal (En Español)
- Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event (En Español; ASL)
- Helping Youth after a Community Trauma: Tips for Educators
- Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents
- Once I Was Very Very Scared (En Español) – children’s book
- Talking to Children: When Scary Things Happen (En Espanol)
- After the Injury—website for families with injured children
- Health Care Toolbox—website for pediatric health providers working with injured children
- Pause-Reset-Nourish (PRN) to Promote Wellbeing (En Español) (for responders)
SAMHSA has a Disaster Distress Helpline—call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to a trained counselor 24/7/365.
Events + Resources
FY23 School Safety Allotment Data Collection
The 86th Legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 11, creating an annual school safety allotment to help fund equipment, programs and training related to school safety and security. The 87th Legislature enacted House Bill (HB) 1525 which included a provision requiring TEA to publish an annual report regarding the programs, personnel, resources, and other purposes for which those funds are used by LEAs.
FY 2023 School Safety Allotment data will be collected by mandatory survey beginning Friday, January 5, 2024, and concluding Monday, February 12, 2024. Superintendents will receive the Qualtrics survey via email Friday, January 5, 2024.
To successfully complete the survey, LEAs should gather and collect information related to all expenditures from their school safety allotment for the 2023 fiscal year. When completing the survey, LEAs should only account for funds allotted. LEAs should complete the survey by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, February 12, 2024. Prior to submission, please review the requested information for the FY 2023 School Safety Allotment data collection.
For additional information, please see Texas Education Code, Section 48.115.
Physical Health
Free COVID Tests - Federal Government Announces Partnership to Distribute Free COVID-19 Tests to Schools
DSHS: SHAC Website Updates
The School Health Advisory Council Guide for Texas School Districts is now available in Spanish. Both the English and Spanish versions can be found on the School Health Advisory Council webpage.
Managing Chronic Health Conditions in the School Setting
Asthma | Diabetes | Epilepsy | Food Allergies | Oral Health | Obesity
Promoting Healthy Behaviors
Nutrition | Physical Activity | Out of School Time | School Employee Wellness | Sleep and Health | Healthy and Supportive School Environments
Healthy Relationships
Recognizing and Responding to Teen Dating Violence Toolkit - TxSSC
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. Section 1 begins with an overview of dating violence for all audiences. Subsequent sections are directed to school staff, parents, and students, each with information relevant to the specific audience. Click Here.
Student Discipline
- Student Discipline Virtual Professional Development Training: Student Discipline Professional Development Training for Administrators and PEIMS Personnel.
- TEA Discipline Reports by state, region, district, or campus level.
- T-Rex discipline system will transfer the last 5 years of PEIMs Discipline Records when a student transfers as of last week.
- TEA Discipline Website
- New PEIMS Info - Table 165 Discipline Action Codes - Marihuana, E-Cig, Controlled Substance
- Discipline Flowchart for Students Identified with or suspected to have a Disability Under IDEA
- COMING SOON: TEA Educator training series focused on addressing student behavior and creating a better school experience for students and educators.
Technical Resources
- TEA Discipline Website
- New PEIMS Info - Table 165 Discipline Action Codes - Marihuana, E-Cig, Controlled Substance
- Discipline Flowchart for Students Identified with or suspected to have a Disability Under IDEA
- COMING SOON: TEA Educator training series focused on addressing student behavior and creating a better school experience for students and educators.
School Safety Resources
Just Released! TEA Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness & Human Trafficking Webinar Series
March 1 | After the Report: Screening and Investigation | Registration Zoom Link
Educators are in a unique position to recognize, report and help to prevent child abuse and human trafficking. Educators are vital in recognizing the warning signs of abused or neglected students and guiding potential victims to available resources and support. This webinar series is a collaboration of state and regional agencies to assist and support school leaders with fulfilling their mandated duties and requirements concerning child abuse and neglect and promoting the well-being and safety of all Texas school students. All Zoom meetings will be held from 10:30-11:30 am. They are open to all ESCs, Districts, and Community Partners. Click Here for Registration and/or Print for Distribution.
School Safety Trainings
Safety & Security Roundtable Series (VIRTUAL)
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
Planning your Standard Reunification Exercise “Recovery Starts when the Crisis Begins”
THIS WILL BE A VIRTUAL SESSION
February 6, 2024
9am-11am
This roundtable will focus on resources and guidance to assist you in incorporating your Standard Reunification exercise into your school safety plans, to help with managing student/parent reunification after a crisis.
UPCOMING SCHOOL SAFETY CONFERENCES
Breakfast and Lunch will be Served
The Safety 1st Conference is committed to providing training and workshops to assist our schools with providing a safe and secure school environment for our children and staff. Superintendents, school police chiefs, directors, staff and leadership face unprecedented social changes, potential targeted acts of violence and catastrophic events in our nation’s schools. In this one-day school safety conference, Region 10 will be bringing together some of the country’s most experienced school safety experts in their field to discuss multiple topics on this subject.
* This session is free to all Districts/Private Schools and Charter Schools who have purchased the Region 10 Administrative Services Package. All non-Region 10 participants will pay $150.00 per person for this event.
For CS Student Volunteers, Admin, SROs. Focus on current campus trends/issues: cyberbullying, drugs, theft, self-defense classes, demo forensic labs, police station tours, state-related regulations, relevant criminal justice topics, and lots of fun!
The conference registration, hotel reservation link, call for presenters, call for exhibitors, and detailed conference information will be posted in mid-January 2024. For more information contact Cynthia J. Arredondo at cj19@txstate.edu.