Safety & Security Newsletter
Keeping You in the Know
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Safety 1st Conference
The Safety 1st Conference is committed to providing training and workshops to assist our schools in providing a safe and secure school environment for our students and staff. Superintendents, school police chiefs, security 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 safety summit, Region 10 will be bringing together some of the country’s most experienced school safety experts to discuss multiple topics on school safety.
The Safety 1st Conference will be offering presentations from our keynote speaker, Dr. Leigh Wall, Santa Fe ISD Superintendent (ret.), reviewing the district’s experiences and learnings after the Santa Fe ISD school shooting.
George Brauchler, the Arapahoe County (CO) District Attorney of the 18th Judicial District (ret.), will present a case study of the STEM Academy school shooting in Highlands Ranch, Colorado in 2019.
The conference is proud to announce presentations from Chief Craig Miller, Dallas ISD Police Chief (ret.), Gregory Reyes (Texas School Safety Center), Lt. Paul Smith (Texas Department of Public Safety, Criminal Investigations Unit), Jon Bodie (Frisco ISD Emergency Management Operations), Yuri Betancourt-Boya (Dallas Child Advocacy Center), The North TX Governance Alliance and the Texas Education Agency.
We will close out our conference with a powerful Fentanyl presentation from John-Mark Meulman (Collin County Substance Abuse Program).
Complimentary Grab-N-Go breakfast & lunch for all attendees.
*****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.******
Tuesday, Apr 25, 2023, 08:00 AM
400 East Spring Valley Road, Richardson, TX, USA
Important Upcoming Due Dates
March 8 - DARtool Survey from TxSSC
TxSSC has sent an email to all Superintendents about the upcoming District Audit Reports (the Safety Audit report. To ensure all Superintendents receive the DARtool information, the TxSSC is updating the contact database for all Texas ISDs. Please use the link and access code in the email to complete a brief survey to verify the accuracy of your district contact information.
April 14 - DARtool Access email will be sent to Superintendents
TxSSC will email Superintendents a link and unique access code to the online District Audit Reporting Tool (DARtool). Districts may begin reporting audit results at any time after receiving the DARtool link and access code. If you have any questions, please contact the TxSSC at txssc_audit_info@txstate.edu. Information due on September 15, 2023.
June 2 - Health Survey
Information in TEA correspondence. Districts and open-enrollment charters must complete the 2022-2023 survey on or before 5:00 pm (CDT) on Friday, June 2, 2023. For questions related to the school health survey, please email healthandsafety@tea.texas.gov.
End of June, 2023 - SSSP Data Collection to TEA
Report SSSP team activities by CAMPUS. Email will be sent to Superintendent listed in AskTED. Please update AskTED if leadership has changed.
SSSP Survey Data Collection Questions
Summer PEIMS Submission
PEIMS Discipline Code- If a student discipline results in a change of placement, it will ask if a Behavioral Threat Assessment was conducted.
August 1 - School Safety Standards Grant Application | ERRATA
2022-2025 School Safety Standards Formula Grant (opens external link in new window) Eligible applicants must apply through the eGrants system by the new deadline of Tuesday, August 1, 2023 by 5:00pm CST.
Errata #1 Notice: 2022-2025 School Safety and Security Formula Grant Program.
- Preaward date changed to June 1, 2022
- Clarified what is meant by expend "all" of your 2019-2021 School Safety and Security Grant funds
- Added vestibules as an allowable activity under Other Allowable Items (after minimal compliance with School Safety Standards Rule has been met)
August 31 - Deadline - District Audit Cycle Ends
All Independent School Districts (ISDs) that own, lease, or directly operate/manage facilities are required by Texas Education Code 37.108 to complete safety and security audits of all district facilities.
September 15 - DAR Report Due
Districts are required to report specified audit results to the Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC)
Intruder Detection Audit Findings Report - Fall 2022
Human Trafficking
TEA Human Trafficking Webinar Series | March 3 | 10:30 am | Technology and Trafficking | Zoom Link
NEW - Child Exploitation Webpage
New Tool - "Take it Down"
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is officially launching an exciting new tool for survivors of online child sexual abuse. The groundbreaking platform, aptly named, Take It Down, allows users from around the world to submit a case to help remove nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit photos and videos depicting a child under 18 years old from the surfaces of participating electronic service providers.
Please share this with the parents and trusted adults in your life and encourage them to do the same, to help us expand on programs like Take it Down and reach even more at-risk teens.
Dating Violence
This is an issue that impacts everyone – not just teens – but their parents, teachers, friends and communities as well. Together, we can raise the nation’s awareness about teen dating violence and promote safe, healthy relationships. Check out these resources!
Texas School Safety Center
New - Learning Lab School Safety Podcast
- In each episode our hosts and expert guests analyze and highlight the challenges and successes of improving Texas youth safety and security. Topics covered to date include bullying, emergency operations planning, child trafficking, the opioid crisis, and more.
2023 Youth Preparedness Camp Team Application Now Available
- Engaging, fun, and effective experience in empowering youth to not only educate and inform their peers and community members about the importance of being prepared, but to serve as a key leader during an emergency!
- Free. July 0-13. | Texas State University, San Marcus
School and community-based youth groups who want to attend camp MUST be in grades 9-12 and submit an application and video that showcases how coming to camp will create a culture of preparedness in their school and/or community. To learn more about Youth Preparedness Camp and application instructions, click here.
The deadline to apply and submit the video is April 19, 2023 by 12 p.m. CT. Applicants will be notified of their status by April 26, 2023 with next steps for registering, if selected.
SBOE School Safety Training for Newly Elected Board Members
SBOE School Safety Training is available on TEA Learn. Trustees who complete the training receive a certificate of completion from TEA Learn. School districts must maintain verification of completion of the school safety training for each of their trustees. Newly elected trustees who did not complete the training prior to their election have 120 days from the date of their election or appointment to complete the training. For TEA Learn technical support, please use this link: TEA Learn Technical Support. If you have questions about the training, please contact a member of the TEA governance team at (512) 936-1533 or via email at schoolgovernance@tea.texas.gov.
Peace Officer Interaction Course - Graduation Requirement
Flashing Lights: Creating Safe Interactions Between Citizens and Law Enforcement is a product of the Texas Community Safety Education Act (Senate Bill 30), passed by the 85th Texas Legislature. The goal of the act is to define the behavior and expectations of citizens and law enforcement during traffic interactions. Click here for the FAQ from Senate Bill 30, Community Safety Education Act. Click here to learn more about the course.
Texas School Safety Center's Emergency Operations Plan Review Cycle
TxSSC Multi Hazard EOP Review Update and Information 2023-2024 Review Cycle
The Multi Hazard Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) review cycle mandated by Texas Education Code Chapter 37.2071, which requires K-12 ISDs, charter schools, and junior colleges to submit EOP documents to the Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC).
The TxSSC will conduct annual reviews of Multi-hazard EOPs beginning in September of each year. The review will always include the Basic Plan as well as annexes/appendices from selected focal areas which will vary from year to year. The TxSSC is your partner in this process and will provide resources and technical assistance to help districts successfully create and submit plans.
Current Multi-hazard EOP Review Cycle (2022-2023)
The current review cycle focuses on the Basic Plan, Active Threat Annex and Active Shooter Appendix. The TxSSC will complete initial reviews and work with districts to help them satisfy the evaluation criteria. Many districts have completed this process.
Future Multi-hazard EOP Review Cycle (2023-2024)
The next review cycle will begin in September of 2023. TxSSC will request the following Multi-hazard EOP documents.
- Basic Plan
- Severe Weather Annex
- Hazardous Materials Annex
- Train Derailment Appendix
Multi-hazard EOP Review Methodology (2023-2024)
The TxSSC will review 100% of districts and colleges for update items to the Basic Plan and randomly select 30% of districts and colleges for a review of Severe Weather Annex and Hazardous Materials Annex including the Train Derailment Appendix. Districts should prepare all documents listed above. The TxSSC will notify your district by email which documents your district will be required to submit on September 25, 2023.
Multi-hazard EOP Planning Resources
The TxSSC has developed planning toolkits that include plan templates, completion guides and other resources. The toolkits include links to online courses that focus on how districts can tailor plans to specific environments. The resources below will assist you in preparing documents for the 2023-2024 review cycle.
- Basic Plan Toolkit | Texas School Safety Center (txstate.edu)
- Severe Weather Toolkit | Texas School Safety Center (txstate.edu)
- Hazardous Materials Toolkit | Texas School Safety Center (txstate.edu)
The TxSSC will email districts with 2023-2024 evaluation criteria (checklists) to districts and colleges on March 22, 2023. The TxSSC will also coordinate regional workshops in the summer and early fall to assist districts with the 2023-2024 review cycle.
Key Dates:
- March 2023: Evaluation criteria for 2023-2024 review cycle will be sent to districts and colleges.
- September 25, 2023: 2023-2024 Multi-hazard EOP review cycle begins.
- October 25, 2023: Deadline to submit plans for the 2023-2024 review cycle.
If you have questions about either the current or upcoming Multi-hazard EOP review cycle, please email the TxSSC at txssc_EOP@txstate.edu or contact your regional TxSSC EOP Specialist: gregory.reyes@txstate.edu
Substance Use
TEA and HHSC Fentanyl Awareness Toolkits
Toolkits to assist school systems with educating their schools and communities on the growing dangers of this lethal opioid. For more information, please visit the TEA Fentanyl Response Communications Toolkit webpage and the HHSC Fighting Fentanyl webpage.
Say What! Escape the Vape-This digital kit has everything you need to host your own escape room! Participants must escape the clutches of tobacco industry executives in under 30 minutes to avoid being the next guinea pig for new tobacco products!
Vaping and E-Cigarettes: A Toolkit for Working with Youth
Substance Use Prevention Communications Toolkit for Youth 12-18
YOUR VOICE COUNTS when it comes to preventing substance use in youth. This toolkit teaches effective ways to communicate and make your voice heard. As educators, caregivers, public safety professionals, healthcare professionals, and prevention professionals, we all have a role in preventing onset and escalation of substance use in youth aged 12-18. See Toolkit here.
Dead on Arrival - Opioid Fentanyl Awareness
The intent of this lesson is to bring awareness of the synthetic opioid fentanyl and its devastating impact on individuals, families, and the community. This lesson also provides an important opportunity to educate students about the potency of fentanyl and the dangers of using naloxone (Narcan) as a safety net in the event of an overdose; allowing them to make informed decisions when faced with a fentanyl or substance misuse scenario. Lesson provided by the Texas National Guard Joint Counterdrug Task Force.
Mental Health
Mental Health Training Webinars
2023 TEA Mental and Behavioral Health Webinar Series
The Texas Education Agency Mental and Behavioral Health Team and Project AWARE Texas will be hosting a series of monthly webinars on timely and relevant school mental health topics including substance use/abuse prevention, school and community partnerships, parent engagement, and school safety.
2nd Wednesday of each month from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (CST) via Zoom. Select the date below to register for each webinar:
March 8, 2023 Topic: Accessing Resources Using the School Mental Health Database
March 8, 2023 | April 12, 2023 | May 10, 2023 | June 14, 2023
Restorative Practices for Educators
The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) is hosting Restorative Practices for Educators training in various locations around Texas. In this four-hour session, participants will discuss why restorative practices are a proactive and reactive tool that campuses should have in their intervention toolbox. To register for a training, please visit the Restorative Practices for Educators training webpage.
ACEs Training for Educators
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention is now offering ACEs training for educators. To take the training, please visit the ACEs Training Module webpage. For additional information and tools about ACEs, please visit the CDC's ACEs webpage.
Suicide Prevention Training for District Leaders
March 27, 2023 Suicide Prevention in Schools Flier - ESC 13 - March 27, 2023
Released - Texas State Plan for Suicide Prevention 2023-2028
Additional Mental Health Resources
Trauma-Informed Care Training - Road to Recovery
Road to Recovery is a Trauma-Informed Care master training that is free and accessible online to all Texans via NCTSN.org. The training curriculum is available in English/Spanish.
- Sign up for the learning center on the website to access
- Reach out to Holly if you have further questions Holly.Fullmer@hhs.texas.gov
Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT)
For more information about TCHATT see this PowerPoint.
YAM - Youth Aware of Mental Health
Youth Aware of Mental health, also known as YAM, is a school-based program for young people ages 13 to 17, in which they learn about and explore the topic of mental health. YAM is an evidence-based program taking place in classrooms around the world. Students actively engage with the topic of mental health through role-play and student-led discussions.
- Education and Outreach Services | Edu-Services@ttuhsc.edu | (806) 743-3026
Safety & Security Program Coordinator
Email: laevening.woodard@region10.org
Website: www.region10.org
Location: 400 East Spring Valley Road, Richardson, TX, USA
Phone: 9723481556