MHMS - School Safety
Critical Incident Response
MHMS reviewed our Critical Incident plans
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School Safety/Critical Incident Education
Today our middle school students successfully participated in a lesson that reviewed our critical incident response plan. The goals for our students were to understand the plans in place to keep everyone safe and understand the different options available to respond to incidents.
The idea of today’s discussion was not to create fear or concern for students but to discuss the options we have if we did have an emergency. It is important that each and every one of us feel safe at school. It goes without saying that each of us are saddened and hurt by the stories of when school violence occurs.
The Mount Horeb Area School District continues to work with the Mount Horeb Police Department and other agencies to update our procedures, protocols, and actions in the event of an actual emergency. As you can imagine, detailed plans have been developed should the need ever arise.
While attention is often paid to what schools do after a tragic event, we have worked hard to reaffirm with our students what we have in place as a school to prevent such an incident. In addition to discussing and practicing our procedures, students learn that:
Students should report any suspicious people or incidents at school to an adult.
Students should report concerns to an adult at school regarding people from outside our school community who may have problems or have given a student reason to be concerned about the school's safety.
Ways that our schools work hard to get to know students as individuals so there is better recognition of when students are struggling and provide them with the support they need. Some of the ways we do this are:
Student Services staff who support students with peer and other issues.
Please see details of student services below
Student support groups provide counseling and support to students with specific needs.
Programming for students with exceptional needs (learning & behavior).
Planned activities which address a variety of peer related issues.
Team teachers meet regularly--a portion of their time is dedicated to discussing students and observing changes in behaviors, academic concerns, student observations, etc.
We offer clubs, sports, and other school activities to help students feel a part of their school.
We periodically use anonymous surveys to identify student safety concerns and address student needs.
We address each and every student issue that we know about.
Talking to an adult is not tattling:
The best thing a student can do is tell an adult as soon as possible if they hear, see, or know of a student or community member who is struggling.
Helping a friend or schoolmate feel better by sharing information with an adult, is not gossiping or tattling; it’s showing concern for peers and school.
Again, the idea of today’s discussion was not to create fear or concern for students but to discuss the options we have if we did have an emergency. It is important that each and every one of us feel safe at school.
As always, if you ever have questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Paul Christiansen, Principal
christiansenpaul@mhasd.k12.wi.us
Catie Goninen, Assistant Principal
Mount Horeb Middle School
MISSION: Our mission is to ensure high levels of academic and social/emotional learning for all Mt. Horeb Middle School students and staff.
VISION: The preparation and practices of our middle school reflect our commitment to successfully develop students’ skills for high school.Email: christiansenpaul@mhasd.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.mhasd.k12.wi.us/schools/middle/
Location: 900 East Garfield Street, Mount Horeb, WI, USA
Phone: 608.437.7306
Twitter: @christiansenpMH