Region 3 ESC

October School Safety Update

Region 3 School Safety

In an effort to assist school districts in implementing safety initiatives more effectively, Region 3 will provide relevant school safety guidance, resources, training opportunities, professional development, technical assistance and TEA updates.

School Safety Upcoming Deadlines, Due Dates & Requirements

EOP Annual Review by TxSSC - TEC 37.2071

  • Review includes: Basic Plan, Active Threat Annex, and Active Shooter Appendix
  • Email sent to Superintendents September 12, 2022
  • Deadline - October 12 upload documents
  • Evaluation Criteria - Basic Plan , Active Threat Annex , Active Shooter Appendix
  • EOP Basic Plan Toolkit - TEC 37.108 - Toolkit - template, course, guide, evaluation
  • Active Threat Annex Toolkit - template, guide, course, evaluation criteria, other resources
  • Active Shooter Appendix Toolkit
  • Things to remember from TxSSC:
    • There are NO extensions this year.
    • Non-compliance process will start immediately if not submitted on time
    • If the district has adopted NIMS, put the adoption date in there. If district cannot find it in meeting minutes, put the best guess of the month and year.
    • Ensure everywhere that staff training is brought up in your Active Threat and Active Shooter plans that it includes substitute teachers.
    • These reviews are taking a long time. Please don’t expect to get them back within a week. It may take a month or longer. TxSSC can only review 1-2 per day (that’s if districts use the current templates).
    • Plan on getting it back with some deficiencies. Ask questions if needed, correct the plan, resubmit, and please wait patiently for it to be reviewed again.
    • When resubmitting, please do so within 14 days or less of getting your report back.



TASB Adopting and Implementing a Multihazard Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
Big picture

Bullying Resources

Reinforcing a Bully-Free School Climate | October 10, 2022 | 10:00am CST

School Climate is the number 1 predictor of campus violence. It’s imperative the campuses take the proper safety measures to reinforce a bully-free school climate. Join Education Specialist, Ernesto Reyes, to learn more on why zero-tolerance policies do not work and bullying prevention exercises that can be implemented year-round.

Register here

Please join the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse on October 13 at 2:00 PM EDT for an informational webinar on bullying awareness and prevention resources along with guidance to help create safer school environments. This session will provide information and resources designed for the kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) school community.


The event will provide an overview of what bullying is and how to identify it, key strategies and actions schools and school personnel can implement to prevent and address it, and the tools and resources available from the government to support schools in these efforts, including StopBullying.gov.


  • When: October 13, 2022, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
  • Where: Webex (access link to be provided one day in advance of the event)
  • For: K-12 School Superintendents and Principals; Counselors and Mental Health Practitioners; School and District Administrators; Teachers and School Staff; School Resource Officers; Parents and Guardians; Students
  • Registration: https://2022schoolsafetybullyingpreventionwebinar.eventbrite.com
In-Person Bullying vs. Cyberbullying | October 17, 2022 | 10:00am CST

Bullies have always existed, but over time we have seen a shift from the school yard bully to the (more dangerous) cyberbully. Inherently, both forms of bullying are rooted in an imbalance of power, but cyberbullying can often feel more complex and harder to notice. Our Programs Coordinator, Joshua Webb, will dive deep into the impact bullying has on teen’s mental health.

Register here.

Trending School Safety Topics

DEA Warns of Brightly-Colored Fentanyl Used to Target Young Americans


See the official press release here form the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Swatting! A scary hoax that is putting schools on high alert.


A nasty and spreading hoax called “swatting” is now forcing school leaders to worry about school shootings that are not actually occurring. See the full article here.

Substance Abuse Resources

Vaping Culture and Its Impact | October 24, 2022 | 10:00am CST

In this webinar, Safe School Director, Jenna Fondren, will explore the rise in popularity of Teen Vaping. Vaping culture impacts a student’s emotional, physical, and social well-being. Join us to learn more about what teens are up against and why this has become such a phenomenon.

Register here.
Fentanyl Awareness & Social Media | October 31, 2022 | 10:00am CST

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid similar to morphine that is 50 to 100 times more potent. Teens are being targeted because fentanyl is highly addictive, and social media platforms make it easy for dealers to connect with and sell to teens with little risk of being caught. Join Education Specialist, Ernesto Reyes, as he unpacks the devastating realty of the fentanyl crisis.

Register here.

Human Trafficking Resources

TEA Human Trafficking and Child Abuse webinar series



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.


Register here.

General School Safety Resources

Behavioral Threat Assessment Information Sharing


Just Released - Video Introduction
Watch now! This video is an introduction to the National Center for School Safety product, A Quick Guide to Information Sharing During Threat Reporting & Assessment. Learn more and view the full guide here.

Systematic Review: Anonymous Reporting Systems for School-Based Violence Prevention
(Video)

Say Something teaches middle and high school students to recognize the warning signs of someone at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to say something to a trusted adult to get help.

View dates and register here.

Safe and Supportive School Programs (SSSP)

Trainings and Conferences

Behavioral Threat Assessment Training


Behavioral Threat Assessment Training provides a proactive, evidence-based approach for identifying individuals who may pose a threat and for providing interventions before a violent incident occurs.


Where: Region 3


When: October 19, 2022


Time: 8:30-3:30 PM


Register here.

Region 3 in conjunction with TEEX will be hosting an Active Shooter Exercise Development Workshop at the University of Houston-Victoria on October 26, 2022.



October 26, 2022 / Class Start Time: 8:00 AM CST

University of Houston-Victoria

1604 East Airline (multi purpose room)

Victoria, Texas 77901

Register here.

GANGS & GUNS Training Symposium

LIVE VIRTUAL EVENT


The 15th Annual Gangs & Guns Training Symposium, presented by ​Safer Schools Together on February 9-10, 2023 focuses on prevention, intervention, and enforcement strategies that are applicable to all communities.

This Symposium is for educators, law enforcement and community partners working with youth and gang prevention/intervention Register here.

Other Webinars/Virtual Training



  • LSSCA Counselor Conference | November 6-9 Frisco | Register Here
  • TSCA Professional School Counselor Conference | February 12-14 Round Rock
  • Virtual ABC-Summit - Integrating School Mental Health to Support the Whole Child |Nov 29-December 1, 2022 | FREE registration

    • Audience: ESCs, districts, state agencies, community organizations
    • Focus: ways to elevate and integrate school mental health and wellness to support the whole child by advancing school mental health practices and strengthening community partnerships.