School Safety

 GREAT CENTRAL UNITED STATES SHAKE-OUT!

The district successfully participated in the Shake-Out on April 28, 2011.

MISSOURI SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (MSIP)

Part of the Missouri School Improvement Program, or MSIP, reviews, requires schools to report on school safety.  The District's Response to the Standards standard 8.10 for Third Cycle review, and standard 8.11 in the Fourth Cycle MSIP review, instruct district officials to describe their schedule for emergency drills (e.g., fire, intruder, earthquake) and degree of implementation of school violence prevention programs. 

REQUIREMENTS FOR DRILLS

Part of the MSIP accreditation review calls for reporting the number of emergency and safety drills (fire, tornado, earthquake, intruder, and other drills) completed during the previous one-year period.  Counties in proximity to the New Madrid fault lines have a requirement for two earthquake drills a year (160.453 RSMo).  Ordinarily, schools would also conduct at least two fire and tornado drills conducted each year, and more if required by local regulations. 

The board policy set developed by the Missouri School Boards Association includes policy EBC (Emergency Plans/Safety Drills) which states: "A sufficient number of drills will be conducted in each building to give instruction and practice in proper actions by staff and students." 

The Division of Fire Safety at the State Fire Marshal's office (800-877-5688) confirms that  there are no state requirements for fire drills in schools. 

SCHOOL SAFETY & VIOLENCE PREVENTION

SAFE AND DRUG FREE SCHOOLS

In a reauthorization of the Improving America's Schools Act in 1994, Title IV funding was expanded to include alcohol, tobacco, and other drug and violence prevention.  To learn more about Title IV, Part A (Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities), visit the U. S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools website .

MISSOURI SAFE SCHOOLS ACT

According to Missouri safe schools legislation, each district must develop a written discipline policy which addresses the use of and procedures for the administration of corporal punishment, defines "acts of school violence" or "violent behavior", and includes a provision regarding weapons.  The act details requirements for student enrollment in a district, such as providing proof of residency and previous school records. This legislation also makes provisions for reporting and information sharing among and between school district administrators and law enforcement agencies.

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND (NCLB)

Visit this site to learn more about how the No Child Left Behind Act helps to make schools safer.

EMPLOYEE SAFETY

All employees should take measures to safeguard their health and safety while at work.  An employee should bring to their administrator's attention any conditions in the workplace which make that employee feel unsafe.  An employee should immediately report any accident in which he or she is involved in while at work.  Please contact your administrator or the district's Human Resources office regarding accident reporting procedures.

SCHOOL SAFETY RESOURCES

Here are some quick links to information on school safety.

1. Overview of the Safe Schools Act  

2. U.S. Dept of Education, Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools

3. McGruff.org -- School Safety

4. Earthquake Safety Handout (pdf)