SSF Lever 2:

Student and Staff Safety

Student and staff safety involves creating a safer and healthier learning environment by addressing various challenges such as bullying, harassment, discrimination, and trauma; accessing supportive resources; having the ability and support tools to address challenging behaviors effectively; and promoting self-care, resilience, and stress management. Ensuring psychological and physical safety for students and staff is paramount, as it cultivates a conducive environment for learning and growth, fostering resilience and well-being. Safety encompasses not only physical well-being but also the establishment of trust and the cultivation of positive relationships within the school community.

  • Create a secure environment for students to feel understood and connected.

    • Key Practice 2.1.1: Prioritize Relationships

      • Prioritize building relationships and trust to foster feelings of safety for students

    • Key Practice 2.1.2: Culture of Belonging 

      • Engage school staff in ongoing activities that support a culture of belonging for all students and promote respectful interactions

    • Key Practice: 2.1.3: A Culture of Positive Relationships

      • Foster a culture where staff grow and learn together through intentional practices that build positive relationships

  • Implementation of proactive measures to prevent bullying, harassment, and discrimination across all settings.

    • Key Practice 2.2.1: Social Concerns

      • Teach Students about harmful social concerns

    • Key Practice 2.2.2: Prevention Techniques

      • Create prevention techniques and acceptance practices

    • Key Practice 2.2.3: Reporting Systems

      • Incorporate reporting systems and protocols

  • Prioritize student and staff safety by understanding and addressing the impact of trauma. 

    • Key Practice 2.3.1: Identify and Manage Traumatic Stress

      • Equip students and all stakeholders with tools to identify, address, and manage traumatic stress

    • Key Practice 2.3.2: Self-Care

      • Instill self-care, resiliency, and stress management practices in all stakeholders

    • Key Practice 2.3.3: Skills for Self-Care

      • Implement opportunities to use skills and empower self-care and life balance

    • Key Practice 2.3.4: Staff to Connect

      • Create opportunities for staff to connect, share experiences, and offer mutual support in a safe and non-judgmental environment

    • Key Practice 2.3.5: School Leaders Environment Where it’s Okay to Ask for Help

      • Encourage practices where school leaders are attentive to staff well-being, provide regular check-ins, and create an environment where it’s okay to ask for help

  • Ensure students are equipped with digital citizenship skills.

    • Key Practice 2.4.1: Digital Safety Training 

      • Deliver digital safety training for staff, students, and parents 

    • Key Practice 2.4.2: Integration of Digital Devices

      • Implement guidelines on the integration of digital devices in schools that promote health and safety

    • Key Practice 2.4.3: Technology Influences and Harms

      • Address concerns about technology influences and harms

  • Implement strategies and practices to help ensure the safety of all.

    • Key Practice 2.5.1: Conflict Resolution Techniques

      • Equip staff with conflict resolution techniques to address heightened situations among parents, students, and staff members

    • Key Practice 2.5.2: Prioritize Safety

      • Prioritize the safety of both students and staff

    • Key Practice 2.5.3: Effective Behavioral Threat Assessment Team 

      • Establish effective behavioral threat assessment team. School staff use the threat assessment instrument, manual, and field guide in Sentinel when forming, training for, and utilizing the behavior threat assessment team

    • Key Practice 2.5.4: Support with Escalated Behavior

      • Support staff before, during, and after escalated behavior occurs