RRSD Response to Threats

Threat Assessment Protocol and Responses to Threats:

Whenever there is a rumor of a threat or an actual threat directed at students, staff, or schools, we get asked a lot of questions about how we respond to those. Because of student confidentiality laws, we can't share specific details with families about what happened to or what is being done about a child who may have made a threat. This is understandably frustrating and can leave a family wondering if anything is being done at all. To help with this, I am going to go into detail about our typical response to threats. If a threat of violence has been made by a student, it should be assumed that the following is our procedure for addressing said threats.

• As soon as administration are aware that a credible threat has been made and are able, notification will be sent out to the families of the child or children who made the threat and for whom the threat was directed. This notification will take place within 24 hours unless the school is under a gag order or there are laws that prohibit this communication.

• Threats involving weapons, destructive devices, or serious harm are immediately referred to the school marshal and local police offices for support. Law enforcement follows their own protocol to make sure there are no imminent threats of violence. Home visits and conferences with parents of a child that made a violent threat are part of law enforcement's approach to these matters.

• Actions are taken to make sure any potential threat is handled quickly. School administration begin an investigation to gather more facts and try to make sure there is no imminent threat. Students believed to be a potential threat are removed from the general setting and put under observation until we are sure there is no immediate threat.

• A Level 1 threat assessment team which can comprise of our school marshal, school administration, select school staff, and our behavioral specialist meet to review the situation and decide if the child making the threat should be referred to a Level 2 threat assessment team. A student suspected of making a legitimate threat of violence will not be allowed back into school until cleared by the threat assessment team process.

• If a Level 2 threat assessment is deemed necessary, this brings in a larger team of specialists from the county. These specialists are from behavioral health, DHS, Jackson County Sheriff's office, the District Attorney's office, and more. This team will review the case and determine what needs to be done for the student making the threat and for other staff and students to ensure everyone's safety. A student referred to this level of assessment will not be in school until cleared by this team, or until specific conditions are met to ensure all students are safe.

• A student who made a credible threat of significant violence will not be back in school until specialists in the field of behavioral health and law enforcement have deemed that student is safe to return. If the child is able to return, extra measures decided by the Level 2 team will be in place for the student, family, and school to increase the safety for everyone.

• When a threat is made against one student or a small group of students, the families of the students who were threatened will be contacted within 24 hours. If a threat is broader or more generalized like a threat against a class, the school, or a larger group of students, all families and staff in the school will be notified within 24 hours.

What You Can Do:

• Talk about the importance of school safety with your child. Make sure they know how to report a threat of violence and to whom they should report.
• Utilize the SafeOregon tipline at https://www.safeoregon.com/report-a-tip/ to anonymously report threats of violence.
• Make sure any weapons in your home are safely locked away and inaccessible to your child in accordance with ORS 166.395
• Keep track of your student's mental health. Reach out to your teacher or administrator if you have concerns about your child's mental health so we can connect you to supportive resources.
• Be involved in and monitor your child's social media activity.
• Trust that we have your child's safety as a priority and be a partner in creating a healthy and respectful attitude towards school, staff, and other students.

I hope this resource helps families have a better understanding of what the RRSD is doing to improve the safety of your child. Thank you for partnering with us to keep schools a safe place to be.