ESC Region 12 Safe & Healthy School

TxSSC emailed the Summer 2022 Safety Certification Survey Tuesday, August 16, 2022, to the Superintendents. The survey is due September 9, 2022.

Please check your email for information with a unique ISD survey link. This is a link to the survey questions. https://locker.txssc.txstate.edu/4f3a018cc531ab392ac053e7aeab6a88/2022-Certification-Questions.pdf

Any district with any issues regarding receipt of the e-mail or filling out the Certification of Summer 2022 Safety and Security Requirements should notify txssc-ir@txstate.edu

The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) will soon begin the next cycle of Multi-hazard Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) reviews, specifically reviewing the Basic Plan and the Active Threat Annex including the Active Shooter Appendix. On September 12, 2022, they will send an email to superintendents of independent school districts and open-enrollment charter school districts requesting planning documents. Districts will have until October 12, 2022, to upload their Basic Plan, Active Threat Annex, and Active Shooter Appendix to the submission link provided in the September 12 email.

TxSSC uses the evaluation criteria within the checklists linked below to review independent school district and open-enrollment charter school district emergency operations plans against state mandates and best practices. You may use these checklists to self-assess your district’s plans prior to the fall 2022 review cycle. These checklists are now included in the respective toolkits on the TxSSC website.

Resources

Evaluation Criteria

• Basic Plan Evaluation Criteria
• Active Threat Annex Evaluation Criteria
• Active Shooter Appendix Evaluation Criteria

EOP Basic Plan Toolkit

The TxSSC EOP Basic Plan Toolkit offers:

• A Basic Plan Template prepped to help you address TEC 37.108 mandates.
• Basic Plan Course (EOP Development Series)
  • Shows the learner how to complete a Basic Plan unique to their district.
  • Shows the user how to use the TxSSC Hazard Analysis Tool to prioritize hazards for their district.
• TxSSC Hazard Analysis Tool
• Basic Plan Evaluation Criteria
• Additional Resources

Active Threat Toolkit

The TxSSC Active Threat Toolkit offers:

• Active Threat Annex Template
• Active Threat Annex Completion Guide
• Active Threat Annex Course
  • Shows the learner how to complete an Active Threat Annex unique to their district.
• Active Threat Annex Evaluation Criteria
• Appendices for specific Active Threat incidents
• Active Shooter Appendix Evaluation Criteria
• Additional Resources

Compliance

TEC 37.2071 specifies the compliance timeframe we are required to use for this review process.

TxSSC EOP Resource Development

The TxSSC Multi-hazard Emergency Operations Plan resources are developed to ensure usefulness and accessibility for school district personnel. They include applicable stakeholders and the most authoritative resources available in their initial research and then conduct stakeholder feedback sessions for usefulness and accessibility.

Contact

If you are interested in being a part of stakeholder review sessions for their resources, they invite you to express interest to TxSSC_EOP@txstate.edu.

If you have any questions about this process or about the resources they have developed to assist you with your district planning, please contact them at TxSSC_EOP@txstate.edu, and your regional readiness specialist will contact you.

The Public Safety Office (PSO) has posted two new funding opportunities on the eGrants website. Please see the funding announcements located on the eGrants website for application due dates, as well as important eligibility information; copies of the announcements are attached.

• ALERRT Travel Assistance, posted 8/17/2022, Due 8/31/2023
• Bullet-Resistant Shield, posted 8/17/2022, Due 9/19/2022

Here are some of the takeaways from the iWatch meeting held last week.

1. ESC and schools should consider downloading the app and bookmarking the website, so they are ready to make a report.

• www.iwatchtx.org
• TxSARNet Phone line 1-844-643-2251

2. Make this information known per Governor Abbott's directive

• We must accelerate these efforts to build a network of schools that are well-versed in suspicious activity reporting.
• I am directing DPS, TEA, and THECB to enhance and expedite your efforts to make widely known and easily accessible the ability to report suspicious activity known to students, staff, and families into iWatch.
• Efforts should include working with the state's eight fusion centers and with all school districts to teach students, staff, and families about Texas's suspicious activity reporting program, known as iWatchTexas.

3. Check and make sure your campus is in their system correctly

• Go to https://iwatchtx.org/en/Welcome/Index?site=txschools
• Select the applicable school name
• If the school is unavailable or identified incorrectly, contact iWatch Texas by emailing iWatchTexas_Schools@dps.texas.gov.
  

4. Consider assigning someone from each district/campus and have them apply to become a licensed user. This will give the district more access to threats reported about your district/campus, and you will be emailed when iWatch has received information about your district/campus

• It is up to the district to decide who should apply. It is recommended it be an individual with the ability to fully action a submitted reporting, including routing it to the correct individuals or teams for handling.
• To get a license, email iWatchTexas_Schools@dps.texas.gov to request a license. Someone will respond with more information to begin the process.

If you or your district have specific questions, I recommend you contact:

1. Lexi Quinney, Director of Directorate of Support

Intelligence and Counterterrorism

Texas Department of Public Safety

Lexi.Quinney@dps.texas.gov

512-424-2752

2. Kimberly Jones, Senior Manager

Intelligence and Counterterrorism

Texas Department of Public Safety

Kimberly.Jones@dps.texas.gov

512-424-5025

September 8, 9am -12pm, session 276372

Elementary Counselor Best Practice Institute

September 12, 9am -4pm, session 284185

Building Resilience: Growing a Systematic Campus SEL Program (Build Foundation and Create a Plan)

September 14, 9am -10am, session 276361

Counselor Zoom #1 (40 Developmental Assets)

September 15, 9am -12pm, session 276418

New Counselor Academy #1

September 20, 9am to 11am, session 278130

Safe and Healthy Schools Series and Office Hours (this is ongoing through the year)

September 21, 9am to 4pm, session 266810

Trauma-Sensitive Schools Training for Educators

September 23, 9am -4pm, session 290357, 290365

Behavior Threat Assessment

September 27, 12pm to 1pm, session 275102

School Board Human Trafficking

September 28, 9am -4pm, session 276468

504: The Basics

October 5, 9am-1pm with a Working Lunch, session 275083

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Online, On-Demand Courses

• Human Trafficking for Superintendents, session #252332
  
• Human Trafficking for School Boards, session #252323
• SB 11: The Omnibus School Safety Bill Canvas Course, session # 252334
• Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) & Support for Students Exposed to Trauma (SSET), session #257779

*Watch our live calendar at https://tinyurl.com/23d8cp2r

Training available to schedule on-site:

• Behavior Threat Assessment (to train your Threat Assessment/Safe and Supportive Schools Team)
• Behavior Threat Assessment TableTops (for your Threat Assessment/Safe and Supportive Schools Team to take an in-depth look at how your team operates and work through a case)
• Digital Responsibility & Social Media Safety (to train your students)
• True Colors (offered for students and staff as a team-building/self-awareness opportunity)
• AS+K Suicide Prevention (to train staff)
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (to train staff)
• Trauma-Sensitive Schools (to train staff)

*Contact us for pricing and to schedule.

1. From American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - National Suicide Prevention Week is September 4-10. Here are their resources to prepare (https://nspw.afsp.org/) with social media graphics, resources, personal stories, and a calendar of events.

2. NIJ shares:

• The Science of School Safety (https://justicetoday.buzzsprout.com/1861872/11161785-the-science-of-school-safety?utm_content=default&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery)
• 5 Facts about Mass Shootings in K-12 Schools (https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/305045.pdf)

3. The Campus Safety Magazine delivers:

• Their August 16, 2022 Newsletter (https://view.m.emeraldexpoinfo.com/?qs=40dd1fee74f3c1cb25872d4ecdcf7359f5160c96bf844fab1696f149415d507285b4d0e141df321d823da8c3bed6dc1c2c6f5130f0876bc5db09ead46f69e5f2a9ee689284aecd6b67b1495ac891b6a8)

4. The National School Safety Center presents:

• Trauma-Informed Tools to review your policies and procedures (https://docs.google.com/document/d/10pgCRjwNmfdHKQh7rFP6xkLDdHp2XrjK/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107245358668663559786&rtpof=true&sd=true)
• School Communities Toolkit (https://wecandothis.hhs.gov/resource/back-school-toolkit)
• School Safety Threats and Challenges 1-pager (https://www.schoolsafety.gov/sites/default/files/2022-08/SchoolSafety.gov%20Back%20to%20School%20Infographic_2022.pdf)
• Tools to enhance student resilience (https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/building-student-resilience-toolkit)
• SRO Video Series (https://youtu.be/PQEQelFnnOY)
• Engaging Youth in Violence Prevention On-Demand Webinar (https://www.nc2s.org/training/engaging-youth-in-violence-prevention/)
• What is School Safety Podcast? (https://www.nc2s.org/resource/what-is-school-safety/)
• Trauma-Informed Practices: Prevention and De-escalating Disruptive Behavior Webinar (https://www.nc2s.org/training/trauma-informed-practices-prevention-and-de-escalating-disruptive-behavior/)

5. Child Mind Institute presents:

• A Deeper Look at Anxiety in Kids (https://www2.childmind.org/webmail/908232/941358506/3d19582fbd7da27a922563a26f85318e751b1798be80be1d4e88a3e75878feae)

6. 3rd Millennium Classrooms presents the signs of vaping (https://7217673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7217673/Nicotine%20Use%20In%20The%20Classroom%20(1).pdf?utm_campaign=Secondary%20Subscription&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=223966924&_hsenc=p2ANqtz---mWUH0qO9b5owEZgRekqUuyydEdHeGIuUXm7rzu2Tt5p39lSDz-UWFIjbQxiQze7kOidWmzsjlHRbUsEf1r0KPr8FZA&utm_content=223966924&utm_source=hs_email)

7. Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) shares How to Integrate Artificial Intelligence with Existing Safety and Security Measures (https://mailchi.mp/passk12/how-to-integrate-ai-with-existing-safety-and-security-measures?e=afab500b42)

1. TEA has developed a new Safe and Supportive Schools Webpage. (https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/health-safety-discipline/safe-and-supportive-school-program)

2. The School Mental Health Database is live!! (https://schoolmentalhealthtxdatabase.org/)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DX7fkSdSQOsUAz7jCaTRnh1AkF6v1Hzf/view?usp=sharing

1. Register and Learn more

https://texasgoodbehaviorgame.org/

2. Check out this quick video

https://youtu.be/LShhtowDNbg

• Sigma's 8 Steps to Build a Threat Assessment Program (https://docs.google.com/document/d/10Hoz1LXHZUCcGsthf0z5lnWcYhzVUmCT/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107245358668663559786&rtpof=true&sd=true)
• Sigma's Full Threat Assessment and Case Management Worksheet (https://drive.google.com/file/d/10N-33VWCBbKLFjq989DXttvpe7kV3v5E/view?usp=sharing)
• Operationalizing School Behavioral Threat Assessment FAQs (https://drive.google.com/file/d/10N-33VWCBbKLFjq989DXttvpe7kV3v5E/view?usp=sharing)
• Threat Assessment Screening Tool (https://drive.google.com/file/d/10gRLQyn9b0cCWp2qzmeHaPgcAX2kSfNi/view?usp=sharing)
• 2022-2023 Safe and Supportive Schools Program Data Collection Questions (https://drive.google.com/file/d/10iC509TakQ0fixSv4vTgekONounAtKa5/view?usp=sharing)
• TxSSC Bullying Checklist (https://drive.google.com/file/d/10inKhJhCSP8fdzMtA8OidhPbCLk6hdiK/view?usp=sharing)
• TxSSC Fidelity of School Behavioral Threat Assessment Implementation Tool (https://drive.google.com/file/d/10ksZbcPcdFVv-BQ9NG6D_QofWyCYPByW/view?usp=sharing)
• US Secret Service Averting Targeted School Violence 2021 (https://drive.google.com/file/d/10lrmAvuKFj7VoE8chwp16O7BjqEo-_r7/view?usp=sharing)

Register Today for Fall Trainings

The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) is pleased to announce our 2022–2023 trainings. This fall we will launch several new trainings and workshops including Restorative Practices for Educators, Cybersecurity, Especially Safe: An Inclusive Approach to Safety Preparedness in Educational Settings, Trauma Informed Care – Elementary, Trauma Informed Care – Secondary, and Advanced Say Something, and we will continue legislatively mandated trainings on key school safety topics, including School Behavioral Threat Assessment.

The trainings are open to Texas public ISDs, open-enrollment charter schools, junior colleges, school-based law enforcement, and state agencies that support schools.

Our in-person trainings will be hosted in partnership with Regional Education Service Centers. All virtual trainings will be provided through the Zoom online meeting/webinar platform.

Register at https://txssc.txstate.edu/events/

1. 2022 National Threat Assessment Conference for Educational Institutions

October 10-13

Virginia Beach, VA

https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/content/2022-national-threat-assessment-conference-educational-institutions

2. Safe and Sound Schools' National Summit on School Safety

October 18

Virtual

https://safeandsoundschools.org/events/2022-national-summit-on-school-safety/

3. 7th National Student Safety and Security Conference and Workshop

October 26-28

Houston, Tx

www.insssc.com

4. DHS CISA National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security

November 1-3

Virtual

https://www.cisa.gov/national-school-safety-summit

5. Safe and Sound Schools and Region 10 ESC Dallas School Safety Summit

November 8-9

Dallas, TX

https://safeandsoundschools.org/events/dallas-school-safety-summit-2022/

1. Safety Audits

Public Schools should conduct a safety audit of facilities from September 2020 through August 2023.

Charter Schools should conduct a safety audit from September 2019 through August 2022.

2. District Audit Reports

At the culmination of the Safety Audit process, schools are required to submit a District Audit Report to the Texas School Safety Center.

The Public School expected deadline is August 2023.

The Charter School expected deadline is August 2022.

4. Threat Assessment/SSSP

The last collection period September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2022 was due in June 2022 by Qualtrics survey. TEA will send a Qualtrics survey to Superintendents to collect data.

This is a sample copy of the 21-22 SSSP Survey (https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/safe-and-supportive-school-program-update).

Required training for ALL SSSP Team Members, virtually or in-person through TxSSC or your ESC.

Recommended Digital Threat Assessment training for SSSP Team members through TxSSC and is offered virtually.

5. Emergency Operation Plans and Annexes

Can be requested at any time by TxSSC.

HB 3597 now allows TxSSC to request that schools submit safety-related MOUs and Mutual Aid Agreements.

6. Drill rules become effective - May 17, 2022

7. Bullying Report (New 87th Legislature)

PEIMS Summer Submission was due on June 16, 2022

TEC 48.009 (b-4)

Issue 2.6 of the MTSS Newsletter has some great information for classroom teachers, a book recommendation, and upcoming professional development. Please feel free to share the newsletter with your colleagues. You may access all previous issues for the 2021-2022 school year HERE. As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

--

Crystal Robinson, M.Ed.

Education Specialist

RTI, MTSS, 504

254-297-1217

www.esc12.net/sped

ESC Region 12 offers professional development, expert support and guidance in meeting Title IV, Part A state and federal requirements, including student access to a well-rounded education, school conditions for student learning improvements, and the use of technology to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students.

Suzanna Avalos, School Nurse Grant Coordinator

David Baker, ESC 12 Clinical Mental Health Liaison

Jeni Janek, Education Specialist III/Coordinator

Heather Wheeler, Education Specialist

Email: hwheeler@esc12.net
Website: esc12.net
Location: ESC Region 12, West Loop 340, Waco, TX, USA
Phone: 254-297-1166
Twitter: @R12SafeHealthy