The third week in October is designated as Safe Schools Week. The National School Safety Center (NSSC) sponsors the week as a national initiative in cooperation with local, state and national organizations who have a vested interest in student safety.
Recognized in Indiana and across the nation, the week focuses attention on keeping school campuses free of crime, violence, drug activity and other threats to school security as well as increasing student attendance.
“Schools that are safe and free of violence, weapons and drugs are necessary to ensure the well-being of all children and the quality of their education,” said Cliff Hackman, Hamilton Heights School Corporation Safety Coordinator. “Safety remains a top priority at Hamilton Heights every single day. Special recognitions to that give rise to the opportunity to talk more about safety and encourage continued awareness are as important as our day to day efforts.”
“National efforts like Safe Schools Week are an opportunity to share with parents and our community that true student safety is about raising awareness to change attitudes and behaviors, prevent injuries, increase student well-being and create an environment where employees and students alike are motivated and empowered,” explained Josh Ireland, a School Resource Officer serving Hamilton Heights Primary and Elementary Schools. Deputy Ireland is passionate about ensuring students have a safe and positive learning environment. “We pay close attention to our students’ behaviors, engage in age appropriate practice and preparation that helps students build skills, understanding, and confidence related to any type of safety threat.”
Deputy Jon Tindal, School Resource Officer for Hamilton Heights Middle School, said safety is a continuing, never-ending process that will take the efforts of all of us to keep moving forward to ensure our school environment is as safe and secure as possible. “Some of our inhouse initiatives include the addition of new technologies, training, and education of students and staff, building one on one relationships with students, conducting safety audits and inspections, promoting outreach efforts with local law enforcement agencies, and providing special safety programming throughout the year.”
“A culture of safety extends beyond school grounds,” added Deputy Brad Osswald, who has served Hamilton Heights High School as its School Resource Officer for more than a decade. Deputy Osswald, like Deputies Ireland and Tindal, have or had children who were students at Heights and are deeply committed to their role of educating preventing, and maintaining a safe learning environment. “We want parents and the community to know that we are doing everything humanly possible to ensure Hamilton Heights Schools are as safe as they can be. We encourage students, parents, and staff to stay alert and report anything suspicious, if someone is acting strange, and/or making comments about violence. Go with your gut feeling and if you see something, say something.“
“There are many resources available to continue the conversation at home and throughout the community,” noted Hackman, who encourages families to use this week as a starting point for a safety conversation and utilize the resources below to keep the conversation going.
Hackman continued, “If you have any specific incidents or concerns where you think the safety of our school environment has been compromised, please report it to a principal, school counselor, resource officer by calling the school direct or via our School Messenger Quick Tip at hhschuskies.org.”
The National Education Association has compiled a number of resources for educators to incorporate more safety learning into the classroom and for parents to work with their children at home.
StopBullying.Gov highlights a number of issues related to bullying at school and beyond including how to recognize and diffuse cyberbullying. The month of October is also Bullying Prevention Awareness Month.
Students Against Violence Everywhere (S.A.V.E.) is using Safe Schools Week to forward their #SaySomething campaign which reinforces the power young people have to prevent tragedies and save lives when they Say Something to a trusted adult.