Blount County Schools Commitment to Safety
School Safety has been and continues to be critical issues in the lives of students, educators, parents, families and community members. There is a growing concern over the safety of our students due to recent national school incidents of violence. Educators are less able to provide effective instruction in an environment that is perceived to be unsafe. While students are under the supervision of school personnel, the only priority that surpasses educating the children is keeping them safe. Therefore, it is imperative that the Blount County School System make every effort to ensure the safety of our students and those that teach them.
It is our goal and commitment to provide a safe and secure learning environment that will foster academic achievement and positive community and parental relationships. Our foremost priority is the safety of our students and faculty.
We promote and encourage:
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Academic achievement
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Family/parental involvement
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Open discussion of safety issues
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Treating others with respect
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Open communication between students, faculty and parents
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Character education
The list below includes but is not limited to the Emergency and Safety Preparedness action steps that Blount County Schools have implemented to ensure that schools are as safe as possible.
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Emergency Operations Plans that integrate ongoing positive climate and safety efforts with crisis prevention, preparedness, response and recovery to ensure that crisis training and plans:
a.
Relevant to the school context
b.
Reinforce learning
c.
Make maximum use of existing staff and resources
d.
Facilitate effective threat assessment
e.
Are consistently reviewed and practiced
f.
Professional development training for all staff at the beginning of school
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School Resource Officers
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School Nurses
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District Wide Social Worker and school counselors
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Coordination with local mental health agencies
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National Emergency Management System Compliance
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Monthly Fire, Severe Weather and Code Red Drills
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District-Wide Emergency Calling System
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Internet Based Surveillance Systems in High Schools
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Coordination with local EMA and community police and emergency agencies
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Crisis Response Teams
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Effective, Positive School Discipline
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Medical Emergency Teams (MERT)
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Locked Entrances and Camera Systems
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Employee Picture Identification Badges
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Visitor Badges RaptorWare Check In System
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Maintaining Virtual Alabama
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Safe and Drug Free Programs
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Too Good for Drugs
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No Bullying: Stop the Bullying
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Board Policies
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Discipline
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Bullying, Harassment, Cyberstalking, Cyberbullying Discrimination
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Drug
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Weapon