The safety of our students is our top priority, both in our schools and online.

Working hand-in-hand with our local first responders we have developed protocols for a variety of safety and security events, which are reviewed annually. Our staff complete annual training, and we conduct multiple drills throughout the year. In partnership with our local law enforcement, we have three dedicated police officers in our schools through the School Resource Officer program. Each summer, we review security infrastructure at each school.

For the safety and security of our staff and students, and per the recommendation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, it is not advised to release the detailed plans and protocols.

School Safety

• Standard Response Protocol: We utilize the i love u guys Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol. This protocol provides common language and training to school districts across the country.

• Drills and Exercises: We regularly work with our local first responders to ensure the readiness of our school personnel and law enforcement for preparation, response, and after action related to preparedness for a variety of safety and security situations. This work includes drills and training for our staff, as well as students.

• Secured Entrances: With the 2016 bond, we were able to secure vestibule entrances at all buildings, as well as a system that can put the building into a secure condition and/or lockdown situations.

• Visitors: All visitors must sign in at the front office before accessing the school and are checked via the RAPTOR system. Regular volunteers go through a more in-depth background check prior to their volunteer time. All outside entities wanting access to the building must get prior approval from administration.

• Security Cameras: All schools have exterior video cameras. Our middle school and high schools have security cameras throughout campus.

• ID Cards: All Weld RE-4 staff members, as well as Windsor High School and Severance High School students, are required to wear a school / department ID card. The card must be in a visible location above the waist, worn on a lanyard or a badge holder clipped to the shirt.

• School Resource Officers: Through a partnership with the Windsor and Severance Police Departments, we have three dedicated School Resource Officers at our school buildings. These officers are specially trained to work with students and know the school buildings inside and out. High schools have a dedicated officer, while middle and elementary schools share officers who visit on a regular and randomized basis.

• Safety Task Force: The Safety and Security Department hosts a Safety Task Force comprised of community members, staff, and law enforcement / first responders. This group is providing important feedback on our current and future safety initiatives, including those recommended in this fall’s safety audit.

Online Safety

Staying safe online is an important concern for our students, parents, and staff. Internet safety is not just limited to online predators; some of the other concepts that come to mind include:

• Cyberbullying
• Identity theft
• Social networking
• Cyber ethics

To help keep students and staff safe, we utilize a state-of-the-art web filter solution to secure our network from external content that is obscene or pornographic. However, technology cannot solve the problem on its own; we believe that online safety is a partnership that must happen between the schools and parents. We encourage families to educate students about their responsibilities and establish expectations on technology use.