ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by defining a safe school and highlights current statistics pertaining to a variety of events that can impact school safety. Part of establishing a safe school is to prevent a crisis from happening in the first place or in those incidences where a crisis cannot be prevented (i.e., natural disasters), to be prepared to respond to the crisis in order to mitigate the negative impact. Teachers and students are the “front lines” to establishing a safe school environment, and a mechanism for confidential reporting when a safe school culture is being compromised is a critical component to safe schools. Establishing a safe school climate includes prevention efforts in addition to planning and preparing for a potential crisis or emergency utilizing a multi-phase, multi-hazard, multi-agency, and multi-tiered approach. Therefore, K. A. Bailey recommends providing an overview of school safety plans in board meetings, school newsletters, and other outreach efforts to heighten awareness and knowledge of school security efforts.
