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District

Safety Committee Meetings

  • 5/22/2019  |  8:30 AM


    Welcome & Reflection

    Santa Fe High School ~ Jordyn Boutwell, Speaker

    Review of Goals

    Safety continues to be a top priority in PISD.

    Updates

    • The metal detector screening teams have conducted screenings at all intermediate and high school campuses.
    • The next step in A.L.I.C.E. training will be to work with new teachers and substitutes.
    • Tabletop exercises have been conducted. Based upon feedback received, they will begin those drills earlier in the school year next fall.
    • Interagency planning and drills are underway. They are currently working through the logistics of handling the aftermath. They need to first account for the students and assess medical skills. They also need to work on developing a plan for agencies arriving on the scene and for accounting for students if they leave the scene.
    • Information was shared about students afforded opportunities for input regarding safety through the Superintendent Student Advisory Committee as well as serving on the district’s School Safety and Security Committee.
    • The district is currently working on a safety grant.
    • A student on the committee shared a campus experience where a student noticed an issue on social media and reported it which resulted in apprehension of the student before any potential harm could occur.
    • The I Love U Guys Foundation and Standard Reunification Method was discussed. 

    Dr. Parmer spoke about progress in school culture. District is providing ongoing training to and discussing a shared responsibility with administrators. Campuses are doing real work to alleviate issues with school climate and culture. Several examples were shared by campuses.

    • Sam Rayburn High School shared that students made their own A.L.I.C.E. video and gathered feedback. Discipline data is discussed at faculty meetings and connected to social emotional learning for students. The campus is utilizing BRT trainings, reminders in school announcements, baby chick comfort therapy, and a proactive approach to teaching life skills related to social emotional behavior.
    • Bondy Intermediate shared that a student organization for no bullying was created and a rule was created for no backpacks or lockers. She further added that administrators are visible in hallways at key times making and building connections with students while observing behavior and looking for warning signs.
    • Roberts Middle School shared that time was built in to their master schedule to allow for the first class each Monday to be dedicated to hands-on, engaging activities on topics such as internet safety, bullying, reaching out to others, and showing kindness. The last 30 minutes of each Wednesday is used for twenty-five (25) teacher sponsored clubs helping students and teachers to engage in positive ways.
    • Beverly Hills Intermediate shared that at the start of the year each student’s name was reviewed by faculty members to determine existing meaningful, positive connections and relationships. Students who needed to build relationships with teachers were targeted for approach. Furthermore, counselors reviewed progress of these relationships every month. Faculty also provided incentives for good behavior each six week period. Lessons were focused on teaching kids to treat each other with respect.

    Dr. Massey reviewed and solicited response from participants regarding the reunification process. Particulars discussed included personnel and positions, system set up, reunification card (suggested use for checkout at campuses to get parents familiar with process), pastoral care, and mental health stations. Input was received related to the possibility of developing an educational video related to the reunification process.

    In the Works/Continuing Progress

    • Threat Assessment Training for campus teams scheduled for June 2019.
    • Pilot program for CrisisGo will be implemented in Fall 2019.

    Feedback

    Positive feedback was provided related to a number of initiatives: A.L.I.C.E., Positive Climate & Culture, Positive Relationships with Community, Threat Assessment Training, Random Metal Detector Screenings, Conscious Discipline Training, BRT Assistance, PISD Police, Medical Emergency Response Teams, Safety Director, Interagency Drills, Blue Wave, CrisisGo, Reunification Plan, See Something Say Something, Facility Upgrades

    Areas of Opportunity for future growth included: Safety Ambassador program, safety audit process, full implementation of reunification, Brain State posters at each campus, A.L.I.C.E. training for all staff, parents and students, more mental health, include BRT members on Safety Committee
     

    Annual Review

    Reviewed safety items on annual School Audit Report including general safety items related to electrical wires, tripping hazards, OSHSA, door locks, and fire extinguishers. Also, addressed general first aid measures including tourniquets and defibrillators. Safety committee members are to communicate with Captain McMahan any safety related work order needs. (Secretary Note: Check possibility of adding “safety related” check box to School Dude work orders.) This year, much focus has been related to the violent aspect of safety. Next year, plans are to address multi-faceted, all hazard plans.

    Meeting was adjourned 11:30 p.m.

    10/29/2018  |  1:00 PM


    Welcome & Overview

    Team members and guests were introduced, welcomed, and thanked for their participation on the committee. Highlights from the September meeting were presented and a video was shown that focused on the Shared Responsibility/See Something Say Something initiative.

    Outcomes

    • Gain a greater understanding of the perception of safety from a students’ viewpoints
    • Provide input on priorities and next steps

    Student Perception of Safety

    District high school students participated in a town hall type setting to discuss their perception of safety at PISD schools. Questions were asked by the moderator and the committee members.

    Medical Emergency Response Team Overview

    April Weisedel, Chief Nursing Officer provided an overview of the initiatives taken to provide a trained Medical Emergency Response Team on each campus. She discussed the various types of medical emergencies that could arise and the impact of the MERT.

    Reunification Plan Overview

    Jamie Burt, Director for Student Services provided an overview of the reunification plan that has been developed in the event that students must be evacuated from their campus.  She shared the process for reunification including the relocation sites.

    Breakout Group Activities

    Small group discussions were conducted that concentrated on developing priorities and additional areas of need related to the following areas: 

    • Emergency Operation Plans
    • Threat Assessment Procedures
    • Police Initiatives
    • Facility Initiatives
    • Mental Health
    • Campus Culture
    • Medical Emergency Response Teams.

    Closing

    The district will work to develop next steps in the ongoing development of safe and secure schools plans. The meeting was adjourned 3:40 p.m. 

    9/21/2018  |  8:15 AM


    Welcome, Introductions, & Group Norms

    Team members were introduced, welcomed, and thanked for their participation on this committee. Group norms were discussed and feedback was encouraged throughout the process.

    Outcomes

    • Review the district’s safety protocols and processes
    • Provide feedback to enhance safety procedures and initiatives

    Overview of School Safety

    Safety is linked directly to our strategic plan.  Safety has been and will continue to be a priority in our district.  We are focusing our efforts on prevention, being prepared to respond in the event a crisis does occur and having steps in place to begin the recovery process on the crisis passes.   Pasadena ISD has utilized a comprehensive approach to safety that focuses not only on physical safety, such as a secure facility, but also psychological safety that comes from a safe and supportive environment.   

    PISD Facility Security Upgrades

    An overview of safety upgrades was provided which included: video surveillance camera expansions, electronic card access systems, exterior door hardware upgrades, security vestibules, bus fleet digital radio upgrades, intruder function hardware for interior classroom doors, security fencing, and reduced portable building inventory.  Group discussions were conducted pertaining to upgrades and needs.

    PISD Police Department

    Our district covers 85 square miles with over 70 schools and facilities located in the City of Pasadena, South Houston, Houston, Pearland, and Unincorporated Harris County.  Current initiatives include Metal Detector plans, Table Top Exercises with Principals, and A.L.I.C.E. training for staff members.   Group discussions were conducted pertaining to upgrades and needs.  Information was provided to the committee regarding the School Marshal Plan and the Guardian Plan and feedback was obtained.

    Mental Health

    The district employs at least one counselor at every school.  Additional support is provided through a Behavior Response Team, Licensed Specialists in School Psychology, Social Workers, On-Site Mental Health Supports, and Community Mental Health Partners.  A wide variety of programs and initiatives are utilized to create a positive campus culture such as Red Ribbon Week, Bully Prevention Month, Positive Behavior Interventions, Response to Intervention, Professional Learning Communities, and Conflict Resolution. School counselors and educators in PISD take preventative measures to create safe and inclusive school climates which increase positive supports in a student’s lives and work to identify at-risk students and performing threat assessments with key stakeholders. 

    Shared Responsibility

    School safety is a shared responsibility.  Creating a positive climate and campus culture enhances social and emotional well-being.  Several initiatives were highlighted such as See Something/Say Something, Start with Hello, Restorative Circles, and Student Connections.  

    Next Meeting Scheduled

    October 29, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.

    Meeting was adjourned 1:45 p.m.

    • Derek Duckett – Emergency Management Director
    • DeeAnn Powell – Superintendent
    • Troy McCarley- Deputy Superintendent
    • Alyta Harrell – Assoc Superintendent Campus Development
    • Joe Saavedra – Assoc Superintendent Campus Development
    • Jeremy Richardson – Assoc Superintendent Campus Development
    • Darla Massey-Jones – Assoc Superintendent Accountability and Compliance
    • Casey Phelan – Board of Trustees President
    • Kenny Fernandez – Board of Trustees
    • Bill McMahan – PISD Interim Chief of Police
    • Thomas Warnke – Pasadena Asst Chief of Police
    • April Weisedel – Chief Nursing Officer
    • Dalia Castillo - Parent
    • Michael Adams - Principal
    • Keonne Mcclain - Teacher
    • Karen McCarley – Counselor Director
    • Robin Harold – Counselor Coordinator
    • Gabriela Chapa Herrera – Threat Assessment Specialist
    • David Swan - Teacher
    • Andrea Zapata – Parent/Principal
    • Azell Carter – Pasadena Emergency Management Coordinator
    • Jennifer Stewart - Principal
    • Gary Warner - Teacher
    • Jennifer Sauceda - Principal