Visalia Unified hones in on student safety before the first day of school
Visalia Unified administrators were at Denton Elementary School’s cafeteria Monday, to review potentially dangerous scenarios and responsibilities.
Visalia officer George Weaver led the conversation, guiding teachers through numerous instances, ultimately asking them:
What would you do in this situation?
“We have to think of the safety of the masses,” Weaver said to teachers. “Think about what you have to do, and who we are responsible to.”
He walked teachers through multiple scenarios ranging from a suspicious person at school to shots being fired on campus.
In groups, administrators discussed what their responsibilities would be during the proposed situation, while teachers reviewed what their immediate response would be.
Police officers also joined in on the discussion, helping Visalia Unified employees navigate through each scene.
"A lot of people are afraid that what happened at Uvalde is going to happen here,” one teacher said to Weaver in response to a proposed scenario. “I don’t see myself sitting and waiting” (for police to arrive), another said.
Teachers and administrators receive this type of training on an annual basis, Equity and Student Services Administrator Brandon Gridiron said. Monday was one of the first times the district has been able to host a large, in person training since the pandemic.
“What we’re facing today is different than what was happening two, three, even five years ago,” Superintendent Kirk Shrum said. “Kids really realize the gravity of sharing those kinds of things.”
Since joining the Visalia Unified team in July, Shrum has added two positions to the district in order to strengthen school safety, including a coordinator for safety and security, as well as a coordinator for conduct and prevention.
The district is also looking at investing in a notification system to build “consistent practices” across campuses, Shrum added. He stressed the importance of communicating with families and the community during potential situations like this.
Some of the safety practices already in place at Visalia Unified include:
Every school is a closed campus and student arrivals and exits are controlled throughout the school day.
Teachers and administrators wear identification badges while on campus.
Each school site has an overnight security officer for 24-hour monitoring.
The district also offers psychological services to students at any time during the school day, and psychologists are available to meet after school with staff members.
Even following Monday's practice, Gridiron reminded employees the district also has psychological services available to them.
To report instances of harassment, discrimination, bullying, hate-motivated behavior, and or potential threats to school or student safety, call 730-7999.
Students can also file a report in Powerschool using the "student reporting system."
“If you see something, say something. It’s simple but profound,” Shrum said. “We will be as prepared as we can be for hopefully something we will never have to do.”
Lauren Jennings covers education and news for the Visalia Times-Delta/Tulare Advance-Register. Follow her on Twitter @lolojennings. Get alerts and keep up on all things Tulare County for as little as $1 a month. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Visalia Unified hones in on student safety before the first day of school
