School safety is always a priority, even when school is out for the summer.
At press time, the Republican-led budget negotiations were leaving the level of funding for the Democrat-run Department of Justice Office of School Safety (OSS) uncertain.
However, school safety is still a top priority, regardless of how vigorously state government is funding it. Here are some helpful resources for staff training for next school year for keeping your students safe:
Resources
- Save this video from the National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) of the Secret Service to review with your staff. Based on the NTAC’s recent “Averting Targeted School Violence” report, the video outlines identifiable behavior patterns, key findings and best practices to keep schools secure. The video is 16 minutes long. Start it at the 2:20 minute mark.
- The NTAC also released a K-12 Bystanders Reporting Toolkit to help schools foster an environment where students and staff feel safe reporting safety concerns. Read it here.
Reminders
- If your school uses the OSS Speak Up, Speak Out (SUSO) tipline, ensure your school’s contacts are updated for next school year. Outdated information could result in a slower response to tips at your school. Update contacts here.
- Schools can be reimbursed up to $1,000 per school building for SUSO promotional materials. The items help promote the tipline at your school so students know where they can turn with confidential concerns. View available items here. If you’re interested in rolling out SUSO at your school, contact OSS.
- Digital mapping grants are still available. Digital maps of school buildings can be used instead of blueprints in a school’s statutorily required Jan. 1 annual safety submission. Over $1.5 million was added to the grant program in March. Learn more here.
- OSS Consultants are available to help your school complete its required annual Jan. 1 school safety submission. To schedule a virtual consultation, send a message to schoolsafety@doj.state.wi.us.
