School Safety
CSI recognizes that effective learning and teaching takes place in a safe, secure, and welcoming environment, and that safe schools contribute to improved attendance, increased student engagement, and community support. Consistent with CSI’s commitment to school safety, CSI ensures that all CSI schools comply with applicable laws as well as CSI Board Policies, including the Safe Schools Policy and Crisis Management Policy. As part of this commitment, each school must annually submit a comprehensive Safety, Readiness, and Incident Management Plan (Emergency Operations Plan) to CSI to demonstrate compliance with these policies and preparedness requirements. The resources below provide helpful summaries and guidance on key school safety topics to support schools in meeting these expectations.
Colorado Safe Schools Act
CSI schools must create specific policies and procedures related to student conduct, discipline and school safety (C.R.S. 22-32-109.1). Among other things, this must include establishing a Safe School Plan that addresses student conduct and discipline and a School Response Framework that addresses emergency management.
Claire Davis School Safety Act
The Claire Davis School Safety Act imposes a limited waiver of sovereign immunity for a school that fails to exercise “reasonable care” to protect all students, faculty, and staff from “reasonably foreseeable” acts of violence that occurs at school or a school-sponsored activity.
Emergency Operations Planning
CSI schools must create and regularly update a School Safety, Readiness and Incident Management Plan (also known as an Emergency Operations Plan) that addresses emergency preparedness and responses to threats.
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- CSI Emergency Operations Plan Checklist [docx]
- Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans (USDOE et. al.) [pdf]
- Sample School Emergency Operations Plan (FEMA) [pdf]
- School Safety Readiness and Incident Management Plan Outline (CSSRC) [pdf]
- Comprehensive School Safety Planning Elements Checklist (CSSRC) [docx]
Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with Community Partners
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- Memorandum of Understanding Training Instructions (REMS TA Center) [pdf]
- Memorandum of Understanding Presentation (REMS TA Center) [pdf]
- Memorandum of Understanding Resource List (REMS TA Center) [pdf]
- District Sample – School Resource Officer Agreement (NASP) [pdf]
- District Sample – School Resource Officer Program MOU (NASP) [pdf]
- District Sample – Police Department and School Resource Officer Program Agreement (NASP) [pdf]
Site Assessments
As part of their school safety planning, CSI schools should have procedures in place that address the supervision and security of school buildings and grounds. Schools should conduct periodic site assessments to identify and address physical safety concerns.
Threat Assessments
As part of their school safety planning, CSI schools should have procedures in place to identify and manage concerning behaviors among the staff and students.
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- Threat and Suicide Assessment Guidance [docx]
- CSI Threat and Suicide Assessment [slides] [recording]
- Essentials of School Threat Assessment: Preventing Targeted School Violence (CSSRC) [pdf]
- Enhancing School Safety Using a Threat Assessment Model (USSS) [pdf]
- Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide to Managing Threatening Situations and to Creating Safe School Climates (USSS and USDOE) [pdf]
Looking for More?
- See SchoolSafety.gov for school safety strategies and federal resources.
- See the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center (REMS TA Center) website for additional resources and training opportunities.
- See the Colorado School Safety Resource Center (CSSRC) website for additional resources and training opportunities.