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 making school safety a top priority, CSI will work to ensure that CSI Schools comply with all statutory requirements and CSI policies related to school safety. Schools must annually submit to CSI a Safety, Readiness, and Incident Management Plan to ensure requirements are being met. The resources below provide helpful summary information on key topics.
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 Drills
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- Emergency Drill White Paper (CDFPC and CSSRC)
- Mitigating Psychological Effects of Lockdowns (NASP)
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.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with Community Partners
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- Memorandum of Understanding Training Instructions (REMS TA Center)
- Memorandum of Understanding Presentation (REMS TA Center)
- Memorandum of Understanding Resource List (REMS TA Center)
- District Sample – School Resource Officer Agreement (NASP)
- District Sample – School Resource Officer Program MOU (NASP)
- District Sample – Police Department and School Resource Officer Program Agreement (NASP)
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
- CSI Threat and Suicide Assessment Webinar Recording | Slides
- Essentials of School Threat Assessment: Preventing Targeted School Violence (CSSRC)
- Enhancing School Safety Using a Threat Assessment Model (USSS)
- Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide to Managing Threatening Situations and to Creating Safe School Climates (USSS and USDOE)
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.