On February 14th, 2018, a gunman opened fire at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing seventeen students and staff members and injuring several others. The tragic incident became the deadliest shooting ever reported at a high school sparking outrage and fear from parents, students, and educators across the United States. In reaction, school districts began looking critically at existing emergency preparedness protocols, hardening facilities, and analyzing systems of reporting and responding to threats and acts of violence.
To strengthen safety supports in our schools, Coronado Unified School District began soliciting feedback through surveys, community and student forums, and meetings with local law enforcement to address concerns and tighten security across Coronado. An outcome of our efforts was the establishment of the CUSD Safety Committee.
The committee, comprised of staff, parents, representatives from the Coronado Fire and Police Departments, students, and retired military personnel, met four times during the Spring of 2018. The team outlined three goal areas; emergency preparedness, social and emotional supports, and systems of communication. Committee members selected an area of focus within one of the three goal areas and ‘tiger teams’ were formed to make recommendations to staff.
Coronado Unified School District has taken action on a number of initiatives presented by the safety committee. Examples include the use of the Raptor Visitor Management System, hiring additional security staff and expanding Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) counseling, the purchase and installation of ‘LockBloks’, and facilitating Run, Hide, Fight, training for all CUSD staff.
The safety committee met this Fall to review efforts and look critically at how to strengthen current programs and supports.