Dickinson ISD

Preventative Safety Measures

Safety is foundational for learning, and inDISD, it is a district goal to provide a physically and emotionally safe, healthy, and equitable environment. The DISD District Safety and Security Committee meets during each school year to review district needs and data, state-required procedures, safety products, and software. They also make recommendations for safety and security improvements.  To provide the safest learning environment possible, the following safety and security measures are in place in DISD. 

Protection and Safety
ARMED SECURITY OFFICERS

DISD has 14 Galveston County Deputies as School Liaison Officers to provide support at our district campuses. We have an additional two deputies at our Coastal Alternative Program. 

ALERRT (Advance Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training)

All deputies within the School Liaison Division have received tactical training. The district provides access to our campuses for local law enforcement to provide this training for first responders. 

SECURITY MONITORS

Dickinson High School has four security monitors during the school day. They are responsible for monitoring hallways, restrooms, interior/exterior doors, parking lots, and security cameras. The security monitors also assist law enforcement when called upon. 

LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERSHIPS

Local law enforcement agencies actively participate on our Safety and Security Committee. They are given access to our campuses for any training needs they may have, including emergency response. All law enforcement personnel are welcome on DISD campuses for purposes of visitation or performing duties. 

SECURITY VESTIBULES

All campuses have vestibules with ballistic window film, a transaction window, and controlled access to the building. 

ENTRY ACCESS

The main front door at each campus is the only door that will remain unlocked during the school day.  All exterior doors must remain locked during the school day, and all classroom doors must be kept locked when they are occupied with students.  Door sweeps will occur weekly at each campus to ensure doors are kept locked. 

VISITOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

DISD uses the Raptor system at all campuses to monitor and verify visitor ID’s and check for sex offenders. The program prints a badge with the visitor’s name, picture, date, and time. The badges make it easier for staff to identify campus visitors. No one will be allowed to visit a DISD facility without identification, and only parents/guardians listed in Skyward will be allowed access. 

STANDARD RESPONSE PROTOCOL K12 EXTENDED

DISD adopted the protocols developed by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation, as well as the protocol toolkit located on the Texas School Safety Center website. All employees and students are trained on how to use this protocol. 

CAMPUS EMERGENCY GUIDES

All campuses have individually developed emergency plans designed specifically for their schools. The guides include drill planning, emergency shut down procedures, and communications. 

EMPLOYEE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES GUIDE

Updated guides are available for all employees to address emergency situations outside of the Standard Response Protocol. This guide includes a list of best safety practices including teachers keeping classroom doors always locked and Avoid, Deny, Defend instruction. Administrators and teachers receive training prior to the start of school with updates during the school year.  

SHARE 911

Share911 is our Emergency communication platform, empowering teachers to report incidents and share real-time information during critical situations. With their login and the app on their phones, teachers can swiftly respond to emergencies, enhancing overall security measures.  Share 911 uses the Standard Response Protocols from the I Love U Guys Foundation. 

SECURITY CAMERAS

Over 2,500 camera lenses monitor our campuses, and additional cameras will be added as recommended. Law enforcement and campus administrators have access to all cameras on their campus. All buses have security cameras. 

TELEPHONES

All classrooms have phones that allow teachers to call the office in case of emergency. The phones can call other rooms and outside numbers as well. All phones are 911 enabled. 

MOTION DETECTORS/ALARM SYSTEMS

All campuses have motion detectors and monitored alarm systems to detect entry and notify campus administration and law enforcement when district facilities are not in use. 

RADIOS

Key campus personnel have upgraded radios to facilitate communication on campuses. These radios also allow school personnel to communicate with our Galveston County Student Resource Officers. 

THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAMS

Each campus has a multidisciplinary Threat Assessment Team trained to utilize SIGMA Threat Management.  These teams identify, assess, and address threats to the campus.  Parent notice will be given before doing a threat assessment of a student, parents can participate in the assessment either in person or remotely, and findings and conclusions of the team will be provided to the parent upon completion. 

CAMPUS SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOL TEAM

Each school has a Safe and Supportive School Team comprised of parents and staff to address the needs and concerns of the campus. Committees encourage parent involvement in school safety and help with the safety audit.  

ADMINISTRATOR TRAINING

Appropriate administrators have training in NIMS (National Incident Management Systems) and ICS (Incident Command System) to facilitate emergency response. Training for district and campus administrators includes the Standard Response Protocol K12 Extended developed by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation and CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events). 

STAFF TRAINING (including substitute teachers)

All teachers are trained in the Standard Response Protocol K12 Extended developed by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation, including secure, lockdown, evacuate, shelter, and hold. 

STUDENT TRAINING

All students are trained in the Standard Response Protocol K12 Extended developed by the “I Love U Guys” foundation. Posters are in every classroom, and parent information is available in the Student Handbook and on the district website. 

STOP THE BLEED TRAINING

DISD employees are trained in Stop the Bleed, basic actions to stop life threatening bleeding, and Stop the Bleed kits are located at all district facilities. 

STUDENT DRILLS (Mandatory)

The following drills are required: fire drills(obstructed/unobstructed) as required by our municipalities, secure drill (1), lockdown drill (1 per semester), evacuation drill (1 per month), shelter-in-place for hazmat drill (1), shelter for severe weather drill (1), and hold (1).  Campuses must schedule these required drills prior to the start of the school year. 

ANONYMOUS BULLYING/THREAT REPORTING

DISD contracts with P3 Campus to provide a method to report anonymous tips relating to school safety. Reports can be made through a mobile app or via a web browser. Information about P3 Campus is available on each campus website.  Anonymous tips are available to administrators and law enforcement. 

INTERNAL MEDIA MONITORING

DISD has a contract with Gaggle to monitor district internal digital media including Google mail and Google Drive in real time for inappropriate content, threats, bullying, and suicidal ideation. 

CRIME STOPPERS

Crime Stoppers is a peer driven program to reduce weapons and drug violations on campus and increase safety awareness. Students are oriented each year as to how to report emergency situations and staff are trained in dealing with student information and confidentiality. This program encourages students to confide potentially dangerous situations to the proper authority. The number to call for Crime Stoppers is: 281-229-STOP 

Mental and Behavioral Health

DISD GATOR WELLNESS CENTER

The Gator Wellness Center is a holistic approach dedicated to the mental and emotion wellness of students, families, and staff. The GWC is located at McAdams Junior High and is available by appointment. Amy Cmaidalka, Social Emotional Learning Specialist, oversees the Center and provides training and materials for DISD staff and families. 

CERTIFIED SCHOOL COUNSELORS

DISD employs  professional school counselors on every campus to meet students’ counseling needs. 

LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS (LPC)

DISD has two LPCs responsible for providing Counseling as a Related Educational Service to students who receive Special Educational Services and Supports through an ARD or 504 committee. 

LICENSED SPECIALISTS IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY (LSSP)

The district employees nine Licensed Specialists in School Psychology. LSSP’s help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community for all students. Their training emphasizes preparation in mental health and educational interventions, child development, learning, behavior, motivation, curriculum and instruction, assessment, consultation, collaboration, school law, and systems.  

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS

DISD has Student Support Specialists through a partnership with Communities in School - Bay Area to provide services for at-risk students. A CIS Support Specialist are located at designated DISD campuses.  Two CIS Support Specialists are located at Dickinson High School. 

MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Family Service Center of Galveston County –DISD has five mental health counselors to provide mental health counseling support to students and families. 

UTMB Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) – This organization offers school-based telemedicine service that provides access to behavioral health services.  UTMB also provides the Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) program for grades 7-12. 

Gulf Coast Center – This organization support campuses with crisis response, care coordination, and suicide prevention. 

DePelchin – This organization supports families with parenting support and training. 

Innovative Alternatives – This organization provides free counseling to students and families that qualify.  Families are provided with Innovative Alternatives information if they are a survivor or witness of a crime or any kind of abuse

Community Health Network – This partnership is in Coordination with Communities in Schools and will provide counseling services for students. 

3 Strands Global/Project Protect Our Children - This organization provides training and curriculum for human trafficking awareness and prevention. 

BEHAVIOR COACHES

Every elementary, middle, and junior high campus has one professional educator who has received specialized training to serve as a behavior coach. Dickinson High School has three behavior coaches. We also have several self-contained behavior units for students who need this level of support. All behavior coach staff are trained annually and certified in non-violent crisis intervention with the philosophy of providing the best “care, welfare, safety, and security” for students exhibiting crisis behaviors. All behavior coaches are also trained in trauma-informed care and mental health awareness. 

NONVIOLENT CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINERS

DISD has certified instructors who provide training in nonviolent crisis intervention. 

BACODA PARTNERSHIP

Bay Area Council on Drug Awareness provides health-related information and training on drugs and alcohol. 

SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION

Hope SQUAD’s, a school-based, peer-to-peer suicide prevention program will be implemented on middle school, junior high, and high school campuses.  

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Gizmo’s Awesome Guide to Mental Health program, will be implemented on elementary campuses.  

Physical Health

GATOR HOPE CLINIC

DISD employs a Physician’s Assistant in cooperation with Houston Physician’s Hospital. She provides immediate medical care for students, immunizations, and medical management of chronic conditions.  

CAMPUS HEALTH CLINICS

DISD employs Registered Nurses who provide daily nursing services to students on each campus.  

UTMB PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANTS

DISD serves as the intern site for UTMB medical doctors as part of their rotation.  Doctors are present on our campus monthly and provide assessment and other services. 

Relational and Instructional

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

M.I. Lewis Social Service Center provides food, school supplies, and other necessities to our students and families throughout the year.

Bay Area Assistance League provides clothing for students in need through Operation School Bell. 

Galveston County Food Bank provides weekend food provisions for identified families 

UTMB provides consultation and diagnostic assistance to the Special Programs Assistance Team. 

COMMUNITY MENTORS

Military – DHS has promoted the presence of military recruiters on the campus on a weekly basis. 

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program mentors at DHS, KJH, DJH, and MJH provide weekly academic tutoring. AVID teaches critical thinking skills and supports student success through engaging, rigorous, and student-centered learning.  

Higher Up Texas (HUT) works with students at Dickinson High School enrolled in AVID, CTE Health Science, and CTE Auto Tech programs.  HUT is provided two hours per week and teaches the tools and skills needed for adulthood.  After HUT students graduate high school, they continue into HUT 2, a support system for navigating adulthood and its challenges. 

Communities in Schools (CIS) provides their GROW Mentor Program with case-managed students.