Dickinson ISD Preventative Safety Measures  (Download the document - click here)

Safety is foundational for learning, and in DISD, 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 ten Galveston County School Resource Officers to provide support at our middle school, junior high, and high school campuses.
House Bill 3, approved during the 88th Legislative Session, requires at least one-armed security officer during regular school hours at each district campus. DISD is currently working to meet this requirement, and updated information will be provided as soon as possible.

ALERRT (Advance Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training)

All deputies within the school liaison division have received tactical training.

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.

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 1,900 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.

PORTABLE BUILDINGS

Classrooms located in portable buildings will follow the same procedures as classrooms within the building. Safety practices for DISD portable instructional buildings also include locking systems to secure all doors from the inside, fencing to restrict access, signage reinforcing access is only allowed through the campus main entrance, telephones, audible communications, skirting and underpinning, and cameras for surveillance and monitoring.

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.

K9 DRUG DOG

The district has access to the use of a K9 unit through our contract with the Galveston County Sheriff’s office. This unit is used at random during the school year inside campuses and on parking lots.

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.

VIOLENT ACTIVITY NOTIFICATION

House Bill 3, approved during the 88th Legislative Session, requires districts to provide notice to parents of violent activity that has occurred or is being investigated at a school campus or school-sponsored activity where their child attends. We will begin this requirement after the TEA develops and provides districts with the model standards for providing notice.

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), 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

Cybersecurity

CISCO DUO MFA (Multi Factor Authentication)
Starting in September, we are implementing a new security solution that adds an extra layer of protection, enhances security, and prevents phishing attacks. It will require an app-based verification method to safeguard sensitive data.

CROWDSTRIKE

This cybersecurity program provides advanced thread protection, detection, and response to guard against potential security breaches.

Mental and Behavioral Health

DISD GATOR WELLNESS CENTER

The Gator Wellness Center is a holistic approach dedicated to the mental and emotional 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.

DISD MENTAL HEALTH REQUEST

The DISD webpage has a mental health request form that parents can fill out and submit. It will be routed to the campus counselor for immediate assessment.

SOCIAL WORKERS

The district employs two social workers to assist students and families in need throughout the district.

CERTIFIED SCHOOL COUNSELORS

DISD employs 26 professional school counselors to meet students’ counseling needs.

EDUCATIONAL DIAGNOSTICIANS

The district employs eight diagnosticians, who oversee the assessment and evaluation of students with learning difficulties or disabilities. Their primary responsibility is to conduct comprehensive assessments to identify and understand students’ unique learning needs, challenges, and strengths.

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.

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS (formerly – LSSP – Licensed Specialists in School Psychology)

The district employees nine school psychologists who 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 is located at every DISD campus. Two CIS Support Specialists are located at Dickinson High School.

MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS