School Safety Systems in Salem-Keizer Public Schools

Learn about safety protocols and emergency procedures implemented in all Salem-Keizer schools. Safety and security staff and district leadership were joined by local and state law enforcement agency partners to share information with the community. This was one of three safety sessions held this year about student safety in our schools. The other two sessions held were Student Voices, We All Belong and Social Media and Online Safety.

At Salem-Keizer Public Schools, the safety of our students is our absolute top priority. Below are resources and information on the safety and security systems in place across the district.

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Families and Educators (English)

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (English)

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (Spanish)

Web articles

• Talking to Children About Tragic Events
• Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News

Oregon Public Broadcasting radio interview

Courtenay McCarthy, a school psychologist at the Salem-Keizer school district, explains how the Salem-Keizer program works and the impact it’s having in Salem and beyond.

• Oregon school district pioneered a system to prevent school shootings

Fake fentanyl

Oregon has lost several students to fentanyl in the last few years. Linked below are fact sheets to help educate students, parents and the community about the dangers of fake pills made from deadly fentanyl. Learn more

• How to Keep Children Safe (PDF)
• Fentanyl Factsheet for Oregon (PDF)

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support

Our children in today’s world have unique emotional and behavioral needs unlike anything we have seen before. This is not unique to Salem-Keizer. Schools across the country are seeing similar needs for support of students. At Salem-Keizer, we work to address the needs of our students through Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. These systems allow us to provide the right support for each student to address their emotional, behavioral, mental, and academic needs.

Behavioral Threat Assessment

Our team of specialists partners with agencies across Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties to identify students who may be exhibiting indicators of extreme aggression toward others, and we provide wraparound services like safety planning and mental health support to address those students’ needs.

Salem-Keizer’s behavioral threat assessment system is used by other school districts around the country. Below are some recent discussions in the media that provide a description of how our system works.

• PBS Newshour: Researchers look for ways to identify young people who are on the ‘pathway to violence’
• NPR: Interview with author examining behavioral patterns

Partnering with Law Enforcement

We work side by side with the Keizer Police Department, Salem Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office both in and out of our schools. When any concern for our school’s safety or a threat is reported, they move swiftly to investigate. It is very important to talk with children about the consequences of making any type of threat, which can range from a minimum of disciplinary action at school to criminal charges.

You can learn more about our school safety systems and procedures, including collaboration with our local law enforcement partners by viewing our recent safety series webinar.

SafeOregon

Salem-Keizer Public Schools is an active member of SafeOregon, which gives kids, parents, schools, and community members a confidential way to report safety threats or potential acts of violence. Managed by the Oregon State Police, this program has proven to prevent acts of violence. I encourage you to download the mobile app on your phone, and on your child’s phone as well. You can also call or text 844-472-3367 anytime.

COVID-19 Dashboard

When a positive case of COVID-19 is identified within the school setting, we work closely with the local public health authority to ensure that the person diagnosed with COVID-19 follows instructions for isolation and remains away from others until they can safely return to school.

Families will receive a weekly notification on Saturdays about COVID-19 cases in schools with a link to this dashboard.

Improving safety and security through capital improvements

The 2018 bond program is improving safety and security across the district. Thirty-six of our schools are receiving renovations to the front entry to improve the office staff’s ability to monitor and control who enters the front entrance. Most of those improvements will be in the form of a secured check-in space at the front entry. Schools are also receiving upgrades to electronic badge access systems and to intercom systems, which will be able to send messages directly into classrooms.