San Elijo Middle School

School Safety Assurance Letter

Comprehensive Safety Plan
Principal’s Safety Assurance Statement

Welcome to San Elijo Middle School,

The 2019 – 2020 Comprehensive Safety Plan for San Elijo Middle School (SEMS) has been developed to ensure all sixth through eighth grade students are safe on campus. This plan is relevant to the needs of our multi-age student population as well as the resources of the school. The plan was written in conjunction with the school improvement council and was approved at a general meeting. Local law enforcement and city officials were consulted during the development of the plan and the approval process to assist the administration in designing safety, disaster, behavior, and reporting plans for a site serving over 1720 middle school students. Our plan contains both longitudinal data and information regarding transportation, discipline, and student safety concerns.

As directed by California Education Code and Senate Bill 187, Chapter 736, three essential components were addressed while writing the comprehensive plan. The components are listed below along with the strategies currently implemented at San Elijo Middle School to ensure all components are met.

We continue to work as a community to ensure students are performing at the highest level possible.

- Disaster plan, procedures, and safety drills are designed and rehearsed to ensure the safety of all students in the event of a disaster, fire, or armed intruder.Special details were considered due to the two story school design and exterior stairwells.A new focus on Options-Based Response (OBR) to threats on campus have been designed and discussed with staff.
- California Education Code and SMUSD board policies regarding behavior, suspension, and expulsion are communicated to students, parents, and staff via parent handbooks, discipline assemblies, and staff development.The automated phone system allows us to communicate with the entire learning community as does the school website.All policies and procedures are uploaded onto the website.
- Mandated reporting policies on child abuse, dangerous students, and sexual harassment are presented verbally and in written form to all members of the staff prior to the school year.All staff signs an annual notification noting they have received information on mandated reporting procedures.
- School discipline plans are communicated to students during opening week assemblies to provide 6-8 grade students an understanding of the school rules as well as positive and negative consequences.
- Visitor policies are communicated and logs are maintained to protect the safety of all students.Student checkout procedures are clearly posted for anyone picking up a child from school prior to dismissal.The gates on campus are kept closed during the majority of the school day.
- Evacuation procedures are posted on the school website to assist parents in the case of a local emergency.
- Emotional assistance is provided to those students determined by the RTI intervention to be at risk.Each of our counseling intervention programs allows us to group students with specific needs and provide a forum for them to develop coping strategies.The school psychologist and school counselor work in conjunction with the administration to meet the needs of the learning community.
- Student awards foster kindness, manners, and citizenship.
- Students at San Elijo Middle School are encouraged to check their behavior to be sure it is kind, safe, honest, how they would like to be treated, and always includes appropriate dress and language for school.
- Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) program instituted to help foster a welcoming environment for all, focusing on incoming 6th grade students.
- Red Ribbon Week activities stress drug awareness and a commitment to remain drug free.Assemblies reinforce this ideal.
- Grade level meetings and release days allow teachers to collaborate to plan instruction and assessment to meet the needs of all learners.
- Multiple assessments are utilized by teachers and staff to determine the appropriate instructional level for all students.The counseling office uses multiple criteria to place students in advanced or remedial language arts and math classes in grades 6-8.
- ASB and student council fosters student involvement and shared decision-making.
- The Leadership Team meets regularly to ensure students’ safety, emotional, and academic needs at each grade level are addressed and that the school climate is one of shared leadership.