School Safety
School Safety - creating a safe learning environment
Auditing Schools for Safety
State legislation passed in 1997 directs school boards to require all schools in Virginia to conduct safety audits. This audit is designed to assess the safety conditions in each public school to identify and, if necessary, develop solutions for physical safety concerns.
A safety audit covers the following areas:
- Safety and Security of Buildings and Grounds
- Development and Enforcement of Policies
- Procedures for Data Collection
- Development of Intervention and Prevention Plans
- Level of Staff Development
- Opportunities for Student Involvement
- Level of Parent and Community Involvement
- Role of Law Enforcement
- Development of Crisis Management Plans
- Standards for Safety and Security Personnel
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Emergency Response Plans
In addition, the audit must be a written assessment and each school must maintain a copy of the audit report in the principal’s office. The school is also required to make a copy of the audit available for review upon written request.
School Safety Audit Protocol - a guide to the audit process (.pdf)
Questions & Answers to help schools prepare for a school safety audit
Playground Safety
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS)
School Safety Exit Drills
In Virginia public schools, fire drills are held once a week during the first 20 school days of each school session, and more often if necessary, and then once a month for the rest of the school session.
School Safety Exit Drill Form (.pdf)
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