As we embark on a new school year, we would like to take this opportunity to share our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and staff within our school district. Your trust and partnership are essential in maintaining a secure and conducive learning environment. We believe that open communication and understanding are key components of our collective efforts to keep our campuses safe.
Communication During On-Campus Activity
In the event of any activity on our campuses, rest assured that we take every report seriously.
Our primary goal is to ensure the safety of our students and staff members. If there are threats made to student or staff safety, including the mention of weapons or firearms, we immediately involve the appropriate authorities, which include our Campus School Resource Officers (SROs) and local law enforcement, particularly the Victoria County Sheriff's Office (VCSO).
We follow a thorough investigative process for every report and work closely with law enforcement to assess the credibility of the threat. This may involve searching the premises and evaluating whether the individual in question has access to a weapon. We directly communicate with students and parents alongside SROs to provide accurate information and address any concerns.
Parents and guardians will receive an initial notification via the District Alerts Notification system (text message) if they have a child at the affected campus. Timed updates will follow until the campus has been released.
Response Protocols
Our school safety response protocols are designed to ensure the well-being of everyone on campus. Here's a brief overview:
Hold: Students remain in their classrooms instead of switching classes. Hallways remain cleared. This is typically used for situations in which EMS is called for a student or staff member and the hallways need to be clear for their access.
Secure: There is a threat or hazard outside of the school building. The school day continues as normal, but entry and exit from the building are restricted. A Secure is released once local law enforcement or the campus administrator concludes that the area is safe.
Lockdown: There is a threat inside of the school building. The building is closed, and students and staff secure themselves in locked areas. A Lockdown is released once local law enforcement notifies the campus/district that the area is safe.
These protocols are crucial for various scenarios, and we diligently train our staff and students to follow these procedures as part of our commitment to safety. When a campus is placed on a Secure or Lockdown, there is a threat either near or inside the campus, and visitors will not be allowed in the building until law enforcement has verified that the threat no longer exists.
Continuous Investigation and Debriefing
We believe in closing the loop with our parents and guardians with timed updates until the campus has been released. We will provide as much information as possible; however, law enforcement agencies will take the investigation lead and we must respect their process. Once law enforcement provides a statement regarding the situation, the district will share that statement along with any additional campus/district-related information on the VISD website and Facebook.
Your Role in Keeping Our Campus Safe
We encourage you to take an active role in promoting a safe environment:
Reporting Concerns: If you become aware of any concerns, please report them to campus administration, law enforcement, or a district staff member. Please refrain from sharing concerns on social media before informing the appropriate authorities.
Teaching Responsibility: Have a conversation with your student(s) about responsible use of social media and the importance of reporting concerns to teachers, school administrators, or any VISD staff member.
Following Instructions: During emergencies or safety procedures, follow safety instructions from the district or campus as provided in our messaging.
Sharing Accurate Information: Share information with your community that comes directly from the district, campus, or law enforcement to prevent the spread of rumors.
Truth Takes Time
In our commitment to transparency and accuracy, we work diligently to uncover and report facts to our community. While this process may take longer than the instant information often found in rumors or live events, our priority is to provide you with the most reliable information possible.
We sincerely thank you for your continued support and partnership as we collectively respond to concerns while maintaining the safety and welcoming environment of our campuses. Please remember that we are here to address any questions or concerns you may have.