We all have a voice in student safety and well-being

The Houston Independent School District is committed to ensuring every student’s health, safety, and well-being. As we continue to heal and reflect in the wake of the tragedy at Bellaire High School, it’s my mission to implement measures to increase safety on our campuses.

In the past weeks, I have held productive and engaging meetings with high school student leaders and key community leaders from across the district. I am also hosting a series of meeting with principals to hear their feedback around school safety.  Along with improvements to safety, we are focusing on the social and emotional supports that students need to feel safe and thrive personally and academically.

Our students, community members, and staff are contributing valuable insight to these conversations – from utilizing innovative technology in the event of a campus emergency to building stronger relationships and trust between campus officers and students.

Additional measures that have been taken on improving school safety include:

• Assessing all middle and high school campuses to evaluate the viability of installing metal detectors on campuses.
• Instructing all HISD campuses to immediately reconvene their safety and security council committees to review safety protocols and procedures.
• Engaging HISD parents, students, and community members in meaningful dialogue through an online survey, “Speak Out on School Safety,” to submit recommendations on how to increase campus safety. We want to hear from YOU, so please take a moment to fill out the survey and encourage others to do so: Speak Out on School Safety
• Implementing the Sandy Hook Promise’s “Say Something” anonymous reporting system for grades 6 through 12. The program trains students on how to look for warning signs and threats, especially on social media, from an individual who may be threatening to hurt themselves or others – and to Say Something to a trusted adult. Students can report through an app, website, or hotline, and their tip is routed to the appropriate area of support or intervention.
• Our Communications Department created an educational PSA video with the help of our students to spread the message about speaking out regarding suspicious activity.  I encourage our students, staff, and all members of our community to view and please share on social media.

We will continue to explore all options to address both student safety and social and emotional needs.  There is no perfect answer to the safety and security challenges confronting us as a community, but we all have a voice and can make a difference.  I am confident that if we work together, we can identify effective solutions that address these issues in a comprehensive and collaborative manner.

Thank you for being a partner in this effort. I look forward to what we can accomplish as a community for our students.