Yesterday, we shared information about our new Threat and Safety Protocols, and that we’ll be using a new, state-of-the-art platform designed to better track and respond to student safety and mental health concerns. You can learn more about our approach here.
Today, we want to highlight another important part of our safety efforts: training for both Armed and Unarmed Campus Safety Monitors (ACSMs). These trained professionals serve as the first line of response in an emergency. Our Safety and Security Teams at the middle and high schools receive ongoing training focused on best practices for responding to emergencies, following the right procedures as determined by the District, and coordinating closely with local emergency services if a threat occurs.
This week, our Safety and Security Teams trained alongside the Farmington Police Department on how to protect students in the event of an emergency, including room-clearing drills for an active shooter scenario. While we hope such a situation never happens in our schools, we are committed to being fully prepared should it ever occur.
Training was also conducted in the District’s Emergency Action Plans for large-scale athletic events. In the coming weeks, we’ll also be highlighting the important role our Athletic Directors play in school safety and the planning for these events. They help guide the procedures our schools follow during an event, such as notifying families and the public, identifying rally points and reunification locations (especially at away games or events), managing access to specific areas, and ensuring proper credentials for anyone entering our buildings or event spaces.
We will continue to share updates about our safety trainings as part of our ongoing commitment to keeping our schools safe, supportive, and ready for any emergency.
We are deeply grateful to the Farmington Police Department for their outstanding collaboration, and to our ACSMs and CSMs for stepping into these important roles and helping make our schools safer for both students and staff.
In the photos, you’ll see our Safety and Security Teams training with the Farmington Police Department. Please note that all weapons used during training were unloaded, safety-checked, and flagged for training purposes only. Students were not in the building. Rooms were also unoccupied.