Providing a Safe Learning Environment

In the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District, we have one goal: high achievement for all students.  To meet that goal, we have four strategic objectives that are extremely interdependent.

The learning environment is a crucial piece to the puzzle when it comes to student success. We are proud of the work we are doing to promote positive student character traits, decrease out-of-school suspensions and increase attendance among our students.  This year, our team also implemented a newly formatted Student Code of Conduct, which we hope is easier to understand for our parents and students.

In the 2011 C-FB ISD parent survey, 92.6 percent of the parents responding said that their child's school provided a safe environment. We believe that for high achievement to take place, our schools must be safe and learning-focused. We are pleased that our parents have such a strong perception about our schools, but I believe we have received those high marks because we as a school community have been proactive in providing a safe, positive learning environment.

Since the early 1990’s, C-FB ISD has had a committee whose mission is to look continuously for practical ways to improve campus and district safety. The committee still today operates seeking out research, guidance from law enforcement and input parents and community members.  All of us know, there is no single simple solution for school safety.  However, what we do know is that we must work together to provide the best possible learning environment for our students and educational team.  And, that will always be a priority for the C-FB ISD community.

In a recent presentation to the C-FB ISD PTA Council, Wade Lillie, director of the Security and Operations Services Department, highlighted how the district prepares for emergencies.  The key word is "planning." 

Every year, our campuses and other district facilties develop an "emergency response plan" in conjunction with the District's Crisis Management and Emergency Response Plan. We provide copies of these plans to each police and fire department, and other emergency response agencies to provide detailed and up-to-date information for a faster and more efficient response.

These plans include how the school or building will handle all types of issues.  Each district facility (not just schools) are expected to conduct drills annually.  These range from evacuation drills, i..e, fire drills to shelter in place, i.e., bad weather in the area. 

Since January 2009, C-FB ISD has used V-Soft by Raptor Technologies to register and monitor visitors, contractors and volunteers who come to the school. When visitors, volunteers or contractors check-in, they are asked to present a valid state or government issued photo ID for entering into the system.

Thanks to the 2003 bond referendum program, the district added some additional security measures to district campuses.  These basic tools include electronic door locks. We also have secured or monitored entrances.  Other additional tools include closed-circuit TV systems for security and discipline monitoring, burglar alarms to prevent and report unauthorized access, and automatic fire alarms that detect heat and smoke in case of fire.

The district has also introduced a tool to our middle and high schools called  AnComm's "Talk About It."  "Talk About It" is an anonymous messaging communication service that gives students an opportunity to "talk" to certain faculty members. As soon as a student submits a text message, then the appropriate administrator receives the message and resolve the issue as it arises.  We believe it is important to be proactive and respond to situations in a timely manner.

In C-FB ISD, we have close working relationships with local police departments, including on-campus School Resource Officers (SROs) who work closely with our district security and operations team as well as our administrative team.

We value the tools that we have at our disposal to keep our buildings safe as well as the training that has been provided, but what is most important is the "safety team."  That safety team includes everyone: our students, teachers, principals, all C-FB ISD staff, and the entire C-FB ISD community.  We are responsible for the safe and positive schools in our district.  A  positive, caring learning environment will help us with our goal of high achievement for all students.

To visit the PowerPoint Presentation shown at the PTA Council Meeting, see below:
LilliePTA Presentation 2012