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Safety

Nothing is more important than the safety of our students.

Learning is dependent on more than curriculum. A student cannot learn, develop and excel to their highest potential unless they are able to come to school in comfort, in trust and in safety. In Santa Cruz City Schools, we work to create an environment of physical safety, mental health support and strong connection between school and student.

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Our safety plan is built on many elements:

1. Data

We have reviewed decades of data collected by the secret service which shows definitively that the greatest factor in student safety is school connections & relationships. We offer:

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  • Annual School Connectedness Assessments, measuring how much every student feels they belong

  • Full-Staff Training on Positive Relationship Building

  • Full-Staff Training on the Markers of Distress

2. Mental Health

We are so proud & grateful to be able to offer:

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  • Licensed Mental Health resources for all students (TK-12)

  • Annual Mental Health Screenings (grades 3-12)

  • Social/Emotional Learning in every classroom (TK-8)

  • Campus-wide training & education on preventing substance abuse, suicide & sexual harassment (Grades 6-12)

  • Easy Self, Staff or Family Referrals for students who need or want licensed counseling support

  • Events throughout the year focused on Mental Health, self-care & positive behavior

3. Preparedness

From partnering with school resource officers to collaborating on emergency response plans, we work closely with all county law enforcement and first responders on a unified framework of crisis response. We train by:

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  • Running drills at all schools for a variety of threats and safety issues.

  • Running county-wide trainings with all first-response offices

  • Creating threat response plans & procedures with county-wide school districts & law enforcement agencies

4. Physical Security

Thanks to our community & the support of Measures A&B passed in 2016, we have been able to increase our physical safety measures at all campuses by adding:

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  • District-wide security fencing

  • Redesigned entries on several campuses

  • Smart-locking systems that provide more granular access protocols and allows staff to put rooms into lockdown

  • Expanded Security Cameras

  • Monitored Safety Tip System that allows anyone to submit safety concerns to schools

  • Unified Communication Platform for staff that allows any threats or concerns to be immediately shared to all

"Our school feels welcoming & engaging & refreshing & secure."

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Jacqueline Johnston Monarch Parent

"My teachers are kind & supportive & care what happens to me."

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Chloe Lockwood

Santa Cruz High

"This is such a great community. You never feel like you're alone."

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Natalie Blanco

Harbor High

"My counselor is such an important person in my life."

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Sloan Peterson

Mission Hill Middle

"Our son goes to school happy & comes home happy."

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Alexis Ow

Westlake Parent

School Site Safety Plans

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