Quick Look

Emergency

National statistics continue to show that children are more likely to be victims of violence in their own homes or neighborhoods than in school.  Unfortunately, violent episodes continue to occur in schools around the country.

The Humboldt County School District is continuing advancements through discussion and planning at the local and state level in order to implement the “best practices” when it comes to the safety of our kids and staff.  Here are just some of the things that we do in our schools.

Strategic Safety Planning

1. Each of our schools has a Crisis Safety Committee that meets during the school year to discuss all aspects of school life at their school sites.  These committees are made up of parent’s staff and school police.  The information is then forwarded to a district level committee and reviewed.  Here are some of the safety recommendations.

School Security

1. All school staff wears ID badges daily, and under state law, all new part time/ fulltime, or temporary staff is subject to criminal background records checks.
2. During the school day, exterior doors are kept locked from the outside with the exception of main entrances.  All substitutes, volunteers, and visitors must first check into the office and then are assigned a temporary ID badge. 
3. Security cameras were installed a few years agJanuary 27, 2012d.
4. Teachers and staff presence can be seen in the hallways during the school day to monitor the movement of kids.
5. Safety Drills such as earthquake, and Code Red are conducted at each school in addition to the regular mandated fire drills.
6. The presence of local law enforcement is always welcome during the day and at after hour events.

Physical Safety

1. With the recent utility improvements at our schools lights were added for greater safety of our students.
2. Students of driving age who drive in an unsafe manner can be subject to losing their parking privileges. 
3. Mitigation for pedestrian safety has been implemented in a new separated walking path from French Ford Middle School to Lowry High School.   We have also made a walking path for students at LHS to walk safely from the Parent Drop Off and Pick up area of the LHS lower parking lot to the main campus. 
4. Al1 students receive documents on their schools rules including, behavior and consequences for inappropriate behavior.

We have been fortunate to have a policeman assigned to our district full time for several years.  Officer Jeff Dawson is based at Lowry High School, but works with staff and parents in all elementary, and secondary schools in Humboldt County.  He conducts site surveys, suggests mitigation measures for the safety of the students, and investigates, and resolves criminal incidents as they come up.  The visible presence of a Police Officer is the reason that the number of serious incidents is low.  Students, parents and staff are encouraged to share with him any security- related concerns, either by stopping by his office or by calling 623-8130.

Emergency Preparedness

1. Officer Dawson of The Humboldt County School District has been instrumental in the creation of the Schools Prepared And Ready Together Across Nevada (SPARTAN) allowing Humboldt County to be a front runner in many areas of crisis planning.
2. School use and practice the same Incident Command System used by police, and fire officials for better communication and cooperation during an emergency. 
3. Humboldt County Administrators are often informed about possible safety threats through the school police officer and local law enforcement.  

The HCSD PD is committed to the protection and guidance of the districts student population with the districts number one priority; student achievement and success.  Please continue to forward your suggestions and thank you for visiting the Humboldt County School Police web site.

Jeff Dawson
School Police