Safety Services Department
"Teaming for Safe Schools"
For Wichita Public Schools 24 hour Emergency Services and Information call
973-2100
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December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving
(3D) Prevention Month
What is Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month?
Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, known as “3D Month,” is an annual holiday
awareness and enforcement campaign. It is supported by public and private organizations
devoted to educating the public about the dangers of impaired driving and preventing impaired,
driving crashes.
When is 3D Month?
3D month is observed December 1
st through January 1st.
Why?
The holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is one of the deadliest and most
dangerous times on America’s roadways due to an increase in impaired driving and increased use
of roadways as families come together to celebrate the holiday season.
How to get involved?
Visit the NHTSA website at
www.nhtsa.dot.gov and the US Department of Labor website at www.dol.gov/asp/programs/drugs/workingpartners/sp_iss/initiatives.asp.
Click HERE for more 3-D Information!
Be a part of making the Wichita Public Schools a safer place for students, staff, and parents by participating in any or all of the activities suggested below throughout the rest of the school year.
You do make the difference!
Throughout the nation, including Wichita, there is great interest in the safety of our youth at school. The Wichita Public Schools has a notable history of providing comprehensive responses to the everyday health, safety and security issues that confront our students. Additionally, our school system continues to diligently work to provide the most safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff. The Safety Services Department of USD 259, which includes Safe and Drug-Free Schools, Security Services, Police School Programs and Security Communications, has the lead responsibility in coordinating safe schools initiatives. We are constantly researching to find the best programs and services to enhance school safety.
The Wichita Public Schools has in place a comprehensive set of safe schools services which include:
Board of Education Policies – establish the rules for and the importance of providing all pupils and staff with a learning environment that is safe and secure. Policies provide the Board of Education’s guidance on school safety to all students, staff and parents. Now On-Line!
Student programs, curricula and materials – which emphasize the importance of healthy, safe decisions and behaviors are available for students of all ages. These programs and services are designed to prevent and reduce: drug, abuse; gang and other violent activities; and conflicts between students.
Staff training programs – provide school personnel with the skills and information necessary to recognize potential safety problems, as well as, how to intervene safely when these problems occur. The Crisis Prevention-Intervention Program, Youth Gang and Drug Abuse Updates and Crisis Response Manual and Trainings are but a few of the many available in-service programs.
A nationally recognized Crisis Management Plan and District wide Crisis Team – over one hundred professionals provide crisis preparedness support and response to all Wichita schools. Each school has its own unique crisis team and plan which is updated annually.
Community collaboration for safe schools – is multi-faceted. The Wichita Police Department has dedicated five police officers for student education programs; fifteen officers provide the D.A.R.E. program; and one officer is stationed at each high school to implement the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program. Sheriff deputies provide similar programs for our county schools. A team of law enforcement and school personnel work together to prevent gang activity. Local safe schools partnerships include: The American Cancer Society; Medical Association; Bar Association; National Conference for Community and Justice; Wichita-Sedgwick County Crime Stoppers; Wichita Crime Commission; Parent Organizations; Alcohol and Drug Abuse Agencies.
Personnel – in every school dedicate themselves to providing a safe, secure learning environment for our students and staff. The Safety Services Department provides twenty-four hours a day, three hundred and sixty-five days a year coverage to ensure safe and secure schools. Security Communications, which is comprised of seven Dispatchers teamed with forty-five Security Services Officers that are either stationed at selected schools or patrol the schools. The Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program team of nine Specialists provide student and staff educational programs.
Safe school research and program development – is a vital responsibility for all Safety Services personnel, which ensures improved student and staff safety.
Grants – totaling several hundred thousand dollars annually are acquired to enhance local funding for school safety.
Parents, volunteers and other caring Wichitans by the thousands – work with school district staff to provide advice, mentoring, encouragement and support for students to keep them healthy, safe, secure and successful in school.