School Safety

The following guide outlines our process during the three emergency situations – Lockdown, Evacuate and Shelter – and explains how parents will receive information from the district.

 

Icon indicating shelter orange circle with 1 person under a roof

Shelter

Students and staff are instructed to take safe shelter due to a situation in or near the school.


Examples:

  • Law enforcement activity such as serving warrants in a nearby location
  • Report of dangerous wildlife in area
  • Natural weather events

District Action: Active with district and emergency responders

Parent Action: Stay away from campus. Stay informed from verified sources

How Will You Know?:

  • ParentSquare Notification
  • Critical that parents keep contact information current. Updated communication as situation progresses and as needed. Please remain away from campus until receiving further communication.

 

Icon indicating lockdown red circle with a closed padlock

Evacuate

Students and staff are moved to a new or safe location due to a situation in or near the school building.
 
 

Examples:

    • Gas leak in the school
    • Unsafe situation near school affecting release times

District Action: Active with district and emergency responders

Parent Action: Stay away from campus. Stay informed from verified sources

How Will You Know?:

    • ParentSquare Notification
    • Possible Nixle Notification
    • Critical that parents keep contact information current. Updated communication as situation progresses and as needed. Please remain away from campus until receiving further communication.

 

Icon indicating shelter orange circle with 1 person under a roof

Lockdown

 
Building is put on LOCKDOWN due to danger inside or very near the building. All students and staff are in LOCKDOWN – Locks, Lights, Out of Sight.
 
Examples:
  • Threat inside the school
  • Emergency or dangerous situations very near the building

District Action: 

Active with district and emergency responders

Parent Action:

Stay away from campus. Stay informed from verified sources

How Will You Know?:

  • ParentSquare Notification
  • Nixle Notification
  • Critical that parents keep contact information current. Updated communication as situation progresses and as needed. Please remain away from campus until receiving further communication.

 

Icon indicating reunification magenta circle with a child holding the hand of an adult

Reunification

As a result of any of the above scenarios, students may need to be reunified with parents through a controlled release at the school or a reunification at a new location.

 
We want to reunite students with parents as soon as possible during an emergency situation. We will work with police and fire agencies to determine when it is safe to reunite students and parents. These situations often take time and planning to ensure you and your child are reunited safely.
 
Here are some tips for your role in a reunification:
  1. 1. Stay Away
  2. 2. Stay Informed
  3. 3. Be Ready

 

Additional Information

How To Stay Informed

During an emergency situation, we want you to receive the most accurate information and you can help by ensuring your information is updated. In order to receive safety messages during an emergency, the District will contact you through your information found in ParentSquare. Log in to your account or contact your child’s school to ensure all information is correct and up-to-date. Additionally, Sahuarita Police Department uses Nixle to inform the community of safety concerns. Sign up for Nixle by texting 85629 to 888777.

When and How Parents Will Be Notified

Each emergency situation will have a different action and a different communication avenue based on parent and staff feedback.

Decision Makers

In the unfortunate event of a school emergency, many people play a role in ensuring the safety of our students:

Local Law Enforcement and Fire Services:

Local law enforcement and fire services is in constant contact with district personnel. Law enforcement and fire services may be in charge of a particular situation and call for any safety protocol, or may be in an advisory role with district personnel.

District Personnel:

District administration may manage an emergency or call for any safety protocol. The Communications Department works with school staff to communicate needed information or updates to parents and guardians. District personnel also includes our crisis response and crisis support teams, transportation, and other departments as needed.

School Personnel:

Principals or staff may initiate any safety protocol based on a perceived threat. School staff will work with district safety and security personnel to ensure protocol and next steps.

Parents and Community Members:

Any parent or community member can call the school, district or local law enforcement to report any suspicious activity or perceived threat to the school or district.[/su_note]
 
 
 

 

Sahuarita Unified School District Adopts Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG)
Sahuarita Unified School District has adopted the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) to enhance the safety and well-being of students, staff, and the community. All school leaders have been trained in CSTAG to ensure a consistent, effective approach to identifying and addressing potential threats of violence. Developed by a team led by Professor Dewey Cornell of the University of Virginia, CSTAG became nationally recognized as an evidence-based threat assessment program in 2013. CSTAG provides a practical, evidence-based framework for schools to follow.

CSTAG

  • Rationale for a threat assessment
  • How the team functions
  • What steps to follow in conducting an assessment
  • Identification, assessment, and management of threats
  • Resolving conflicts or problems before they escalate
  • 5-step decision tree to resolve most non-serious, transient threats in 2 steps
  • Assessment and intervention reserved for more serious substantive threats
  • How to conduct a student threat assessment
  • Mental health assessment of a student who poses a serious, substantive threat
  • Pathways to violence that must be considered
  • Intervention strategies to help troubled students and prevent their conflicts and problems from escalating into violence
  • Reduction in reported violence
  • Lower anxiety and increased confidence in responding to threats
  • Fewer student-reported threats carried out
  • Up to a 50% reduction in long-term suspensions
  • Fewer bullying incidents
  • Increased parent involvement
  • Greater student willingness to seek help for threats of violence

With all school leaders trained in CSTAG, Sahuarita Unified School District is committed to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment by proactively addressing threats and guiding students toward positive outcomes.