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Posted by Sarah Ann McCain

6
August 21, 2023

Huntsville City Schools Achieves Outstanding Success with nSide|Boost and nSide|Assess Integration

Florence, Alabama, August 15, 2023 — nSide: The School Safety Platform, a leading provider of innovative school safety solutions, is thrilled to announce the successful deployment of its cutting-edge technologies, nSide|Boost and nSide|Assess, within Huntsville City Schools (HCS). This collaboration has led to a transformative enhancement of the school district’s communication infrastructure and behavioral threat assessment protocols, creating a safer and more connected learning environment for students and staff alike.

HCS has taken a significant step forward in addressing communication challenges by deploying nSide|Boost at three of its schools. nSide|Boost, a cellular signal amplification system, has proven its worth by delivering an unparalleled 100% success rate in a recent trial run. The system enhances cell phone signals across all major carriers, enabling robust connectivity and ensuring that devices can transmit and receive communications without hindrance.

Jeffrey Wilson, HCS Director of Operations, stated,

“The bottom line is that what we have seen is that nSide|Boost makes an immediate difference once it’s turned on – and that is not hyperbole.”

It is common for schools to employ the use of mass notification and communication systems; however, Wilson pointed out that their efficacy is “only as great as your cell phone capabilities.” This swift and effective enhancement in communication has created a more efficient and connected school environment, ultimately contributing to improved safety and streamlined operations.

In addition to nSide|Boost, HCS has integrated nSide|Assess into its district-wide operations. nSide|Assess is a sophisticated digital case management solution within the nSide Platform, bringing together administrators and other professionals to identify and assist students in crisis. This revolutionary tool facilitates collaborative efforts in evaluating a student’s circumstances, well-being, and needs, ensuring they receive the necessary care and support.

Melissa Lindsey, HCS’s Executive Director of Prevention and Support Services, highlighted the significance of nSide|Assess, stating,

“One of the things with nSide|Assess and Threat Assessments, is it’s made it very clear that we have to take every threat in our district very seriously.”

nSide|Assess bolsters the district’s commitment to ensuring a safe and nurturing learning environment for all by fostering a proactive and comprehensive approach to potential threats and student welfare. 

The successful integration of nSide|Boost and nSide|Assess in their school safety operations underscores Huntsville City Schools’ dedication to leveraging innovative technologies and its commitment to enhancing school safety. As the district continues to embrace these solutions, it further solidifies its position as a forward-thinking district dedicated to the well-being and success of its students.

About nSide: The School Safety Platform:

nSide is a provider of comprehensive school safety solutions, dedicated to creating safe and secure learning environments for educational institutions across the nation. nSide offers an integrated platform that addresses all aspects of school security, from emergency preparedness to risk assessment and communication strategies.

nSide’s mission is to provide educators, administrators, and safety personnel with the resources they need to prioritize safety, enhance preparedness, and foster a culture of security within their schools.

August 21, 2023
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Frequently Asked Questions – Part 2

Here at nSide, we aim to ensure that school administrators and safety professionals can easily manage the various elements required to keep their schools safe. We also understand that things can be confusing and unclear sometimes. This is why we have created a Frequently Asked Questions list (Part 1 and Part 2) to hopefully answer any questions you may have about using the nSide platform!

How do I add a contact?

To add a contact:

  • Navigate to the Contacts page of nSide.
  • In the Contacts column, click the Add button (green plus sign icon)
  • In the pop-up, fill out all information.
  • Click the blue Add Contact button.
Be sure to select the correct category and position before clicking “Add Contact.” If these are not selected, the contact will default to the pre-selected categories.

How can I organize my contacts?

The Contacts section consists of a school or district’s list of contacts of both contacts within the school system (ex: employees) and outside of the school system (ex: Local EMA groups, etc.).

Users have the ability to create categories for contacts in nSide. Users can make as many categories as they would like.

To create a Category:

  • Navigate to the Contacts page in nSide.
  • On the right side of the page, scroll to the Categories column.
  • Click the Add button (green plus-sign icon).
  • In the pop-up, type in the name of the category you would like to create.
  • Click the blue Add Category button.

What is the difference between a contact and a user?

Contacts may include individuals within the school system (ex: employees) and outside of the school system (ex: Local EMA groups, etc.).

Users can be assigned to a particular district and/or school and have permissions set for their organization. 

To better understand the difference between these two categories, refer to the following chart: 

How do I assign a contact to our district or school’s EOP (Emergency Operations Plan)?

ALL contacts must be added under the CONTACTS tab of the nSide platform before any actions are taken to assign roles within the EOP.

Once all contacts have been added under the CONTACTS tab, then you can navigate to the PLANS tab to assign the contacts roles within the EOP.

  • Click on the Plans tab at the top of your page.
  • Then click on the category you want to edit first. For example, you may want to start by organizing the EOP Core Planning Team and Emergency Telephone List:

At the top right corner, you will see a series of icons and buttons: 

  • Click on the green Add button.
  • You will see a pop-up screen:
  • First, choose the correct role for the contact you are adding. 
  • Then, click the green plus-sign icon to add the correct contact. 
  • NOTE: If you do not choose the role first, the contact will default to the title that was pre-selected.
  • You will see a pop-up screen when you click the add button:
Simply click the green plus-sign button next to the contact you would like to add to that role. 
April 3, 2023
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The nSider – 2023 Q1 Newsletter

The second quarter of 2022 has been a busy one here at nSide! Between the Mississippi partnership and summer conference season, our teams have been on the road nonstop. This quarter, we have seen a lot of progress with Mississippi mapping projects, and our team is growing every day.
Read More
March 30, 2023
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Blog Banner Updating Maps (1)
February 9, 2023

How updating your maps can boost school safety

The nSide platform is designed to help create safer learning environments for schools. It is built around the idea that in the event of an emergency, seconds matter. Organizing all the tools that go into emergency planning in one platform is what makes response time quick and efficient. When we look at the big picture, however, it is important to point out that in order for the platform to perform the way it was designed to in those seconds, consistent day-to-day use and maintenance is critical. For that reason, any time there is a change on your campus, your nSide maps should be updated.

There will inevitably be times when your school buildings will undergo maintenance, new construction, or have new utilities added. In each of these situations, there are steps you can follow to make sure your nSide map stays up-to-date. There are five main scenarios to consider:

  1. Building Maintenance
  2. New Construction
  3. New Emergency Equipment
  4. Changes in Room Information
  5. Staging Area Updates

1.Building Maintenance

There are several reasons maintenance can be an important factor in school safety. For one thing, HVAC systems can be vital to air quality control. Leaks of chemicals or unmaintained gas heating systems can lead to emergencies in themselves. Even something as simple as a roof leak can lead to disastrous effects if combined with a room full of electronics. 

Whenever there is significant maintenance completed in a building on your campus, there may be information that needs to be updated in your nSide map. Things like HVAC systems, water main shut-offs, and emergency equipment should all be labeled on your map. When you click on the icons that indicate the location of these systems, there is a menu that pops up on the left where you can keep track of maintenance and update information if any parts or units are replaced. 

2.New Construction

Another building change to consider is new construction. Schools often get new additions, whether it is a new classroom building, a new sports facility, or even a new parking lot. 

Each new addition to a campus has the potential to affect the Emergency Operations Plan, and there will be many safety considerations that need to be documented. 

Whenever there is new construction of any kind on campus, this will require an updated set of floor plans. In order to add new construction to the nSide map, you will need to send nSide a copy of the new floor plans at help@nside.io.

Once nSide has a copy of the new floor plans, they can add the new structure(s) to your nSide map and add any relevant emergency equipment, HVAC, or camera details. Notify nSide at help@nside.io of any new construction so that we can keep your maps as updated and accurate as possible.

3. New Emergency Equipment

Whenever a new utility, camera, or piece of emergency equipment is added to your campus, these also need to be added to your map. Knowing where emergency equipment is located can save seconds or even minutes in an emergency situation. On a relatively large campus, most faculty and staff members will not automatically know where these things are located. Having these details accessible on the map makes it easier for your faculty and staff to navigate a difficult situation.

Examples of emergency equipment include, but are not limited to: 

  • AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator): for use when someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest
  • Emergency Eye Wash (usually in science labs or near cleaning chemicals)
  • Emergency Lighting Equipment
  • Emergency Phones
  • EpiPens
  • Fire Alarms
  • Fire Extinguishers
  • Fire Pull Stations
  • Fire Department Connections (or hydrants)
  • First Aid Boxes
  • Key Boxes or Key Cards
  • Roof Access
  • Security Alarm Panels
  • Panic Buttons

4. Changes in Room Information

In addition to physical structure changes on campus, there are also often personnel changes, as well as rearranging of rooms and departments to different parts of campus. While nothing has changed your floor plans in these situations, it is still important to note these changes on your map. 

When there is a personnel change on campus, editing that information in the map is simple but vital. For example, if there is a new teacher in a room, you can simply click on the room in the map and change the name and any other information associated with that teacher. The reason this is important is because in an emergency situation, people like emergency responders may be looking at your map to check locations of certain students, faculty, or staff who may have been affected. If that information is not updated, then a chain of communication is broken, and time may be wasted searching for the correct information.

When we say, “Seconds Matter,” this is one example of how seconds can be wasted in a simple administrative error. Updating your maps takes minimal time and effort, but it saves precious time in an emergency situation.

5. Staging Area Updates

The last change we will discuss is staging areas. Staging areas should be easily accessible and the routes to reach those areas clearly marked on the map. Whenever there are changes to a school’s floor plans or campus arrangement, staging areas could also be inadvertently affected. For example, if a new fence or barrier is constructed between a classroom building and a football field which serves as a staging area, then the evacuation route may be blocked. These small changes can lead to confusion in the event of an emergency. While the staging area may not have changed technically, the route to reach it did. This creates a need for a change on your map.

Whatever changes need to be made to your nSide map, we are always here to help! Please reach out to help@nside.io or use our Live Chat to get assistance with updating your map.  For a step-by-step guide on how to update your maps, check out our Knowledge Base article!

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February 9, 2023
0
Blog Banner Severe Weather
January 19, 2023

Severe Weather and the nSide Platform

Ask anyone in the South what to do when the tornado sirens ring out, and they could probably recite a list of procedures to go through: Get inside or underground, go to the bottom floor of the building (a basement if possible), get away from all windows, and go to the centermost part of the building. Most of us have heard the warnings all of our lives, and school faculty and staff are no exception. We know the drills, and we know the procedures by heart. So when it comes to improving safety plans and procedures for severe weather, we sometimes get stuck on our own script. 

The nSide platform is the ideal planning tool to make sure severe weather plans are organized in advance for before, during, and after the event. There are many features within the platform that can help make implementation of severe weather plans as efficient as possible.

We know the drills, and we know the procedures by heart. So when it comes to improving safety plans and procedures for severe weather, we sometimes get stuck on our own script. 

BEFORE

Severe weather plans are often included as a section of a school’s Emergency Operations Plans. These are often standard plans that are primarily designed for response to an immediate threat. However, there are many things that can be done before a threat exists that could greatly enhance not only response time, but also prevention of injury and efficient recovery from any damage.   

  • 360 photos: As part of the mapping process, nSide team members take 360 photos inside and outside of your campuses. These photos can be used by first responders to locate specific locations on the map. However, it can also be used as crucial before photos in the context of potential damage to any structures. 
  • Map school safety zones: Sometimes safety zones on campus are limited to space available, such as hallways and bathrooms during a tornado warning. It is important to investigate further to make sure safety zones are identified and vetted before severe weather hits. Partnering with local first responders or fire departments may help with this task. Along with hazards from high winds, severe weather can often come with flash flooding. It is important to verify that the safety zone is not also a flood zone. In addition to safety zones on campus, don’t forget to consider safety zones for buses that are on the road. When editing your nSide map, make sure to mark these safety zones in case of a weather emergency. 
  • Communication: Planning methods of communication before an emergency will prevent confusion and panic during an event. Mass communication apps, including nSide|Lockdown, should be kept up-to-date and tested regularly. In case of power outage or other logistical issues with mass communication, each hallway or building should have wireless radios and weather radios available, as well as a designated emergency coordinator to use these tools.
  • Update maps and contacts: It is essential to update your nSide map anytime there is a personnel change or change to campus structures or features. During a severe weather emergency, providing first responders with accurate teacher and classroom information as well as contact information for your safety team is extra important. This can only be done if your maps and school information  are updated regularly.
  • Update your EOP: Like the map, your EOP must be updated regularly in the nSide platform. This ensures that all the latest emergency plans and documents are easily accessible to the appropriate staff members. 
  • Drills: The number and types of severe weather drills you will conduct on campus will depend on your geographic location and state requirements. However, the more often an emergency plan can be practiced, the better a real emergency is likely to be handled. With every drill that is conducted on campus, don’t forget to log those drills in the nSide platform for your records. It is also important to note any issues that arise during drills or potential changes that may need to be made. Communicate with your faculty and staff what went well and what needs to be improved with each drill conducted.

DURING

The warning has been issued. A severe weather event is now imminent. This is when all priorities shift to simply staying safe. Teachers and students will move to their safety zones, and communication should become the top priority of administrators. During a severe weather situation, there are a few things you can do on the nSide platform to ensure a smooth response.

  • Implement your EOP: Have your EOP documents pulled up on the nSide platform so that you can assist anyone who needs information about where to go or what to do. Use your nSide map to direct administrators or other support staff to locations that may have limited communication or simply need extra support in an emergency. Make sure you have a plan in place to communicate emergency plans with any substitute teachers or guests on campus. 
  • Monitor campus cameras to identify any issues: With nSide|Live, you can pull up your video wall on the platform to scan the campus to make sure there are no students or staff who are not in a safe location. If you are able to carry a mobile device with you to a safe location, nSide|Live can allow you to view multiple locations at once to see any safety issues in real time to keep first responders updated if they need to be called.
  • Communicate with Faculty and Staff: Although nSide|Lockdown is primarily used as a lockdown notification for active shooter, fire, or medical situations, it can also be used as a mass communication tool for authorized users. For more information on how to use nSide|Lockdown for mass communication purposes, please visit https://nside.io/lockdown-app/ or contact help@nside.io. 

AFTER

After the severe weather event has passed, assess the campus for damage before any students are released from their safety zones. If there is damage or injury, first responders should be called, and the following can be done to help in the recovery process. 

  • Assess the damage: Using your nSide map, direct available administrators and staff to different locations around campus to assess any damage, potential injuries, or safety concerns. If issues are found, keep your map open for first responders to use in recovery efforts. 
  • Reunification: If there is significant damage, you will need to implement the reunification plan in your EOP. It helps to have reunification zones marked clearly on your nSide map so that staff can help direct students and guardians to the correct locations as quickly and safely as possible.
  • Recovery and Reassessment: Once everyone is safe, then recovery can begin. If structures have suffered damage, have your 360 photos available for insurance and reporting purposes. Take time to discuss the severe weather event with your faculty and staff: What worked well? What needs to be changed in the future? What can be done to improve emergency plans? Reassess your EOP and document any changes in the nSide platform.
  • Reassure your school community: Having all your maps, drills, documents, and assessments in one place provides a quick way to reassure your community that you are doing everything you can to keep students safe. 

Contact us today to make sure you are ready for the next severe weather event! You can reach out to help@nside.io or use our live chat!

January 19, 2023
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Blog Banner Q4 Newsletter
January 3, 2023

The nSider – 2022 Q4 Newsletter

The second quarter of 2022 has been a busy one here at nSide! Between the Mississippi partnership and summer conference season, our teams have been on the road nonstop. This quarter, we have seen a lot of progress with Mississippi mapping projects, and our team is growing every day.
Read More
January 3, 2023
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What to Expect at nSide’s 2022 School Safety Summit

The 2022 School Safety Summit is less than three weeks away! The nSide office is busy making preparations for an eventful conference that will be a chance for school leaders to connect and brainstorm new ways to help keep schools safe. 

What exactly can attendees expect from Safety Summit 2022? 

nSide is hosting School Safety Summit December 6-7, 2022 in Orange Beach, Alabama. The event will take place at Orange Beach Event Center, with registration opening at 7:30 am each morning, followed by a full schedule of speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities. 

This year’s conference is focused on the topic of school violence aversion. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Frank Straub, has led in-depth studies of targeted school attacks and other mass violence events. He administers the national Averted School Violence Project and consults with government and non-government organizations regarding extremism and terrorism prevention. You can read a full bio for Dr. Frank Straub here. Dr. Straub is scheduled to speak at 9:00 am on December 6 – thank you to our partners Rhombus Systems for making Dr. Straub’s session possible! 

Other speaker and workshop topics include: Taking Your Drills To The Next Level, An Overview of Behavioral Threat Assessment, Situational Awareness in Academia, Mental Health in Children and Adolescents Since COVID-19, and Evaluating your Emergency Operations Plans.

The full agenda is posted below: 

2022-School-Safety-Summit-Agenda

2022 School Safety Summit AgendaDownload

This year we are joined by some amazing partners and sponsors – Rhombus Systems, Eagle Eye Networks, Kisi Inc., GetWireless, and CoolVu of Birmingham SE. Thank you to these organizations who partner with us and help make this event possible. 

Who should attend the School Safety Summit? 

School safety is a multi-faceted issue and involves the participation of many folks from a school and/or district’s staff. Here are just a few of people we suggest participate in this event: 

SuperintendentsSRO/SSOFacilities Managers
PrincipalsTechnology CoordinatorsSchool Counselors
Safety CoordinatorsAssistant PrincipalsSchool Nurses

We are truly so excited for this year’s Safety Summit and we look forward to seeing you in just a few weeks in Orange Beach! If you have not registered yet, please go to nside.io/safety-summit. You can also find biographies of our speakers, as well as links to accommodations on this link! Still have questions about Safety Summit 2022? Please contact Sarah Ann Evans at sarahann@nside.io.

Sources:

School Safety Summit

November 17, 2022
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The Relationship Between School Climate and School Safety

School climate is one of the most important factors of school safety. It is an abstract term that we often hear but don’t entirely understand. So what are the elements of school climate and how do they relate to school safety?

Norms

It may be a gentler word for “rules” from a certain perspective, but “norms” of a school can define behavioral standards from top to bottom. What is allowed or disallowed creates boundaries for everyone on campus.

  • Is lateness tolerated?
  • Are students allowed to roam campus in the morning before the first bell rings? This may depend on where you are and what has happened in the school’s past to shape these norms.
  • Does your school have a dress code or a uniform? Again, location and demographics may shape the norms surrounding school clothing.
  • Do students take pride in their campus by contributing to cleanliness and decorating signs and hallways for holidays and big school events?

Letting students take part in maintaining the school environment can foster school spirit and help create a sense of safety and comfort in their own surroundings.

Values

There may be many similarities between what most schools value; however, it is important to set your school apart with specific values that are made clear to students. These values may even change over time, depending on societal changes and community climate. At certain points in time, values such as equity and inclusion become a core focus for a school that has struggled in the past with these issues. What is it that your school needs to focus on in order to cultivate shared values throughout campus?

Some schools value community service and make service hours a required part of the curriculum. Others may value sustainability and create green spaces on campus where students can grow and monitor plants and vegetables as a part of their curriculum. Many schools value athletics and choose to generate school pride through their mascots and athletic events. Schools must be careful, however. Focusing too much attention on one value, such as using athletics as the sole generator of school spirit, can leave non-athletic students feeling alienated and not part of the school community. Whatever they are, it is important to have a variety of values that reflect the entire student body. Doing so ensures that students feel valued and gives them a sense of safety and belonging.

Expectations

Expectations are often confused with rules. Rules can be one-dimensional and restrictive. Expectations are less about reinforcing rules and more about sustaining a culture that is valued by everyone in the school. Having school-wide expectations in place also reduces the pressure on teachers to enforce rules that may be vastly different from other teachers’ rules and may cause frustration for students.

School-wide routines and traditions are essential to expectations as well. Examples of these routines include student orientation programs, student and faculty handbooks that outline school values, school-wide reward and consequence systems, morning announcements that reiterate expectations, and simply maintaining a consistent schedule with as few interruptions to student learning as possible. Consistent expectations and routines create an environment of stability, a crucial factor of school safety.

Attitudes

Attitudes may be the trickiest part of school culture, especially within middle and high schools, when students start to develop more apathy toward school. However, there are a few things to consider when it comes to cultivating positive attitudes in a school environment. First of all, the attitudes of faculty and staff can greatly influence the attitudes of students. If students are in an environment where they are constantly criticized and restricted, they will react accordingly and develop a deeper apathy towards their education. On the other hand, performative positivity should be avoided for the same reason- it can be alienating and make faculty and staff feel unapproachable.

Faculty should never feel pressured to be performative, as this can further drain their energy and potentially harm their relationships with students. Instead, it is important for school leaders to check in with their faculty often to hear their concerns and make sure that they feel supported and appreciated. A supportive environment is key to positive attitudes for both staff and students. In turn, faculty and staff can support students and help them feel like they have an authentic voice and space to express themselves. Avoid thinking of attitudes as “positive” or “negative”; attitudes are not polar and should not be treated so simplistically. The attitudes we want in schools are those of authenticity, care, and supportiveness. These are the attitudes that make students feel safe and connected.

School Connectedness

Creating a climate of connectedness requires a level of authenticity that is sometimes difficult for schools to grasp. As said before, there should never be pressure to be in a constant state of positivity, regardless of what self-help books have told us over and over. In an environment where staff and students are constantly pressured to “stay positive,” students will not feel safe coming forward with something that seems negative or outside the norm.

Instead, schools should aim for authentic connection with students and staff. The more connected students feel with each other and with their teachers, the more likely they are to open up about the important issues they are facing. This is imperative to developing an environment of trust, one in which students feel comfortable reporting suspicious behavior, coming to a teacher or counselor when in crisis, or simply divulging a serious problem for which they need help.

Relationships

Along with connectedness, relationships can make or break a school’s climate. Again, the goal is genuine communication with coworkers and students. The teachers who feel comfortable opening up about their struggles with each other are more likely to support each other in difficult situations. Likewise, the students who feel closer to their teachers are more likely to communicate when there is trouble later. It is up to faculty and staff to form relationships with students and to prioritize those relationships above all else. The trust that is built as a result is invaluable to the school climate and vital to an environment where students feel safe.

Teaching and Learning

While this may be the most obvious purpose of a school, teaching and learning affect school climate in ways we may not immediately realize. For years, the buzzword in education has been “engagement.” Are the students engaged? Is your instruction engaging? We often confuse engagement with entertainment. Teachers are not obligated to turn cartwheels in order to keep students entertained. However, whether or not students feel connected to what they are learning has a great impact on school climate. If they are stuck in dry lectures all day, they will inevitably feel restless and frustrated, possibly leading to behavior problems. At the same time, having an endless stream of entertainment in the classroom can negatively affect students’ ability to learn critical thinking. Finding a way for students to be active in their own learning is all engagement is really about. When students feel like they have something to contribute and something to work towards, their sense of value in their school environment skyrockets.

Other factors to consider in the learning environment are: 

  • Do students feel comfortable asking questions in your classroom?
  • Do students feel comfortable making mistakes in your classroom?
  • Are students given autonomy in their learning? 
  • Are the more reserved students given the same opportunities to ask questions out of the spotlight?

These questions may seem insignificant in the scope of school climate; however, these are issues that can greatly impact how safe or secure students feel throughout their day.

Safety

Now we come to the big one: Safety itself. School climate and school safety are inextricably linked. A school can be gated, with a camera at every corner, and an SRO at each door, but if the climate is out of balance, safety can take a complicated turn quickly. Some questions related to school safety and climate to consider are:

  • Are all possible physical safety measures in place? 
    • Has the school exhausted its resources for security officers, cameras, gates, etc.?
    • Are structures well-maintained and free of leaks and damage?
  • What measures are in place to protect and enhance student mental health?
  • What training does your staff receive in emergency preparedness? 
  • What is your staff’s attitude toward school safety? How often is safety discussed in faculty meetings? 
  • Are students encouraged to be involved in safety planning and awareness campaigns?

There are many other factors to consider when planning for safety. However, when it comes to safety and school climate, it is important to make sure students are not only aware but actively involved in the schools’ safety plans. It is also critical for faculty and staff to have training and resources available on emergency plans and safety issues. A safety-first approach to everyday routines is also crucial. Let students in on the reasons behind certain rules and expectations that relate to safety. When they understand how these seemingly arbitrary rules relate to their safety, they are more likely to invest in the school’s safety initiatives as a part of the larger climate. 

School climate is a complex system that takes a lot of commitment and teamwork from faculty, staff, and students. nSide strives to help schools make their environments safer with a one-stop platform where faculty and staff can view and enhance Emergency Operations Plans, navigate a detailed map of their school’s facilities, increase their understanding of emergency procedures, and conduct threat assessments to identify students who are in crisis and get them the help that they need. To find out more about how we can help you make your schools safer, reach out to us at help@nside.io or send us a chat! 

Sources:

What is School Climate and Why is it Important?
School Climate and Safety

https://www.erstrategies.org/cms/files/3714-schoolwide-values-ms-building-block-pdf.pdf

November 4, 2022
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8 Ways to Advocate for School Safety

October 16-22 is America’s Safe School Week. It is a time to bring awareness to school safety issues, as well as re-examine existing safety plans and policies. School safety is hardly a controversial issue; If there is anything a community can easily come to an agreement about, it is the fact that safety should be the highest priority in school planning. However, there tends to be a lack of understanding in the general public, and sometimes, even with school staff and students, about what goes into school safety and how many people need to be involved. During this Safe Schools Week, it is important to raise awareness and ask our schools and community members to advocate, not only for the safety of students but also for updated safety plans that are keeping up with the ever-changing landscape of school safety.

For Safe Schools Week, here are some ways that educators can ADVOCATE for school safety: 

Ask questions about policies that are outdated or ineffective.

Policies are put in place at the school, district, state, and even federal levels to impact safety in schools. Some of them are enforced, and some are not on an everyday basis. Some are simply outdated and not effective for modern-day safety issues. The fact is, safety changes as technology advances and as culture changes. School shootings are not the only safety concern. Mental health took a huge hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, and schools must keep up with those challenges in order to ensure students are safe. It is tempting to feel powerless when these policies are at a distance – Central Office or even the State legislature. However, educators are the first ones to notice changes in what students need. Educators must feel empowered to ask the hard questions when policies are no longer effective. 

Develop strong safety plans.

Every school may have safety plans in place, but are they collecting dust in a drawer each year? If so, it is time to make changes. Safety plans should be constantly evolving to stay relevant and at the forefront of school community members’ minds. A plan is not worth much if it is not practiced and improved over time. 

Voice your concerns about vulnerable students.

Again, educators are the first to notice when there are changes in a student. Safety plans can cover a lot, but there are always situations that require a more personal approach. When there is a change in a student’s behavior, no matter how subtle, educators need to speak up, and administrators and counselors need to be ready to listen and act.

Organize a community-wide safety awareness event.

Educators are not the only ones invested in school safety. The community surrounding a school can also be an effective advocate for school safety. Many community members may want to get involved but don’t know how. They also may have a lack of knowledge when it comes to real school safety issues. The media tends to focus on school shootings, which may create a barrier of fear around the issues that face schools. Engage the community at large with school safety events or simply have meetings that involve community members. In the event of a school evacuation or a missing student, community members play a vital role in recovery. It is important to make sure those who are interested are involved in the planning steps as well.

Communicate with parents about safety initiatives and planning.

Parents especially have a vested interest in school safety, and many are looking for ways to be involved in their child’s school. Encourage parents to get involved in safety planning and let them know when safety initiatives are being implemented. 

Assign safety-related projects and activities in class.

Safety education is not always effective when it is simply dictated to students. Instead, it may be a good idea to involve students by getting them to research safety-related topics and create their own safety plans. When students have hands-on experiences with safety, they are more likely to be invested and cooperative when it comes time to implement school safety plans.

Teach students conflict resolution skills.

Many dangerous situations develop after a simple conflict escalates into a crisis. It can happen so quickly, and it is crucial to intervene before it gets to a boiling point. Sometimes that means we must work harder on prevention. Conflict resolution is a skill that must be taught. The reality is, it is not always taught at home, so schools must incorporate conflict resolution into the curriculum as part of a larger safety plan. Counselors are an excellent choice for these lessons. Educating students on their emotions and how to appropriately respond in high-stress situations should not just be an afterthought in safety planning, but a significant part of the plan itself.

Engage students in discussions about safety.

Students must be invested in school safety in order for plans to be effective. They must prioritize safety as a part of their school day routine. Many already do, the reality being that school is already their safe place when their home is not. This should provide even more reason for that safe place to be protected. Get students involved in their own safety, and have difficult discussions. Students face dangerous situations more often than educators and parents realize. Giving them space to speak up and feel involved is imperative to school safety.

These are just a few ways to advocate for school safety. For more ideas on how you can advocate or get involved with school safety, go to http://www.schoolsafety.us/safe-schools-week. The nSide platform is constantly evolving to improve safety plans and prevent crisis situations through threat assessment, planning, and monitoring through mapping and camera surveillance. Contact nSide today at help@nside.io to see how we can help you make your schools safer!

Sources:

  1. http://www.schoolsafety.us/safe-schools-week

October 19, 2022
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The nSider – 2022 Q3 Newsletter

The second quarter of 2022 has been a busy one here at nSide! Between the Mississippi partnership and summer conference season, our teams have been on the road nonstop. This quarter, we have seen a lot of progress with Mississippi mapping projects, and our team is growing every day.
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October 7, 2022
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