TxSSC
School Safety Spotlight Awards
Positive Climate Programs
(Past Winners)
- indicates an overall recipient for fiscal year.
Mission CISD
Positive Climate Programs
Mission CISD takes a holistic approach to supporting the mental health needs of students and families. By repurposing federal funds from a program that was only supporting a small number of students, the district employed its first, onsite, full-time licensed professional counselors (LPCs). An initial group of four LPCs grew to six plus three social workers and up to 10 transitional coaches who are also LPCs (supported by a privately funded COVID-19 response grant). The LPCs provide assessment, therapy, and treatment services as well as work with families and students in crisis. Each LPC maintains a virtual counseling office in addition to offering services in person. The LPCs also provide support and training to staff.
The district assists students in maintaining social emotional health through a relaxation technique known as mindfulness. Each elementary campus has a mindfulness room, a quiet space where students can retreat when they are experiencing stress, anxiety, or have other needs. These spaces can be a refuge for students and a place where they can utilize the relaxation techniques. Mindfulness techniques are also part of the Inner Explorer program which has been implemented throughout the district. This resource has been extremely effective in managing social emotional health for students and staff.
“We know that students’ social emotional health has been affected due to the many trials associated with the pandemic. We wanted to successfully reintegrate students back into the classroom while also provide them with the tools and support they need throughout the year. We have taken a holistic approach to not only support our students, but their families and our staff members who may be experiencing some mental health issues.”
Quarter 4 (FY21)
Chief Jeffrey Yarbrough, Round Rock ISD Police Department
Positive Climate Programs
The Round Rock ISD Police Department (PD) created a school policing model called the Four Pillars of School Policing.
A Behavioral Health Services Department inside the police department provides case management and wrap around services to families to ensure that student needs are met. The Behavioral Health Services Department oversees five mental health clinics that operate on Round Rock ISD high school campuses. The Round Rock ISD PD employs ten social workers who work alongside Round Rock ISD police officers. Chief Jeffrey Yarbrough (right), pictured here with Assistant Chief Jim Williby (left), utilizes social workers and behavioral health resources to ensure that officers are trained to utilize campus and district resources to find non-law enforcement solutions to properly address student needs.
“There are concerns in communities around the country regarding traditional policing practices. People are looking for change and transformative solutions. The Round Rock ISD Police Department has redefined school policing with the Four Pillars of School Policing model. Safety and security, which includes areas such as building security and officer training is vitally important, but it is only one of the approaches we use. We also focus on behavioral health.
Additionally, we focus on equity which is important because we serve a highly diverse school district. Every single student possesses cultural capital and value, and we ensure that our policing practices do not create disproportionality but provide equitable outcomes for all students. We also focus on student advocacy because we're not in the business of writing tickets or arresting students for reckless, irresponsible, and adolescent behavior. We rely on resources other than the criminal justice system to help students so that negative juvenile actions and behaviors do not follow them into adulthood. We have opened the door to post-modern policing, and we believe what we are doing in Round Rock ISD will be a model for school policing nationwide."
Quarter 3 (FY21)
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD - Mental Health Intervention Team
Positive Climate Programs
The Cypress-Fairbanks ISD multidisciplinary Mental Health Intervention Team (MHIT) supports mental health, well-being, and safety initiatives throughout the community and focuses on building capacity across all campuses to respond to both risk of suicide and threats of violence. The team established an internal Mental Health Support Line available to all staff members to help resolve mental health crises in the moment. When a phone consultation is insufficient, MHIT will send a response team, made up of a licensed mental health provider and a mental health officer, to directly support the concern at the campus or student’s home.
MHIT also developed several programs that directly engage students, staff, and the broader community in promoting positive mental health and safety. These programs include training presentations, weekly mental health roundtable discussions, and office hours by Zoom for staff; the support of student efforts to spread factual information about mental health and activities to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness for students; and a bimonthly Facebook Live interview series and Mental Health Fair for the community.
“We feel fortunate that we're in a position to support school safety at all levels, from the individual to the system."
Quarter 4 (FY-19)
Joe Parks, Plano ISD
Positive Climate Programs
As Executive Director of Safety and Security for Plano ISD, Joe Parks, a retired police lieutenant and licensed attorney, developed the Campus Police Officer program (CPO) which sends officers into elementary and middle schools to provide visibility, security, and rapport with students and staff. Joe also started a project to enhance the security of senior high schools through PA system upgrades, door controls, and metal detectors. Joe helped to implement a notification system to alert staff and students via computers and mobile phones of emergency situations. He holds community meetings to address parent, staff and student concerns and has worked to create a contact group with the Collin County Sheriff’s Department and the five police departments within the PISD. Joe is constantly forward thinking about improving school safety.
“It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as the security director for Plano ISD, and I cannot imagine a more rewarding position in any field or profession. At the end of the day, there is simply no more important work than keeping our kids safe. I feel very fortunate to work with a team that is so dedicated to that mission, and a great sense of pride in making a positive impact on the safety and security of our campuses.”
Wylie ISD, Pre-Check ID Card Program
Positive Climate Programs
When Wylie ISD added new buzzer/camera access control systems at all campuses, the district wanted to maintain its friendly and welcoming culture. To help manage the large numbers of parents who attend events during the day, Wylie ISD created a unique program: The Wylie ISD Pre-Check ID Card. This TSA-style pre-screening system reduces lines and wait times for parents to join their students for special programs and celebrations. Parents who wish to take part complete the standard district background check and are issued a photo ID. The district worked with its visitor-screening provider to create a barcode for each Pre-Check ID Card which enables personnel to quickly scan the card and keep a record of who enters the building.
“The schools belong to the community and our goal is to provide the safest possible environment while still welcoming parents who want to be involved in their child’s school life. The Pre-Check ID card is just one component of our comprehensive safety and security program and our parents have been great partners in helping make it a success.”
“This program would not have been possible without our dedicated front office staff, our technology department and our district safety committee all working together. Based on their feedback, and parent responses, we are already looking at ways to improve the program for next year.”
Quarter 3 (FY-19)
Mesquite ISD, #BestCareAnywhere
Positive Climate Programs
#BestCareAnywhere is a wrap-around counseling services program that encompasses promoting a positive, nurturing school culture; providing personal and social development for all students; preventing self-harm and harm to others; and providing the "best care anywhere." MISD counselors encourage students to change the odds in their favor and empower them to become resilient overcomers, choosing their own path with determination to succeed and positively impact the world around them. The program influences the safety and security of students through prevention. A collaboration with Texas A&M-Commerce provides free counseling for parents, students, and community members, and the culture of reporting students in crisis (by staff members and students) has increased MISD's ability to identify, assess, and manage student needs.
“I love that I get to be a part of a group of counselors who are committed to serving our students and fearless about re-imagining our model of school counseling in MISD. MISD Counselors own this counseling program, and are impacting students every day, embracing the many roles of their job and are shining examples of servant leadership.”
Quarter 2 (FY-19)
Joshua Wadsworth and Pawnee ISD
Positive Climate Programs
Counselor, Joshua Wadsworth, led the implementation of inclusive and restorative practices intended to minimize student isolation and maximize student engagement. Pawnee ISD staff incorporate restorative dialogue in all interactions with students and expect students to use these practices as well. Students are given the opportunity to make meaningful and genuine amends for mistakes and to share feelings and experiences with one another in a setting that supports positive dialogue and reflective listening. The program also draws from research supporting the interaction of positive male role models within schools, offering opportunities for fathers to serve as volunteers. The dynamic of student-to-student and student-to-teacher empathy creates a bond that fosters a joint responsibility for the Pawnee ISD.
“I find my greatest satisfaction in the small successes our students display every day on campus - watching our eighth-graders sit with our pre-K students during lunch and engage in genuine conversation; sitting with students who have come to my office to resolve a conflict together; overhearing a group of students encouraging a classmate who has suffered some sort of academic setback. Each of these events foreshadows the abilities of our students to serve as leaders and difference-makers in their respective communities as adults. And it is exactly this sort of behavior that contributes to the healthy culture of our campus.”
Quarter 1 (FY-19)
Officer Robert Ferdin, Losoya Middle School Police Officer, Southside ISD
Positive Climate Programs
Officer Robert Ferdin is committed to creating a safe and positive learning environment which encourages and empowers students to be positive role models, build a sense of community, prevent bullying/cyber bullying, learn conflict resolution, and transition into young adults. Officer Ferdin is passionate about helping all students, especially students at-risk. Growing up as an at-risk student himself, he is making every effort to establish a positive learning environment for all students and staff and instill leadership qualities with a focus on education.
Officer Ferdin founded and established KipC (Kids Influencing Positive Change) to promote health and fitness, positive attitudes, and team building, especially for at-risk students having difficulty socially, emotionally and/or behaviorally. Students apply and interview to take part in three areas of the program – KipC Leadership, Safety Patrols, and the Run/Walk Club. Approximately 150 students participate in the program. KipC is unique as it includes student leadership development, safety patrols to instill a sense of belonging and community volunteerism, and an opportunity to build the student socially-emotionally through physical activity and fitness.
“KipC (Kids-Influencing-Positive-Change) creates a supportive environment that allows children to focus on learning and developing new skills, while giving them a sense of belonging.”
Boerne ISD
Positive Climate Programs
The Boerne ISD has partnered with a new coalition, the Boerne Coalition of Resources and Resilience, to develop a series of resources and wellness programs with the goal that all community programs work together for children and teens to prevent problems before they start and assist youth and families that are encountering mental health or substance related problems.
The Boerne ISD Suicide Prevention Plan, Protocol, and Training is an extremely comprehensive, written plan that is used throughout the district, by students, staff, administrators, and counselors. It was developed by a steering committee comprised of community members, parents, representatives of all campuses at all levels, and students. It utilizes prevention beginning at the elementary grade levels, annual training on suicide and early signs of mental health issues for all staff and faculty (not just new faculty, as required by the legislature), and includes parent and student training on recognizing and helping students who may report signs of suicidal risk.
Quarter 4 (FY-18)
Stephen Searles, Student Services Coordinator, Brazosport ISD
Positive Climate Programs
Upon recognizing the need for prevention and intervention of at-risk students across the district, Brazosport ISD has maintained a six-year partnership with a non-profit, community organization called True to Life Ministries (TTLM). Club Belay and Student Success Coaches provide mentoring and deep support services in ways the district alone cannot provide to students struggling with significant home, discipline, attendance, and/or mental health issues. In addition to contributing to a safer, more secure and positive school climate, the TTLM staff participates in BISD staff development, including training in Capturing Kids Hearts and Teen Leadership, and collaborates with district counselors to provide skill-development, resources, and ongoing relational support for students.
“Brazosport ISD partners with True to Life Ministries (TTLM), a community organization to provide a strong prevention/intervention mentoring program for at-risk students at both high schools and the district’s discipline alternative campus. Student Success Coaches (mentors) work with students referred by campus administrators in a one-on-one setting to provide interventions and in-depth support beyond which the district alone could provide outside this partnership.“
- indicates an overall recipient for fiscal year.