Behavioral Threat Assessment: 89^th Legislative Session Update

NEW!

This video is an overview of the 89^th Legislative Session update to the school behavioral threat assessment process in Texas. Specifically addressed are team membership, notification responsibilities, and TEA's Sentinel system. Guidance for understanding and implementation are provided along with related resources for those desiring more information.

Threats Are No Joke!

Threats Are No Joke! is a powerful PSA that highlights the serious consequences of making or sharing threats, even if they're meant as a joke. In this PSA, viewers see how a single text message shared among students quickly escalates into chaos, triggering fear, confusion, and a full law enforcement response. This PSA serves as a critical reminder that in today's world, there's no such thing as “just a joke” when it comes to threats about school violence, school safety, or harm to others. Whether spoken out loud, posted online, or sent in a text, threats, real or fake, can lead to legal consequences, school discipline, and have long-term consequences for a student's future.

Helping Kids Thrive, Even in Difficult Times

As parents, teachers, and other caring adults in the lives of youth, we all want the same thing: to see them happy, self-confident, and capable of thriving in the world as adults. Today's world is not an easy path to navigate as so many young people struggle to identify their place at school, among friends, at home, and life in general. This video features Joshua Wayne, a counselor with 20+ years of experience, who shares stories, practical advice, and wisdom to help adults build powerful relationships with young people to help them become resilient even during the most challenging times.

A Guide to Preventing Bullying: Elementary K-2

A Guide to Preventing Bullying provides an overview of what bullying is for students in kindergarten through second grade. By watching this video, students will learn the differences between what Texas law defines as “bullying” versus being rude or mean. This video provides useful tools for students if they are being bullied, including how to report a bullying situation. This interactive video is meant to be used in an educational setting, facilitated by a campus or district staff member. Texas Education Code 37.0832(c) mandates the board of trustees of each school district to adopt a policy, and any necessary procedures, concerning bullying that meets TEA's Minimum Standards of Bullying Prevention. This video can be used by districts to meet Standard 1 of these Minimum Standards.

A Guide to Preventing Bullying: Elementary 3-5

A Guide to Preventing Bullying provides an overview of what bullying is for students in 3rd-5th grade. By watching this video, students will learn the differences between what Texas law defines as “bullying” versus being rude or mean. This video provides useful tools for students if they are being bullied, including how to report a bullying situation. This interactive video is meant to be used in an educational setting, facilitated by a campus or district staff member. Texas Education Code 37.0832(c) mandates the board of trustees of each school district to adopt a policy, and any necessary procedures, concerning bullying that meets TEA's Minimum Standards of Bullying Prevention. This video can be used by districts to meet Standard 1 of these Minimum Standards.

A Guide to Preventing Bullying: Secondary 6-12

A Guide to Preventing Bullying provides an overview of Texas bullying and cyberbullying laws for students in 6th-12th grade. By watching this video, students will learn the differences between what Texas law defines as “bullying” versus being rude or mean. This video provides useful tools for reporting a bullying situation and how to work with schools to resolve the matter. This interactive video is meant to be used in an educational setting, facilitated by a campus or district staff member. Texas Education Code 37.0832(c) mandates the board of trustees of each school district to adopt a policy, and any necessary procedures, concerning bullying that meets TEA's Minimum Standards of Bullying Prevention. This video can be used by districts to meet Standard 1 of these Minimum Standards.

A Parent's Guide to Understanding Bullying

A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Bullying provides parents with an overview of Texas bullying and cyberbullying laws. This video clarifies the difference between bullying, rude, and mean behaviors. It provides useful guidelines to working with schools in the event of a bullying situation. Maurine Molak, co-founder of David’s Legacy Foundation, also shares an important message, tips, and resources for parents.

Cyber Safety and Digital Responsibility: A Parent’s Guide

The Cyber Safety and Digital Responsibility: A Parent’s Guide video is a collaboration between the Texas School Safety Center and Safer Schools Together. We recognize that technology is constantly evolving and deeply intertwined in the daily lives of our youth. This one and a half hour long training details the positive and negative ways youth are using technology and social media. The information in this training will empower you to facilitate a proactive conversation with the youth in your life on how to safely use today’s technology.

Standard Response Protocol (Updated)

The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) provides consistent, clear, shared language and actions among all students, staff and first responders, that can be applied in any emergency. This video illustrates how to implement each of the SRP actions – Lockout, Lockdown, Evacuate, Shelter, and Hold – in a school setting. It is intended to accompany the SRP Toolkit and can be used to train school staff and students on the SRP. This version of the SRP video has been updated to include the new language of "Secure" in place of Lockout.

Overview of The Standard Reunification Method

This video provides an overview of the Standard Reunification Method (SRM). One critical aspect of crisis response is accountable reunification of students with their parents or guardians in the event a controlled release is necessary. The SRM provides school and district safety teams proven methods for planning, practicing and achieving a successful reunification.

Texas Bullying Laws

During the regular session of the 85th Texas Legislature, Senate Bill 179 "David's Law," was passed and signed by Governor Abbott. Senate Bill 179 amends Texas Education Code, Section 37.0832, Section 12.104 (b) and several other statutes related to bullying.

Be the One in the Fight Against Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is modern day slavery and it is happening all across Texas to thousands of men, women, and children. This video, developed by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, provides an understanding of what human trafficking is and is not, identifies vulnerable populations that are more likely to be victimized by human traffickers, identifies indicators of human trafficking and methods of reporting to the authorities, and highlights actual cases of human trafficking prosecuted in Texas.

Making School Safety a Priority

This video presents the issue of school safety as an expansive topic that includes multiple areas of concern, and one that affects the whole community. There are a number of effective ways for schools to improve safety and security of their students, staff, and facilities. This video recommends three proven areas schools should focus on to further their school safety efforts; including acquiring specialized training, utilizing customized resources, and allowing for youth involvement.

3 Simple Steps to Creating Safe Schools

This video highlights three simple, yet effective, steps that can be implemented by teachers and staff on campus to do their part in building a positive school climate. This brief video is a resource that can be used in professional development at the start of this school year as well as throughout the year as a reminder of how everyone on campus plays an important role in creating safe schools. Make school safety a priority for your campus this year by building rapport with your students and taking action.

You Are Our Heroes!

The Texas School Safety Center recognizes the effort and sacrifices that school personnel make daily to ensure students thrive. This video was created to honor the incredible efforts put forth by everyone in our school communities this year. We are so grateful for you. You are our heroes!