From the Superintendent: Safety Review and Staff Training

Dear Clarkston Families and Community Members,

Safety has always been a major focus in Clarkston Community Schools. As we continue our efforts, I want to give you an update on the recent review of protocols and our staff training.

At the CCS Board of Education meeting on February 14, Secure Education Consultants, our contracted security consultant, provided a review of his findings. He was impressed with the policies and practices we have in place, and stated our district is in the top ten of those he has evaluated in terms of safe and secure facilities and protocols. You can watch the full report from the Board Meeting here (Report starts at about 10 mins). While we are proud of this assessment, there is always more to be done. We will continue refining current practices and expanding on safety and security-related equipment and emergency protocols.

On February 23, over 1,000 CCS staff members participated in a day-long district training on safety and wellbeing. Vital information was shared, and we engaged in activities to help us all feel more prepared and assured in a potential crisis. 

We worked with some of the very best for this essential training. Numerous members of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office helped facilitate active safety simulations at every building in the district. Dr. Jim Henry, co-founder and project director for the Western Michigan University Children's Trauma Assessment Center, provided essential tips to prepare staff for the simulations and then how to process them afterward. Dr. Henry has worked extensively in our district with several CCS staff members regarding trauma-informed practices, and he has been supporting students and staff in Oxford.

While the substance of this training was heavy at times, facing the uncomfortable is necessary to give us a new level of preparedness and confidence. The learning and connections we made during that day were priceless, and they will only serve to help us all provide a better and safer learning environment for all of our students. 

Regular safety drills will continue for our students, and we will be incorporating what we’ve learned as a staff to better help them feel more comfortable and prepared.

With spring just around the corner, we are looking forward to a wide array of activities and events in our schools and around the community. Please know that safety will continue to be a top priority for Clarkston Schools at each and every event. As always, we appreciate your commitment and support.

Sincerely,

Dr. Shawn Ryan
 

About Clarkston Community Schools: Clarkston is a highly regarded school district with an enrollment of nearly 7,100 students. We have seven elementary schools (K-5), one middle school serving grades 6-7, one junior high for grades 8-9, and Clarkston High School, which serves students in grades 10-12. We also have a virtual academy, an Early Childhood Center serving children ages 3-5, and an alternative high school/community education facility. Clarkston Community Schools students are well-prepared for a future that excites them, and believe that they can achieve their dreams. The mission of Clarkston Community Schools is to create a learning environment where students, staff, and families are challenged, healthy, engaged, safe, and supported.

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Media Contact: Kelly Allen, Director of Marketing and Community Relations (248) 623-5460.