News – Page 7 – Kentucky Center for School Safety

Handle with Care Program

From the Desk of Jon Akers, Executive Director of Kentucky Center for School Safety Ben Wilcox and I have been sharing information about the “Handle with Care” partnership between local law enforcement agencies and school district officials all over the state for the past two years. Even with our efforts, we still are hearing that some principals and counselors may not be aware that this program exists. So Ben and I decided to “try it again” via electronic media. Thanks...

It’s Kentucky Safe Schools Week

View original article By West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 17, 2021 | 10:24 AM | RICHMOND The Kentucky Center for School Safety reminds you that Kentucky Safe Schools Week is this week. This year’s theme is “Be a Safety Star” and the focus will be on the multi-faceted brilliance of what it means to be a SAFETY STAR in school, and in life. From acts of kindness and respectfulness, to following all safety rules and guidelines, being a true SAFETY...

Lincoln County Middle School SRO Mike Southerland

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Lincoln County Middle School 8th Graders Support SROs

Lincoln County Middle School eighth graders write letters expressing appreciation for their school resource officer. Below are excerpts from their letters: “A SRO in our school is making our school feel safer. An officer with special training, so that they can make sure everyone is safe. That no matter what, that person will always make sure that we are safe in our school. This is how I feel with a SRO in the building. Mr. Southerland seems very friendly, and...

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Lincoln County Middle School 8th Graders Support SROs

Lincoln County Middle School eighth graders write letters expressing appreciation for their school resource officer. Below are excerpts from their letters: “These officers (SROs) have many protocols and procedures in place for any type of situation that might occur. They also have years of experience and training which makes them prepared for any situation that might go down in the school place. Personally, this makes me feel really safe when we have a trained SRO in our school if anything...

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Tobacco-Free Schools Toolkit Available to Schools

Ask your principal about the Tobacco-Free Schools Toolkit, or email the Kentucky Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Program at ky.tobaccofree@ky.gov Jaclyn Hodges, Youth Prevention Specialist Need help addressing vaping at school? This September, all Kentucky schools serving 6th grade and older will receive a toolkit of resources to help staff address e-cigarette use. The kit includes evidence-based prevention curricula, tools to help kids and adults quit tobacco products, free posters and business cards, guidance on developing and enforcing policies, and more! Ask...

Office of the State School Security Marshal Annual Report 2020-2021

For a full copy of the 2020-2021 annual OSSM report, click here. Ben Wilcox, State School Security Marshal The School Safety and Resiliency Act (SSRA) was signed into law in March 2019, mandating that school districts across Kentucky be held accountable for the safety and security of the commonwealth’s students and staff. The SSRA requires that a recorded school risk assessment be completed by the end of the 2020-2021 school year. However, it could not anticipate a global pandemic that...

Kentucky Center for School Safety 22nd Annual Report

For a full copy of the 22nd annual KCSS report, call 877-805-4277. Greetings from KCSS Executive Director Jon Akers Few would argue that 2020 was a year unlike any other as nearly every aspect of life as we knew it before COVID was either interrupted, cancelled, or at least changed to some degree. As depicted throughout this report, our schools were no exception; their academic and extra-curricular routines were disrupted completely. We saw most districts discontinue in-person school attendance for...