Safe Schools Week Resources

Below find a wealth of teacher and administrator resources — lessons, games, handouts, videos and more.
KY Safe Schools Week 2023
KY Safe Schools Week 2023 Administrator Checklist Understanding School Safety Starts with Me

S.T.O.P.! Tipline - Safe School Reporting Tool

SSW 2020 Resource Image S.T.O.P.! Tipline Logo(Kentucky Office of Homeland Security) – Use this tip line (or call 1-866-393-6659) to report concerns of any kind, whether it be at home or at school. You may report anonymously, or choose to be contacted. This is a free service for all Kentuckians.

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Telling vs. Tattling

When talking with your students use this handout. Everyone needs to know the difference between telling and tattling. Review these in classrooms and place them on the wall to refer to every now and then.  (KCSS Handout)

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Stopbullying.gov

SSW 2020 Resource Image Stopbullying.govThe Stopbullying.gov site has content for both kids and adults: Twelve animated webisodes (1-2 min) on how kids deal with bullies at their school (with discussion questions); bullying games; facts about bullying for kids; videos on how to deal with bullying; and what kids can do if they see bullying. Digital Awareness for Parents – StopBullying.gov – The digital world is constantly evolving with new social media platforms, apps, and devices, and children and teens are often the first to use them. Some negative things that may occur include cyberbullying, sexting, posting hateful messages or content, and participating in negative group conversations

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FBI Safe Online Surfing

SSW 2020 Resource Image FBI Safe Online SurfingFBI-SOS is a free, fun, and informative program that promotes cyber citizenship by educating students in third to eighth grades on the essentials of online security. Students will learn skills to keep them cyber safe in a game format. There is a game for each grade level promoting safe surfing online especially while students have more time online at home. (English and Spanish)

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Cyberbullying Fact Sheet

SSW 2020 Resource Image Cyberbullying Research CenterCyberbullying Fact Sheet: Identification, Prevention, and Response – Cyberbullying Research Center – Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2020). A guide to help educators/parents/guardians spot cyberbullying be respectful and show kindness to everyone during this transitional time. This fact sheet also addresses how to respond appropriately.

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The Owning Up™ Lessons

SSI Bullying Website Image Owning Up CurriculumPresent a unique and comprehensive approach to preventing youth violence by targeting the root causes of bullying and other forms of social cruelty. It exposes the cultural expectations that teach young people to humiliate and dehumanize others as the way to achieve power and respect, then challenges them to transform this dynamic. A CD is included for a nominal fee.

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YouTube Animated Story of Spookley (A Helpful Pumpkin)

SSI Bullying Website Image SpookleyElementary Lesson Plan – Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Pacer is a square pumpkin who lives in a round pumpkin patch world. In The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin, a perennial fall favorite children’s story, Spookley helps you understand that the things that make you different are what make you special.

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Conflict Resolution: Helping Others and Ourselves

SSI Bullying Website Image PBS Conflict ResolutionStudents in grades 2-5 can use these activities to practice skills in resolving conflicts with bullies and help them think critically about logical resolutions. Teasing is Tough – Get children to talk about how it feels to be teased. Work together to create coping strategies, in this activity from Arthur. (PBS Learning Media)

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The Ned Program

SSI Bullying Website Image The Ned ProgramThe Ned Program school-wide character education program centers around a 45-minute assembly called The NED Show. NED is a loveable cartoon character whose name is an acronym for Never give up, Encourage others, and Do your best. Teachers love that NED is simple, relatable and kid-focused.

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TERRORISTIC THREATENING

If someone threatens a school or school activity in any way that causes the school to have to evacuate (to keep students and teachers safe), that is called terroristic threatening. (KCSS Handout)

  • It’s not a joke!
  • It’s not a prank!
  • It’s not for fun!
  • It’s against the law!
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Threats at School

This handout addresses online “Threats at School.” Many students are not aware of the fact that all social media acquire and log “IP addresses” even Snapchat. This is a handout to help you explain how law enforcement can obtain anyone’s personal information from any of these apps. Then law enforcement can find the offending student and press charges. The student who creates, reposts or sends the fear-provoking material will suffer the consequences of this felony. (KCSS Handout)

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CALM, COOL, & CONSISTENT: KEEPING CIVILITY IN THE CLASSROOM

SSI Classroom Management Website Image NEA Calm Cool ConsistentNEA – “The teachers who are naturals in promoting civil behavior never raise their voices … they insist on training kids from the very beginning. They make enforcing good behavior a habit, and students have a very clear notion of where their boundaries are and respond to them.”

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CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT APPROACHES TO SUPPORT SCHOOL CONNECTEDNESS

CDC – Some classroom management approaches strengthen school connectedness. Find examples of strategies, tools, and templates that school staff can use to apply these approaches in their face-to-face, virtual, or blended learning modes.

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Green Dot

Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs, Inc. (KASAP) – Green Dot is an evidence-based primary prevention program designed to teach participants safe ways to intervene in situations of bullying, dating violence, and sexual harassment and assault. The program includes two components: the Overview Speech and the Bystander Training.

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Bystanders to Bullying

StopBullying.gov – Someone who witnesses bullying, either in person or online, is a bystander. Friends, students, peers, teachers, school staff, parents, coaches, and other youth-serving adults can be bystanders. With cyberbullying, even strangers can be bystanders.

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Becoming an Upstander to Bullying Just Got Easier!

StopBullying.gov – Don’t be a bystander when it comes to bullying. Be an Upstander! StopBullying.gov has new resources to help you safely upstand to bullying. For example, StopBullying.gov’s new Bystander Fact Sheet details the different roles bystanders play in stopping or enabling the bullying behavior. StopBullying.gov has also released the new Become an Upstander to Bullying video online to view and share – they are available on the StopBullying.gov YouTube channel in English and Spanish.

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Bystanders are Essential to Bullying Prevention and Intervention

StopBullying.gov – Bullying can have significant mental, developmental, and social effects, which is why it is a public health concern. When it comes to prevention many people can take an active role to intervene – especially bystanders. A bystander to bullying is anyone who witnesses bullying either in person or in digital forms like social media, websites, text messages, gaming, and apps. When bullying occurs, bystanders are present 80 percent of the time. A bystander has the potential to make a positive difference in a bullying situation, particularly for the youth who is being bullied. 

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Bystander Video

StopBullying.gov – One in five children in the United States experience bullying where a peer harasses, humiliates, or threatens repeatedly. Bullying can have negative psychological, physical, and academic effects. To learn more about bullying prevention visit Stopbullying.gov. 

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KY Safe Schools Week 2023
KY Safe Schools Week 2023 Administrator Checklist Preparing for Emergencies

Elementary School Lockdown Workbook

(KCSS) – KCSS is excited to offer this newly developed Elementary School Lockdown Workbook; Suggestions and Ideas When Teaching Lockdown Practices to Elementary School Students. Lockdowns and other safety drills are part of a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan. Although the classroom teacher is best suited to develop specific lessons/instructions for his/her class, this workbook provides ideas and samples to assist in preparing that specific classroom plan.

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Classroom Response Kit

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 KCSS Classroom Response Kit(KCSS) – Each classroom should consider developing a “response kit” to have available for use during an emergency situation. Items in the kit should not be used for anything other than emergency preparedness training activities. The kit should be portable and readily accessible for use in an emergency. Contact KCSS for more information. 

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Meet the Helpers

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 resource image PBS Meet the Helpers Many children have questions and can feel uneasy when emergencies occur in their communities. The Meet the Helpers toolkit is designed to introduce “helpers” and explain the role they play in emergency situations. Included in the toolkit are videos and hands-on activities that provide educators and families with developmentally appropriate resources for young children.

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KCSS FLIPCHART APP

KCSS Flipchart App Handout

(KCSS) Kentucky Center for School Safety provides this KCSS Flipchart, which includes emergency response procedures for K-12 schools.

School emergencies are unexpected, unpredictable and can take many forms. The Kentucky Center for School Safety offers this quick and easy reference guide (KCSS Flipchart) for immediate response and is not a complete school safety plan. This quick reference guide uses FEMA’s four categories of school-related emergencies.

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KCSS Lockdown Website Page

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 KCSS LockdownKCSS – There are several variations of addressing lockdown procedures when considering the school setting. This page includes several ideas that may assist in developing a “lockdown” protocol in a school community. It is highly recommended that school officials consult with local law enforcement officials to cooperatively develop this protocol.

View current suggestions: “Considerations When Developing a School Lockdown Policy”

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KCSS Emergency Guide Website Page

KCSS – More so now than ever before, schools are faced with ongoing challenges. They must be prepared for a wide range of emergency situations from natural disasters to threats of violence. Although schools may have established procedures for dealing with many emergency situations, many do not have these protocols collected in a coordinated, concise manner that are reviewed annually. The 2023 revision of the Emergency Management Resource Guide is designed to assist during the planning stage both at the school and district levels.

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KCSS Other Useful Materials and Links

KCSS – Find links to useful materials including sample plans, toolboxes and kits, sample letters, checklists, guides, and other helpful links.

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KCSS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RESOURCES AND LINKS

KCSS – On this page, find news and research tools including directories, databases and KCSS resources. Also find mitigation/prevention resources including a School Vulnerability Checklist and a Toolkit for Safe Chemical Management in K-12 Schools.

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KCSS Reunification Resources

KCSS – Find links to useful resources including parent information resources, verification card, sample reunion plan, sample forms and other information.

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Disaster Hero Activity

Common Sense Media review – If there is a scheduled tornado drill or other form of disaster drill, teachers can prepare kids first by letting them play through this game. Teachers could require their students to complete all the missions and print out the certificate, which they could then take home. Additionally, for teachers who have a weather unit or curricula that include talking about previous natural disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes, Disaster Hero can augment that discussion to give kids a sense of what they can do if something similar ever happens where they live.

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Ready Kids Curriculum

Ready.gov/kids – Between classes, testing, and ever-changing requirements, educators know that bringing disaster readiness into the classroom can be challenging. That’s why FEMA educational resources were designed with flexibility in mind. These resources are appropriate for students from pre-kindergarten to high school. Student Tools for Emergency Planning (STEP), for grades four and five, and Teen Community Emergency Response Team (Teen CERT), for high school, include lesson plans that can be expanded and adapted for core classes and electives. 

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Ready Kids Disaster Dodgers Video

Ready.gov/kids – This video teaches youth the difference between a disaster, emergency, and hazard. Children will also learn what types of emergencies to prepare for and what to do in order to prepare for them.

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KY Safe Schools Week 2023
KY Safe Schools Week 2023 Administrator Checklist Showing Kindness

Bullying Prevention Checklist

Jon Akers, Executive Director of KCSS, offers suggestions for principals to consider when establishing bullying/harassment standards within their respective schools. This is not an all-inclusive list…but it is a good start for principals to reflect and act accordingly. (KCSS Handout) 

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RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS FOUNDATION

Kindness in the Classroom® is a CASEL approved, highly effective, evidence-based, social emotional learning curriculum used all over the world, with focuses on equity, teacher self-care, digital citizenship and kindness.

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Caring as Classroom Practice

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 resource image NCSS Caring Classroom Practice SELK-2 Caring for students requires more than a style of interaction. Children need real opportunities to develop their cognitive, social-emotional, and moral domains. “Five Strategies for Creating Caring” are included for teacher to use with their students.

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Games that Teach Sharing

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 resource image PBS Games Teach SharingKET and Arthur teach sharing skills to young children. Whether it is playing in a group or using various activities to help kids develop the ability and willingness to share these games will support growth skills.

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Books About Sharing

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 resource image Common Sense Media Books SharingCommon Sense Media for students PreK-2.  Learning to share can be tough for both siblings and friends. But sharing is a skill kids need for the classroom, the playground, and getting along at home. These books show — gently and with humor — how it’s done.

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9 Tips for Teaching Kindness in the Classroom

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 resource image PBS 9 Tips for Teaching Kindness

Fostering a culture of kindness enhances the connections made peer-to-peer and student to teacher. Carving out time to intentionally promote kindness cultivates empathy and understanding between individuals, leading to deeper relationships. One of the best ways to teach kindness in the classroom is to model being kind.

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Prevent Bullying and Show Kindness-Kindness Catcher

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 resource image Pacer Prevent Bullying

National Bullying Prevention Center shows (upper elementary) students how to make a “Kindness Catcher” – A fun way to gather ideas for being kind to others in a game format. Other activities are also located on this site.

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KCSS SEL Website Page

KCSS – This page includes some resources that are available that will hopefully help promote and incorporate empathy in your lessons as you make it an integral part of each school day. When others’ feelings become important their safety and well-being will be a priority. Resources listed include lessons, activities, kits, handouts, PowerPoints, videos and more.

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“Kindness Counts” Bookmarks

Bookmarks are fun and they are a great way to encourage students with a theme. This Seuss-inspired bookmark is for early elementary and rhymes. It promotes kindness and sharing. Every day, let’s enjoy reading and show kindness, helping make our schools a great place to learn and grow.

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Show Kindness Videos

SSI Bullying Website Image Foundation Better Life videosThe Foundation for a Better Life creates public service campaigns to communicate positive values. “Locker” – In this motivational commercial a boy is accosted by bullies at school, but pleasantly surprised when he is helped by another student. This models a positive example of reaching out to someone else in need. “Cafeteria” – Girls are sometimes more verbally aggressive and this commercial shows how a new student is mistreated, just because she is new. On a positive note, she is rescued by a student doing the right thing by making a choice to treat her with respect.

Cyber Bullying - Kindness

NetSmartz – 20-30% of kids report having been cyberbullied in their lifetime. Resources to help deal with cyberbullying – such as “Cyberbullying Unplugged (PDF)”.

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INTERNET KINDNESS

(KCSS) (From the Ad Council-YouTube videos)

The Kitchen (video) Writing Prompt (handout)
Talent Show (video) Writing Prompt (handout)
Bulletin Board (video) Writing Prompt (handout)
Everyone Knows Your Name (video) Writing Prompt (handout)
General Writing Prompt (handout)

Learn R.E.S.P.E.C.T. with the WonderGrove Kids!

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 resource image YouTube Learn RespectThis WonderGrove Kids Video emphasizes respect on the playground for elementary school aged students. Treating others with respect is so important. The kids and this video explain how others should be treated.

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A Bad Case of Bullying: Using Literature Response Groups

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 resource image Read-Write-Think Bad Case BullyingThis lesson for 3-5 graders provides an opportunity for students to reflect upon and personally relate to a teacher read-aloud of a narrative story. The lesson could be used with other stories; however, A Bad Case of Stripes allows for a personal connection by having students reflect on similar situations or emotions in their own lives. 

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Getting Along

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 resource image KidsHealth Getting Along KidsHealth in the Classroom – Family, friends, and teachers are a big part of kids’ lives. My brother and I fight over pretty much everything — what games to play, what shows to watch, who.

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Thinkfinity- High Interest Novels Teaching Respect

School Safety Issues Bullying Website ThinkfinitySix 90-minute sessions for 9-12 graders. Using a realistic, high-interest novel (The Bully by Paul Langan) and interactive reading strategies, students discuss many issues that surround bullying and consider what they themselves can do to prevent bullying.

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CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING

What a Culture of Caring Looks Like in Early Childhood Classrooms – A commitment to fostering an environment of caring can promote learning in culturally diverse pre-K to 2 classrooms. Caring relationships are motivated by mutual empathy, based on the understanding and recognition of others and their needs. In the early learning classroom, caring is present in the relationship between children and teacher: Teachers respond to children’s needs and interests when they adapt and design a differentiated curriculum.

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KY Safe Schools Week 2023
KY Safe Schools Week 2023 Administrator Checklist Being a Good Digital Citizen

DEVICE ADVICE: ONBOARDING FOR SCHOOL-ISSUED DEVICES

Common Sense Media – Help students get ready to use tech for learning in the classroom. Whether it’s their first-ever school-issued device or they’re seasoned tech wizards, it’s always helpful to remind students about responsible tech use. From device care to practicing active listening and avoiding device distractions, these quick lessons will help you set up a positive culture for learning with tech in the classroom. Check out the Device Advice Pacing Guide for implementation tips, curricular connections, and FAQs.

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DIGITAL WELL-BEING: MIDDLE SCHOOL LESSONS

Common Sense Media – Research-based lessons to support students’ social-emotional learning and digital well-being. Media and tech have a way of magnifying the stress that young people face on a daily basis. But why is that the case? And more importantly, what can they do about it (besides just taking a break from their phones)? Support students’ digital well-being with this set of evidence-based lessons. Each is designed to help them build agency, reduce anxious thoughts, and increase mindfulness related to their tech habits. This collection was co-developed by Common Sense Education and the Center for Digital Thriving at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Check out the Digital Well-Being Pacing Guide for implementation tips, curricular connections, and FAQs.

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DIGITAL WELL-BEING: HIGH SCHOOL LESSONS

Common Sense Media – Research-based lessons to support students’ social-emotional learning and digital well-being. Media and tech have a way of magnifying the stress that young people face on a daily basis. But why is that the case? And more importantly, what can they do about it (besides just taking a break from their phones)? Support students’ digital well-being with this set of evidence-based lessons designed to help them build agency, reduce anxious thoughts, and increase mindfulness related to their tech habits. This collection was co-developed by Common Sense Education and the Center for Digital Thriving at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Check out the Digital Well-Being Pacing Guide for implementation tips, curricular connections, and FAQs.

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Lesson Plans - NetSmartz

SSW 2020 Resource Image NetSmartzAll NetSmartz lesson plans can be tailored to meet multiple Common Core and ISTE … NetSmartzKids.org while learning about the four rules of Internet safety and netiquette. Being kind online begins with kind words and support. Learning that what is sent online affects others in both good and bad ways. Be careful what you write.

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Cyberbullying Research Center

SSI Cyber Bullying Website Image Cyberbullying Research CenterThe Cyberbullying Research Center is dedicated to providing up-to-date information about the nature, extent, causes, and consequences of cyberbullying among adolescents.

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INTERNET KINDNESS

(KCSS) (From the Ad Council-YouTube videos)

The Kitchen (video) Writing Prompt (handout)
Talent Show (video) Writing Prompt (handout)
Bulletin Board (video) Writing Prompt (handout)
Everyone Knows Your Name (video) Writing Prompt (handout)
General Writing Prompt (handout)

TIKTOK HANDOUT

Family Pairing features let parents link their TikTok account to their teen’s to
enable a variety of content, privacy, and well-being settings. (KCSS Handout)

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SELFIES AND SELF ESTEEM

Taking a picture of yourself and posting it has become a virtual phenomena. Celebs are doing it, athletes are doing it and the President is doing it! (KCSS Handout)

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SEXTING HANDOUT

Sending sexually explicit messages, photos, or videos via cell phone, computer, or any digital device. Sexting may include photos and videos containing nudity or showing simulated or real sex acts. It also includes text messages that discuss or propose sex acts or other sexually explicit exchanges. (KCSS Handout)

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Cyber Bullying - Kindness

NetSmartz – 20-30% of kids report having been cyberbullied in their lifetime. Resources to help deal with cyberbullying – such as “Cyberbullying Unplugged (PDF)”.

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FBI Safe Online Surfing

SSW 2020 Resource Image FBI Safe Online SurfingFBI-SOS is a free, fun, and informative program that promotes cyber citizenship by educating students in third to eighth grades on the essentials of online security. Students will learn skills to keep them cyber safe in a game format. There is a game for each grade level promoting safe surfing online especially while students have more time online at home. (English and Spanish)

Website

Stopbullying.gov

SSW 2020 Resource Image Stopbullying.govThe Stopbullying.gov site has content for both kids and adults: Twelve animated webisodes (1-2 min) on how kids deal with bullies at their school (with discussion questions); bullying games; facts about bullying for kids; videos on how to deal with bullying; and what kids can do if they see bullying. Digital Awareness for Parents – StopBullying.gov – The digital world is constantly evolving with new social media platforms, apps, and devices, and children and teens are often the first to use them. Some negative things that may occur include cyberbullying, sexting, posting hateful messages or content, and participating in negative group conversations

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Cyberbullying Fact Sheet

SSW 2020 Resource Image Cyberbullying Research CenterCyberbullying Fact Sheet: Identification, Prevention, and Response – Cyberbullying Research Center – Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2020). A guide to help educators/parents/guardians spot cyberbullying be respectful and show kindness to everyone during this transitional time. This fact sheet also addresses how to respond appropriately.

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Lesson Plan for Elementary School Children

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is designed to improve peer relations and make schools safer, more positive places for students to learn and develop.

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Pacer Middle/High Videos

SSI Bullying Website Image Pacer National Bullying Prevention CenterPacer – Classroom Toolkits – There are activities for younger students, as well as middle and high school. Also, a student created toolkit is listed with videos, music and artwork designed by students for other students to use.  This is a great way to create a dialogue with your class.  They can be the solution and a superhero as they work together to stop bullying.

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KCSS Cyber Bullying Website Page

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 KCSS CyberbullyingKCSS – Cyber bullying involves the use of information and technology such as e-mail, instant messaging, the publishing of defamatory personal websites, and online personal polling websites that are used to support conscious, willful, deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by one or more people with the intent to harm others. Online harassment or threatening is Cyber bullying and it is on the rise.

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KCSS Internet Safety Website Page

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 KCSS Internet SafetyKCSS – The Internet is a wonderful tool which puts the world and all its information at our fingertips. Much of this information has been available for a long time through public library access or other means. Indeed, many of these sites have been in operation for a number of years.

However, this ease of access is paving the way for massive growth in Internet-based crime such as identity theft and predators. Most of these sites also provide an opt-out feature for you to remove or manage what information is available, though it may take some clicking around to locate it. 

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KCSS Social Networking Website Page

KCSS – Social networking has become the “get to know your friends” means of communication for the majority of teen students today. Because of the anonymity of this global resource, areas of concern reach a higher level of danger. As students share their life through this open to the world means of communication the chances of problems escalate. Not only is there a freedom of expression but it seems it is a new avenue to push acceptance or non-acceptance to a realm that is really inconceivable with extreme consequences. Below are resources to help educate and prepare students in this ever-evolving area of communication.

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Thinkfinity- High Interest Novels Teaching Respect

School Safety Issues Bullying Website ThinkfinitySix 90-minute sessions for 9-12 graders. Using a realistic, high-interest novel (The Bully by Paul Langan) and interactive reading strategies, students discuss many issues that surround bullying and consider what they themselves can do to prevent bullying.

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Counselors & Media Specialists Bullying Book Discussion Guide

SSI Bullying Website Image Scholastic Discussion GuideIncludes Connections to Common Core State Standards @ RHTeachersLibrarians.com. School Counselor, Laura Barbour has taught and counseled children from preschool through high school and presently works as an elementary professional school counselor at Stafford Primary School in West Linn, Oregon. (Random House Inc)

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A Frill a Minute - Video

SSI Bullying Website Image PBS Frill a MinuteIn this Dinosaur Train episode, the Pteranodon kids and Tank Triceratops play games at Big Pond, where they discuss the purpose of Tank’s frill, and outsmart a bully. They learn that Tank’s frill is a defense mechanism which makes the Triceratops look threatening to potential predators. (Stream Only)

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KY Safe Schools Week 2023
KY Safe Schools Week 2023 Administrator Checklist Empowering/Unity

Trauma-Informed Toolkit

SSW 2020 Resource Image Understanding Trauma and Traumatic Stress KDEKRS 158.4416 requires KDE to make available a toolkit that includes guidance, strategies, behavioral interventions, practices, and techniques to assist school districts and in developing a trauma-informed approach in schools. The following tools are designed to assist in this process:

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TEACHER'S GUIDE: EMPATHY (GRADES 3 TO 5)

SSI Empathy Website Image Kids HealthKidsHealth in the Classroom – Students will: Comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health. Demonstrate the ability to access valid information and products and services to enhance health. Demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.

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SOURCES OF STRENGTH

Sources of Strength for Middle/High schools is a peer-led, evidence-based, mental health wellness program that utilizes the power of peer social networks to change unhealthy norms and cultures.

The elementary program utilizes a curriculum-based approach and keeps an upstream focus to increase health and wellness and decrease negative downstream outcomes by using active learning, talking circles, guided reflection and celebrating growth.

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S.T.O.P.! Tipline - Safe School Reporting Tool

SSW 2020 Resource Image S.T.O.P.! Tipline Logo(Kentucky Office of Homeland Security) – Use this tip line (or call 1-866-393-6659) to report concerns of any kind, whether it be at home or at school. You may report anonymously, or choose to be contacted. This is a free service for all Kentuckians.

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TRAUMA-INFORMED, RESILIENCE-ORIENTED SCHOOLS TOOLKIT

National Center for School Safety – A toolkit outlining a framework for implementing Trauma-Informed, Resilience-Oriented (TR) approaches in schools and school districts.

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Handle With Care Notification System

SSW 2020 Resource Image Handle with CareHandle With Care (HWC) is the notification system described in the School Safety & Resiliency Act where schools and districts are required to collaborate with law enforcement to create procedures for notification of a student who has been trauma-exposed as part of the plan for implementing a trauma-informed approach in schools. The Kentucky State Police (KSP) have implemented a notification system that is now active statewide. The information below has been provided to us by KSP regarding implementation of the HWC program. Watch Video

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Bark Monitoring Tool for Schools

SSW 2020 Resource Image BarkBark – Bark for Schools provides a FREE world-class online safety solution for K-12 schools in the U.S. Our comprehensive solution comprises G Suite and Office 365 student account monitoring, Chrome/Chromebook monitoring, and a web content filter that categorizes and blocks harmful and inappropriate domains. Parents for a nominal fee Bark is available to you, also!

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Telling vs. Tattling

When talking with your students use this handout. Everyone needs to know the difference between telling and tattling. Review these in classrooms and place them on the wall to refer to every now and then.  (KCSS Handout)

Download

FREE Hotline: What You Can Do to Help End Bullying

SSI Bullying Website Image Suicide Prevention LifelineWhile bullying doesn’t cause suicide, a stressful environment and persistent, emotional victimization can increase a person’s risk of suicide. Together, we can create awareness about the dangers of bullying and give emotional support to those who may be contemplating suicide. If you or someone you know is in an emotional distress or suicidal crisis, please call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) 

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KCSS SEL Website Page

KCSS – This page includes some resources that are available that will hopefully help promote and incorporate empathy in your lessons as you make it an integral part of each school day. When others’ feelings become important their safety and well-being will be a priority. Resources listed include lessons, activities, kits, handouts, PowerPoints, videos and more.

Website

GLOBAL GAME CHANGERS STUDENT EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM

Global Game Changers is a project-based program that provides teacher-tested, evidence-based, FREE Pre-K – 5th grade curriculum and resources that use service learning and talent development as tools to nurture children’s social, emotional, leadership, and academic growth. With a motto to IGNITE GOOD!®, the lessons use a simple equation: MY TALENT + MY HEART = MY SUPERPOWER!® to lay the foundation for nurturing engaged and successful citizens and leaders. Students explore their hearts, uncover their true talents and develop the self-confidence they need to succeed in life. (Free)

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Green Dot

Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs, Inc. (KASAP) – Green Dot is an evidence-based primary prevention program designed to teach participants safe ways to intervene in situations of bullying, dating violence, and sexual harassment and assault. The program includes two components: the Overview Speech and the Bystander Training.

Learn more

Bystanders to Bullying

StopBullying.gov – Someone who witnesses bullying, either in person or online, is a bystander. Friends, students, peers, teachers, school staff, parents, coaches, and other youth-serving adults can be bystanders. With cyberbullying, even strangers can be bystanders.

Learn more

Becoming an Upstander to Bullying Just Got Easier!

StopBullying.gov – Don’t be a bystander when it comes to bullying. Be an Upstander! StopBullying.gov has new resources to help you safely upstand to bullying. For example, StopBullying.gov’s new Bystander Fact Sheet details the different roles bystanders play in stopping or enabling the bullying behavior. StopBullying.gov has also released the new Become an Upstander to Bullying video online to view and share – they are available on the StopBullying.gov YouTube channel in English and Spanish.

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Bystanders are Essential to Bullying Prevention and Intervention

StopBullying.gov – Bullying can have significant mental, developmental, and social effects, which is why it is a public health concern. When it comes to prevention many people can take an active role to intervene – especially bystanders. A bystander to bullying is anyone who witnesses bullying either in person or in digital forms like social media, websites, text messages, gaming, and apps. When bullying occurs, bystanders are present 80 percent of the time. A bystander has the potential to make a positive difference in a bullying situation, particularly for the youth who is being bullied. 

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Bystander Video

StopBullying.gov – One in five children in the United States experience bullying where a peer harasses, humiliates, or threatens repeatedly. Bullying can have negative psychological, physical, and academic effects. To learn more about bullying prevention visit Stopbullying.gov. 

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KY Safe Schools Week 2023 Website

KCSS Bullying Website Page

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 KCSS BullyingKCSS – Bullying prevention strategies and resources. Bullying is a devastating form of abuse that can have long-term effects on its victims, lowering their self-esteem, isolating them from others and even prompting health problems. 

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KCSS Cyber Bullying Website Page

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 KCSS CyberbullyingKCSS – Cyber bullying involves the use of information and technology such as e-mail, instant messaging, the publishing of defamatory personal websites, and online personal polling websites that are used to support conscious, willful, deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by one or more people with the intent to harm others. Online harassment or threatening is Cyber bullying and it is on the rise.

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KCSS SEL Website Page

KCSS – This page includes some resources that are available that will hopefully help promote and incorporate empathy in your lessons as you make it an integral part of each school day. When others’ feelings become important their safety and well-being will be a priority. Resources listed include lessons, activities, kits, handouts, PowerPoints, videos and more.

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KCSS School Violence Website Page

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 KCSS School ViolenceKCSS – School violence can be prevented. Research shows that prevention efforts – by teachers, administrators, parents, community members, and even students – can reduce violence and improve the overall school environment. No one factor in isolation causes school violence, so stopping school violence involves using multiple prevention strategies that address the many individual, relationship, community, and societal factors that influence the likelihood of violence.

Prevention efforts should ultimately reduce risk factors and promote protective factors at these multiple levels of influence. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

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KCSS Internet Safety Website Page

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 KCSS Internet SafetyKCSS – The Internet is a wonderful tool which puts the world and all its information at our fingertips. Much of this information has been available for a long time through public library access or other means. Indeed, many of these sites have been in operation for a number of years.

However, this ease of access is paving the way for massive growth in Internet-based crime such as identity theft and predators. Most of these sites also provide an opt-out feature for you to remove or manage what information is available, though it may take some clicking around to locate it. 

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KCSS Social Networking Website Page

KCSS – Social networking has become the “get to know your friends” means of communication for the majority of teen students today. Because of the anonymity of this global resource, areas of concern reach a higher level of danger. As students share their life through this open to the world means of communication the chances of problems escalate. Not only is there a freedom of expression but it seems it is a new avenue to push acceptance or non-acceptance to a realm that is really inconceivable with extreme consequences. Below are resources to help educate and prepare students in this ever-evolving area of communication.

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KCSS Resources Website Page

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 KCSS ResourcesKCSS – The KCSS Resource Center locates and evaluates information regarding school safety practices from KCSS research, national databases, the Internet, education journals and other resources to keep the KCSS and the citizens of Kentucky on top of current information and trends.

Various handouts, reports and links are provided assisting interested school personnel, law enforcement officers and school safety conscious community members.

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KCSS Lockdown Website Page

SSW KY Safe Schools Week 2021 KCSS LockdownKCSS – There are several variations of addressing lockdown procedures when considering the school setting. This page includes several ideas that may assist in developing a “lockdown” protocol in a school community. It is highly recommended that school officials consult with local law enforcement officials to cooperatively develop this protocol.

View current suggestions: “Considerations When Developing a School Lockdown Policy”

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KCSS Emergency Guide Website Page

KCSS – More so now than ever before, schools are faced with ongoing challenges. They must be prepared for a wide range of emergency situations from natural disasters to threats of violence. Although schools may have established procedures for dealing with many emergency situations, many do not have these protocols collected in a coordinated, concise manner that are reviewed annually. The 2023 revision of the Emergency Management Resource Guide is designed to assist during the planning stage both at the school and district levels.

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