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Kentucky Safe Schools Week 2020

The Kentucky Center for School Safety announces Kentucky Safe Schools Week, is set for October 18- 24, 2020.
This year's theme is “HEALTHY HABITS, Shield Our Schools!”

Incorporating healthy practices daily, such as wearing masks, washing hands, social distancing and being kind (both in person and online) can become healthy habits as schools continue to strive for academic excellence and provide a safer place to learn.

Join us, as we practice healthy habits and encourage kindness in our school culture.
KY Safe Schools Week
Kentucky Safe Schools Week!
“HEALTHY HABITS, Shield Our Schools!”

KY Safe Schools Week ToolkitKy Center for School Safety is proud to provide this Kentucky Safe Schools Week Toolkit. The toolkit details the resources available online for your school to participate in Ky Safe School Week. This school year is extraordinary in so many ways, hopefully the resources/materials provided (and the campaign itself), reflects current need as we work together to ensure a healthy in-school and online learning environment. You will find lessons, videos, posters, scenarios, interactive websites and the Healthy Habit Safety Pledge. Download for KY Safe Schools Week Toolkit

KY Safe Schools Week Daily Announcements

Healthy Habits Safety Pledge Map



KCSS thanks all who are participating in the online Healthy Habits Safety Pledge across Kentucky

Click Here to Take the Healthy Habits Safety Pledge
Click Here to Check Your County's Statistics

KY Safe Schools Week Photo Highlights



Educators, Students and Parents, and Community



Resources to include in your lessons or planning for creating a safer environment in your school.
Healthy Habits: 1,2,3 Healthy Habits: You and Me Healthy Habits: School Safety

Healthy Habits 1, 2, 3



1: Wash Your Hands

When and How to Wash Your Hands: Follow Five Steps to Wash When and How to Wash Your Hands: Follow Five Steps to Wash Your Hands the Right Way – CDC - Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another …


Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives – CDC - (6 Videos) - Watch these videos to learn how to keep yourself healthy by washing your hands the right way. (English, Spanish and French)



Did You Wash Your Hands? Did You Wash Your Hands? – CDC - (Poster) - Students: Let's work together to stop the spread of COVID-19. …These printable posters can be used to help raise awareness about handwashing in highly visible public areas, such as schools, workplaces, and restrooms. They are designed for all audiences, and some are available in multiple sizes and languages, and can be ordered for free via CDC-Info on Demand.

2: Wear Your Mask

Guidance on Safety Expectations and Best Practices for Kentucky Schools Team Kentucky | Guidance on Safety Expectations and Best Practices for Kentucky Schools - Kentucky.gov - Develop school plans with language to address respiratory etiquette and protection. Face masks prohibit spread of the virus even when the infected person is without symptoms: Students who are enrolled in first grade and above and staff should be required to wear a cloth face covering, unless … . These safety expectations align with the policies published by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the World Health Organization. Plans tailored to elementary, middle and high schools should be considered. (pg. 10 -13)

Guidance for K-12 School Administrators on the Use of Cloth Face Coverings in Schools Guidance for K-12 School Administrators on the Use of Cloth Face Coverings in Schools – CDC - …Cloth face coverings are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the cloth face covering coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. Cloth face coverings are an example of source control. …

How to Help Students Get Used to Masks How to Help Students Get Used to Masks: In many places, students returning to school buildings will be required to wear masks. These strategies can help elementary students adjust. – Edutopia - STRATEGIES FOR STARTING THE YEAR IN MASKS - 1. A calming bag: Tangible items such as Band-Aids, mints, a personal note or encouraging sticker, extra pencils, etc. can often feel comforting when someone notices our fears or worries. … Face masks and superhero powers: This is a new focused attention practice designed around masks. Ask students what superhero they are, and ask them all to create a power pose. …

Meet the Helpers Meet the Helpers - PBS - This is a great time to talk to children about what is happening, and empower them to be helpers to keep ... Wearing a Mask Helps Stop the Spread of Germs.



3: Social Distancing

Guidance on Safety Expectations and Best Practices for Kentucky Schools Team Kentucky | Guidance on Safety Expectations and Best Practices for Kentucky Schools – Kentucky.gov - Social distancing will require local school districts to develop unique plans that address the space, workforce, and resources available at each school. These safety expectations align with the policies published by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the World Health Organization. Plans tailored to elementary, middle and high schools should be considered. (pg.7-10)

Meet the Helpers Meet the Helpers - PBS - This is a great time to talk to children about what is happening, and empower them to be helpers to keep ... Explaining Social Distancing - Social distancing is necessary to stay healthy from coronavirus, but can be difficult for children to understand.


Helping Kids Understand Social Distancing Helping Kids Understand Social Distancing – KinderCare - Educational activities to help children understand social distancing. … Use a measuring tape or a yardstick to measure six feet of ribbon or string. Place it on the floor so everyone can learn how far six feet is. …

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Healthy Habits You and Me



Coronavirus, Online Learning, Social Isolation, and Cyberbullying Coronavirus, Online Learning, Social Isolation, and Cyberbullying : How to Support Our Students – Cyberbullying Research Center - The coronavirus (COVID-19) has taken the world by storm and disrupted so many aspects of our lives. Here are three important considerations… (Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W.)

KY Safe Schools Week Lessons and Web Ideas KY Safe Schools Week Lessons and Web Ideas – Click on this link for a resource page full of web ideas and lessons encouraging kindness and empathy. Resources include KET, KidsHealth in the Classroom, Scholastic, PBS Education, National Bullying Prevention Center, Highlights, etc.

Common Sense Education Common Sense Education – While students are working from home we need to be diligent about online etiquette and cyberbullying issues. There are so many links for lessons, activities, games, etc. about kindness on Common Sense Media. A list of just a few are included, if you are interested in more just click on the link above and search for additional resources.

Common Sense Education We All Teach SEL: Empathy Activities and Tools for Students
We All Teach SEL: Compassion Activities and Tools for Students
Best for Character Development; Our Recommendations for Families
Screen Out the Mean
Introduce students to “DIGITAL PASSPORT™
Cyberbullying and Digital Drama
Cyberbullying: Crossing the Line
Top Games That Teach Empathy
Best Empathy Games, Apps, and Websites for Kids
Games That Support Kindness and Compassion

Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center: Distance Learning During these challenging times, PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center is committed to being a valuable online resource. We are excited to share these free digital resources that you can use to continue engaging your child or student in social and emotional learning.

Stopbullying.gov The 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

Cyberbullying Fact Sheet: Identification, Prevention, and Response Cyberbullying 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.

Lesson Plans - NetSmartz Lesson Plans - NetSmartz  – All 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.

Kindness Counts Bookmarks “Kindness Counts” Bookmarks – Bookmarks are fun and they are a great way to encourage students with a theme. This Suess inspired bookmark is for early elementary and rhymes. It promotes kindness and sharing. Everyday, let's enjoy reading and show kindness, helping make our schools a great place to learn and grow.

FBI Safe Online Surfing FBI Safe Online Surfing - FBI-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)

KCSS Empathy Website Page KCSS Empathy 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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Healthy Habits School Safety



Cleaning, Disinfection, and Hand Hygiene in Schools: A Toolkit for School Administrators Cleaning, Disinfection, and Hand Hygiene in Schools: A Toolkit for School Administrators – CDC -This guidance is intended to aid school administrators as they consider how to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of students, teachers, other school staff, families, and communities and prepare for educating students … These strategies are meant to supplement—not replace—Operating schools during COVID-19: CDC’s Considerations, and any federal, state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which schools must comply.

Strategies for Protecting K-12 School Staff from COVID-19 Strategies for Protecting K-12 School Staff from COVID-19 – CDC - The information on this page provides an expanded focus on the health and safety of K-12 school staff. The strategies also provide workplace safety and health information for administrators related to protecting teachers, substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, janitorial/maintenance staff, office staff, school nutrition staff, school nurses/health professionals, school bus drivers, bus aides, coaching staff and athletic trainers, and music, choir, and performing arts teachers. This list is not exhaustive and addresses only some of the many jobs in schools.

Common Sense Media Common Sense Media addresses top parenting concerns including cyberbullying, cell phone guidelines, character and life skills, etc. Also, the website has independent reviews, age ratings, and other information about all types of media to help assist parents with making choices on various media; TV, movies, apps, games and more.

Bark Monitoring Tool for Schools Bark Monitoring Tool for Schools - Bark - 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!

KnowBullying SAMHSA KnowBullying SAMHSA - KnowBullying, the free app from SAMHSA that can prevent bullying. Research shows that parents and caregivers who spend at least 15 minutes a day talking with their child can build the foundation for a strong relationship and help prevent bullying. SAMHSA’s free KnowBullying app will help you boost your children’s confidence, resilience, and build effective strategies for facing day-to-day activities.

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

Coronavirus page Coronavirus page – Plan, prepare, and respond to coronavirus disease and pandemic. These resources are for both schools and communities which support successful in-person, virtual, and blended instruction. This resource is intended for use as an on-going and growing resource for educators across the Commonwealth in supporting quality instruction wherever students are learning.

Trauma-Informed Toolkit Trauma-Informed Toolkit – KRS 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:
Handle With Care Notification System Handle With Care Notification System – Handle 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

National School Safety CenterSafe Schools Week – National School Safety Center - NSSC includes a list of ideas and activities that may appropriately be introduced during America's Safe Schools Week (Oct. 17-23, 2020). Some of these suggestions may already be part of district or school site programs. Many of these ideas may be initiated and carried out by school-site principals or parents' groups working with local school administrators or by school district public relations directors, working cooperatively with school superintendents and other district administrators.

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