If You See Something, Say Something

As per SB11, Sec. 37.220. MODEL THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, districts and charter schools will be required to implement an anonymous reporting process. One example of a free app is “I watch Texas.” The information reported through this app is monitored by the DPS Fusion center in Austin. Information received is then pushed to other regional fusion centers throughout the state to follow-up and work with those impacted by the received threat. Another option is your local Crime Stoppers program.

Local Crime Stoppers Program: https://www.tipsubmit.com/webtipsstart.aspx

Texas Suspicious Activity Reporting Network: iWatchTexas Community Reporting System.

DOWNLOAD THE iWatchTexas APP on your phone/mobile device TODAY!

• has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student's property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student's person or of damage to the student's property;
• is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student;
• materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of a classroom or school, or infringes on the rights of the victim at school.

Source: www.tea.texas.gov

• Stop and think before you say or do something that could hurt someone.
• If you feel like being mean to someone, find something else to do. Play a game, watch TV, or talk to a friend.
• Talk to an adult you trust. They can help you find ways to be nicer to others.
• Keep in mind that everyone is different. Not better or worse. Just different.
• If you think you have bullied someone in the past, apologize. Everyone feels better.

• Look at the kid bullying you and tell him or her to stop in a calm, clear voice. You can also try to laugh it off. This works best if joking is easy for you. It could catch the kid bullying you off guard.
• If speaking up seems too hard or not safe, walk away and stay away. Don’t fight back. Find an adult to stop the bullying on the spot.

• Talk to an adult you trust. Don’t keep your feelings inside. Telling someone can help you feel less alone. They can help you make a plan to stop the bullying.
• Stay away from places where bullying happens.
• Stay near adults and other kids. Most bullying happens when adults aren’t around.

Stand Up for Others

When you see bullying, there are safe things you can do to make it stop.

• Talk to a parent, teacher, or another adult you trust. Adults need to know when bad things happen so they can help.

• Be kind to the kid being bullied. Show them that you care by trying to include them. Sit with them at lunch or on the bus, talk to them at school, or invite them to do something. Just hanging out with them will help them know they aren’t alone.

Not saying anything could make it worse for everyone. The kid who is bullying will think it is ok to keep treating others that way.

School Counseling

Knippa ISD is lucky to a wonderful district counselor, Ms. Erika Esquivel, who does a phenomenal job providing both social emotional and academic support for all students. Our school counselor is available to provide daily check-ins, conflict resolution between friends/classmates, character lessons, and much, much more. If students are in need of additional counseling, we will also work with families to help find the additional support and resources they need.

This year, we will be adding an additional counselor to help support our Rockcushers, as we know this is a difficult time for all. If you have any questions regarding counseling services for your child, please contact Erika Esquivel at 830-934-2176 or erika.esquivel@knippaisd.net. Also, be sure to visit Ms. Esquivel's S'More page, The Rockcrusher Rundown, for resources and school counseling information: https://www.smore.com/bf4qp

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is bullying that involves the use of any electronic communication device, including through the use of a cellular or other type of telephone, a computer, a camera, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, a social media application, an Internet website, or any other Internet-based communication tool.

Source: www.tea.texas.gov

Protect Yourself from Cyberbullying

Bullying does not always happen in person. Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that happens online or through text messages or emails. There are things you can do to protect yourself.

• Always think about what you post. You never know what someone will forward. Being kind to others online will help to keep you safe. Do not share anything that could hurt or embarrass anyone.

• Keep your password a secret from other kids. Even kids that seem like friends could give your password away or use it in ways you don’t want. Let your parents have your passwords.

• Think about who sees what you post online. Complete strangers? Friends? Friends of friends? Privacy settings let you control who sees what.

• Keep your parents in the loop. Tell them what you’re doing online and who you’re doing it with. Let them friend or follow you. Listen to what they have to say about what is and isn’t okay to do. They care about you and want you to be safe.

• Talk to an adult you trust about any messages you get or things you see online that make you sad or scared. If it is cyberbullying,

Like all school districts across the state and across the nation, Knippa ISD has been working hard to secure our campus facilities. We are working in phases to complete several facilities goals we have in place. Just a few of the many safety improvements we have already made include:

• Upgraded camera system

• New cameras installed around campus

• Improved Perimeter Fencing & Installation of emergency exit gates

• Automatic gates at east & west side entrances

• Automatic locking device on main building front entrance door

• Camera & buzz-in entry system on main building front entrance door

Mental Health is a Top Priority

Mental health is just as important as physical health and in today's world, kids need all the support they can get. We are working hard to increase access to mental health support in our district. We currently have one district counselor on staff. This year we are adding a second counselor.

School counselors are available daily to provide daily check-ins, academic & emotional support, conflict resolution between friends/classmates, character lessons, and much, much more.

Contact our school counselors for more information or visit their department page on our school website.

Rhithm App

We are also extremely excited about a new online check-in tool called the Rhithm App which will be available on all 1st-12th grade student devices. Students will be able to utilize this tool to check in daily, to access mindfulness/anxiety reducing strategies. Please contact Erika Esquivel for more information at erika.esquivel@knippaisd.net.

When We Work Together, Students Win!

While we are unable to share everything that we are doing to avoid compromising the integrity of our Emergency Operations Plan, we did put together a safety Compact to share information regarding our commitment to you. Please see attachment:

While we are unable to share everything that we are doing to avoid compromising the integrity of our Emergency Operations Plan, these are some of the district safety protocols that are currently in place:

• Fall safety walk through of entire campus by district administration team

• Weekly Admin meetings/conferences on campus safety

• Monthly staff meetings - Including campus safety updates/discussion

• Increased law enforcement presence

• Implementation of School Threat protocol

• Implementation of anonymous reporting app on school website

• Implementation of Standard Response Protocol safety measures

• Implementation of Critical Incident Response Protocol in conjunction with surrounding schools

• Implementation of best practices for safety in portable instructional buildings

• District-wide emergency notification system

Teacher & Staff Training is extremely important. You can rest a little easier knowing that your Knippa Teachers & Staff have received the following trainings:

• Local law enforcement trainings

• School Threat Assessment Process training

• School Threat Assessment Protocol Implementation Training - District Team Members

• Standard Response Protocol safety training

• Stop the Bleed training - Completed annually to achieve 100% completion rate of all staff

• CPR/First Aid/AED training - Completed annually to achieve 100% staff completion rate of all staff

• Youth Mental Health First Aid training - Completed annually to achieve 100% staff completion rate of all staff

• Critical Incident Response training - District Team Members

• De-escalation training

• Best practices for Safety in Portable Instructional buildings

• Digital Threat Assessment training

• District-wide emergency notification system training