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Resources

School Threat Assessment Guide for Parents

When it is determined that there may be a threat of harm to others, whether through an observed action, an overheard comment, a social media post, or through the SafeUT app, members of that school's multidisciplinary safety team will begin the important process of doing a CSTAG threat assessment.

Threat assessment is a problem-solving approach to violence prevention that involves assessment and intervention with students who have threatened violence in some way.

The multidisciplinary teams are not trying to determine whether a student made a threat, but whether a student poses a threat.

learn more about the cstag threat assessment

School Safety & Prevention

Creating a safe learning environment requires preparation, awareness, and collaboration. CCSD implements security measures, emergency protocols, and reporting tools to protect students and staff. Explore the resources below to learn about our safety initiatives, emergency procedures, and how to report concerns through SafeUT.

School Safety Measures

The safety of students and staff is a top priority every day in each school in the Cache County School District. In accordance with the Utah State Board of Education's "Eight Conditions for a Safe School," Cache County School District strives to do the following:

1. Establish a Positive & Supportive School Culture

We are thankful for our team of administrators, teachers, counselors and other school personnel who care for the needs of all students. Their efforts are augmented by student assistance teams that address the needs of those who require extra support. Student-led organizations provide opportunities for peers to lift and look out for one another. The goal is to ensure that each student in our district is known and valued as an individual.

2. Attend to School-Based Mental Health

Cache County School District is taking extensive steps in implementing mental health support for students throughout our schools. Our elementary schools are each equipped with a school counselor that is available for students during school, before and after school hours. Each of our secondary schools is staffed with counselors who are working closely with the district's Project AWARE team and The Family Place to train and implement family facility support for mental health. Our administration, teachers, and staff undergo mental health training through professional development days, mindfulness training with counselors, and training from our resilience team to build a positive culture in each school. Our resilience team is working with Logan Regional Hospital, The Family Place, and Utah State University members to constantly improve each of our school's culture and mental health awareness.

3. Secure Building, Grounds & Transportation

Our district has worked with local law enforcement and dispatch to create a standardized safety plan in case of emergencies. We are continually training our administration and faculty. With the implementation of the DIR-S system, our administration, teachers, faculty, and staff have been trained and undergo frequent drills to plan and prepare for our emergency protocols. Along with the DIR-S system, secure safety features have been added to school doors and more cameras have been added to our schools. Transportation has access to the DIR-S system and will be notified if any school undergoes an emergency protocol. Transportation faculty and staff also undergo frequent safety training and drills.

4. Provide Screening Supports

Currently, the district is working with Bear River Health to implement annual mental health screenings for students ages 12-18 years old. Bear River Health will then have consulting appointments available for any individual or family who is interested in receiving therapy. Our district is also working with Utah State University to form a screening process for teachers and elementary school students.

5. Mitigate Student Safe School Violations

6. Provide Digital Safety Measures

Digital Citizenship is the concept that drives our district safety measures. We strive to empower our students with skills to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly online. Training on resources such as Netsmart and Common Sense Media are taught to the administration, faculty, teachers, parents, and students. Our librarians and media specialists also conduct frequent training on digital safety. Students are taught to avoid and not participate in cyberbullying, sexting, online predation, and giving out personal information online.

7. Develop Community Prevention & Response Partnerships

Here at CCSD, we have developed partnerships with organizations in our community to prevent and better prepare for the safety of our students, faculty, and staff. We value our partnerships and are currently working with many programs throughout the community. Partnerships include local law enforcement, The Family Place, Bear River Health and Bear River Mental Health, Logan Regional Hospital, USU psychology and social work departments, doctors, IHC clinicians, DIR-S, and other local and national safety training.

8. Establish Crisis & Emergency Response Protocols

Our district utilizes the DIR-S Emergency Communication System, which improves the ability of school personnel and law enforcement to communicate in an emergency. When used in conjunction with other established school safety procedures and protocols, this system greatly augments our ability to keep students and school personnel safe. Each school holds regular drills to ensure that staff and students know how to respond to various emergency situations.

Emergency Protocol & Response

HOLD icon

HOLD in your room or area.

SECURE icon

SECURE. Get inside. Lock outside doors.

LOCKDOWN. Locks, lights, out of sight.

SHELTER icon

SHELTER. Hazard and safety strategy.

EVACUATE icon

EVACUATE to an announced location.