Important School Safety Information for 2024-2025
SRP Language:
NISD will continue use of the Standard Response Protocol that provides common language across campuses and with local law enforcement agencies in the event of a potential threat. Families should review and be familiar with the SRP language as identified on this website below.
Routine Door Checks: Routine checks of all exterior and classroom doors and hardware occur to ensure they are functioning properly. In addition, NISD employs retired law enforcement officers who conduct door checks at all elementary campuses to ensure they are locked and secured.
Mandatory Student ID Use at All High Schools:
All NISD high school students will be required to wear and display student IDs to better permit staff to quickly identify authorized individuals on campus. Middle schools will strongly encourage this same practice. All visitors to any NISD campus will be required to check in at the front office and be prepared to show proper identification.
Mental Health Support:
All NISD campuses are staffed with professional school counselors trained to support the mental health needs of students. NISD also offers specialized mental health services for students needing a higher level of support. These services can be accessed through the campus school counselor.
Metal Detectors:
In conjunction with the NISD Police Dept. canine units, portable metal detectors will be used randomly across the District's secondary campuses.
NISD Police Department:
The NISD Police Dept. is a 100-officer police force. All NISD officers are fully commissioned by the state, adhere to all recertification requirements, and engage in specialized training for their work with children. The dept. includes three canine units who routinely visit campuses and are trained to assist in the detection of illegal substances.
Silent Panic Alert Technology:
All NISD campuses are equipped with silent panic alert technology that, when activated, locks all exterior doors and notifies law enforcement of a potential threat to the campus.
Districtwide Communication:
Northside utilizes School Messenger as the official communication tool when critical information needs to be sent out. Parents are reminded to update and keep current their phone numbers and emails in order to receive any critical messages through this system by contacting front office staff at any of their children's schools. Parents can adjust message preferences by creating an account at: go.schoolmessenger.com
People
- More than 100 fully-commissioned and armed law enforcement officers
- 2 officers at every high school
- 1 officer at every middle school
- Elementary clusters with full-time officer patrolling who can respond in minutes
- Full-time district safety officer
- Dedicated k-9 officer
- District and campus threat assessment teams
- Certified school counselors and health care professionals on staff at each campus
Facilities & Technology
- Bullet-resistant security lobbies
- Access control technology
- Single point entry at every elementary school
- Upgraded and proper-functioning door hardware
- 8,000+ video surveillance cameras that can be monitored live
- State-of-the-art NISD Police department communication center
- Direct communication & collaboration with local law enforcement agencies
- 24/7 NISD Safeline
- Background check system for all visitors
- Silent panic alert technology
- Numbering of all campus exterior doors
Procedures
- Established plans and procedures
- District and campus-specific emergency plans
- Regular training on emergency plans
- Scheduled year-round safety drills
- Required use of photo ID badges by all staff and all high school students
- Use of the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) language
Social Media Awareness
Social media can be a valuable tool when used appropriately. Not everything you read on social media is true. Inaccurate or false information spread on social media can be dangerous and disruptive to a school community.
Students who engage in posting or sharing false or hoax reports will be subject to disciplinary and criminal action (possibly a third degree felony).
See Something, Say Something
Report any threats or troubling social media messages
When reporting a social media post, use the following reporting criteria as a guide:
- What is the exact threat being made? (Exact wording, is it towards a person, campus, or facility?)
- Who are you? (A parent, student, employee, neighbor?)
- Where did you see the threat or who reported the threat to you?
- On which social media platform was the threat posted? (Are they using Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Next Door, Tiktok, a text message, etc?)
- What is the profile name, person's name, phone number of the person making the threat? (Try to get all of this information when reporting the post, especially the profile name. If possible, provide a picture of this information)
- Do you know the person who is posting the threat?
NISD has a 24/7 anonymous tip line where parents and students can report any threats or concerns. SAFELINE (call 210-397-7233 or text safe@nisd.net)
District staff and NISD police take all reports seriously and investigate thoroughly.
