School emergencies can happen at any time in schools across the country. Making sure that plans are in place is vital to ensure the safety of students and staff. The Newell School District is committed to the safety and well-being of the students and staff proactively. Newell is a small rural school district that could be compromised in an emergency, with the extended time it takes for emergency services to arrive. The emergency plan is in place to meet accountability and security expectations in our district.
All staff will be trained this school year with Crisis Prevention Interventions (CPI). CPI training focuses on de-escalation techniques and behavior management. Staff will be able to identify stages of anxiety, defensiveness, acting out, and tension. The reduction techniques will identify and manage escalating behaviors.
Newell School District currently employs a staff member who is deputized through the Butte County Sheriff's Office. The staff member has twenty-two years of experience in law enforcement before coming to Newell. The deputized staff member is employed among us and will be working directly with the Butte County Sheriff’s office to maintain heightened security, including situations most critical to our safety.
This past school year, Newell School District participated in a safety and security review with Brett Garland, Director of South Dakota School Safety. This review will identify areas of strength and areas for improvement for staff and students. The District has submitted a Homeland Security Grant to update the access doors in all structures. A Behavior Threat Assessment Team is organized within the staff and will review the needs of the district.
Law enforcement will be contacted if a person enters the campus and threatens staff or students. To maintain the integrity of the instructional process and the safety of our staff and students, any volatile and threatening disruption will be taken seriously. Verbal and physical contact from an unwanted visitor will be investigated by the Butte County Sheriff's Office.
All staff and students in the Newell School District have a right to a safe and secure learning environment. Being proactive with a plan in place is critical. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Dr. Pandi Pittman.