1

Worcester Public Schools

A Collaborative-Proactive Approach

to provide a

Safe Teaching and Learning

Environment

2

Mayor’s Advisory Committeeon At-Risk-Youth

Primary Goal:

To share information and network among each other to prevent and respond to youth issues affecting

the Worcester community

3

Mayor’s Advisory Committee on At-Risk-Youth

MayorSuperintendent City Officials

District Attorney Department of Youth

Services Local Legislators/

Councilors Worcester District

Court

Gang Unit Worcester Juvenile

Court Department of Social

Services Neighborhood Centers Invited Policy and

Elected Government Officials

Committee Members include:

4

Superintendent’s Communication

Protocol Committee

Primary Goal:

To share current information in our community and to coordinate

responses that prevent/deter youth and gang violence in our

schools and community

5

Superintendent’s Communications Protocol

Committee

SuperintendentWorcester Public Schools

Worcester Police DepartmentCommunity Impact Division

Gang Unit

School Safety OfficeWorcester Public Schools

Worcester Juvenile CourtSchool-based

Probation Officer/Liaison

Department of Social Services

District Attorney's Office

Designated Personnelfrom all Secondary Schools

and SecondaryAlternative Programs

Department of Youth Services

Department of Mental Health

Superintendent's Communications Protocol Committee

6

Sharing of Information Protocol Participating

AgenciesGoals: Ensure a safe and secure school environment for all students; to enforce clear and consistent disciplinary actions regarding the illegal uses of: drugs, alcohol, weapons, and violence; and to provide teachers and parents with confidence that there is a consistent, cooperative effort by all officials to provide a safe learning climate in the Worcester Public Schools.

7

Worcester Public SchoolsSharing of Information Protocol

Participating Agencies

WorcesterPublic Schools

Worcester Police

• Community Impact Division

•Gang Unit

Department of Social Services

Department of Youth ServicesDistrict Attorney’s

Office

Worcester Juvenile Court

8

Worcester School Prevention

• School Crisis Response Plans

• School Safety Training Video

• School Safety Audits• School Safety Forums• Health Education

Curriculum• CHINS Attendance

Program• Parent School Safety

Brochure

Safety Initiatives Strategies

• High-Risk Student Interventions

• Anti-Gang Classroom Program

• Sex Offender Registry Information List

• Anger Management Classes• Truancy Intervention

-ESSIP (Elementary/Secondary Intervention Program)-CHINS Attendance Program-Parent Outreach Program (Mandated by Juvenile Court)

9

Intervention

• Threat Protocol in Schools• Student School Safety

Center (from threats made to school personnel and/or to students)-Threat Protocol Response-Transition Program

Strategies

• Specialized Staff Trainings -Physical Restraint Training (Mandated by State DOE)-Non-Violent Crisis Intervention-Critical Incident Stress Management -Bullying Training for Staff

• PBIS –Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports in Elementary and Middle Schools

10

The Student School Safety Center (SSSC)

Referral Process

• Principal is notified that a threat has occurred.• Principal contacts Safety Center staff to assess the situation.• Psychologist/adjustment counselor completes “Student Safety

Assessment (SSA)”; conveys results to principal.• Principal utilizes “SSA” and other information to determine if a

referral to the Student School Safety Center is appropriate.• School Safety Office confirms, with principal, student placement at

the Student School Safety Center.• Within two school days, principal sends the “SSA” narrative to the

School Safety Office.• On the third day of student’s attendance at the SSSC, principal or

designee attends 309 Case Conference.

11

Alternative Education Programs

• Woodward Day Alternative ProgramCentral MA Collaborative(Long-Term Suspended Students)

• Gerald Creamer CenterHigh School Returnee ProgramSchool – Age Mother’s Program(SAMS)

• Challenge and Reach Program(for secondary school students)

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Recent School Safety Initiatives:• Collaboration with Worcester Police Department

and other Public Safety Agencies relative to Juvenile Justice Initiatives:– Emergency Guide for Personnel– Emergency Management Trainings– MMRS (City-Wide Bio-Terrorism Response

Collaborative)

• Connect-ED (system-wide alert to inform parents of school safety incidents/crisis).

• Pandemic Flu Prevention Campaign