Safety has always been and will always be a priority in Cabarrus County Schools. We are unwavering in our commitment to providing our students and staff with a safe learning and working environment so our staff and students can focus on teaching and learning.

Through long-standing partnerships with the Concord Police Department, Kannapolis Police Department and the Cabarrus County Sherriff’s Department, we have school resource officers (SROs) in all of our schools. Among their many responsibilities, our SROs assess and investigate threats to our school communities. We take every threat seriously and investigate each one thoroughly.

It's important to remember that hoax threats are not a joke, and they can have devastating consequences—both for the public and for the perpetrators. Issuing a hoax threat—even over social media, via text message, or through e-mail—can be a federal crime. For more information, click here.

SAFETY CHECKS

One of the newest measures to be implemented in the district will be random Safety Checks using metal detectors at our middle and high schools. The random use of metal detectors is another layer of our safety protocols. We want to deter students from bringing weapons and inappropriate items to school and believe these devices will help us to do that. Before we begin using the devices, school staff will receive training, and we will talk with students about what to expect during these Safety Checks and how important it is for them to cooperate during them. The Safety Checks will begin in phases this spring with plans to complete implementation in secondary schools this fall.

DIGITAL SAFETY

Parents and staff from several elementary schools throughout the district have reported concerns about what is being referred to as the Momo Challenge.  There is some debate as to whether or not this is a hoax or a credible threat to children. The images and videos may be alarming and frightening for many kids. 

While we are unable to verify any instances of this concerning internet challenge occurring locally we would like to provide some on-line safety tips for parents and caregivers:

• Make sure your kids know not to contact adults or people you don’t know on line
• Have your child show you what is on their phone, especially social networking apps
• Keep lines of communication open with children about topics that create  strong unwanted emotional responses
• Restrict access to screen time and discourage use of devices during unsupervised hours
• Have a “check in” time for all electronic devices
• Remind children of the power of negative peer pressure and encourage them to talk to you
   

Parents may consider the resources listed below for further information of supporting kids’ internet safety:

Internet Matters
NASP Online
National Online Safety (international phone number)

In today’s information on-demand society, it is easy to understand why expectations for immediate information about situations exist. We know students begin contacting their parents and sharing information on social media as soon as an incident occurs (or even in real time as it is unfolding) – a result of the times in which we live. However, this can lead to incomplete and often times incorrect information being conveyed.

• As a district, we want to ensure we are communicating complete and accurate information to parents, the media and our community. Once we have resolved a situation or have secured the safety of our students and staff, we will communicate as quickly as we can. This response includes the return to normal operations, reunification of students with parents (if necessary), as well as communication with parents, staff and the media.
• During emergency situations such as lockdowns or school evacuations, our priority is ensuring the safety of our students and staff and securing our campuses. Most times, we will not communicate until the situation is resolved.
• We must account for hundreds of students – some who need assistance and equipment in order to be moved – as well as, all staff members.
• We also are working with law enforcement, following their instructions as they work to keep us safe, maintain order and in some cases, make clear a path for us to physically move people from one location to another.

Our district has experienced threats. Both real and prank. We are grateful for the assistance law enforcement has provided in assessing, identifying and resolving them.

Prank threats, regardless of the manner in which they are made, are crimes. They divert law enforcement’s time and attention from serving the needs of those in our community who really are experiencing an emergency and need help. Students who share prank posts and spread rumors about pranks can be just as accountable as the person who initiated it. 

If a student, parent, or community member becomes aware of a threat, it is important to speak up. Immediately, do the following:

• Tell a responsible adult (parent, police officer, teacher, school administrator)
• Never repost or share the threat on social media or other online platforms
• Remember that time is of the essence – reporting the threat immediately allows the investigation of its validity to begin
• See Something, Say Something – Sandy Hook Promise Resources

• In addition to having SROs in our buildings, we have established safety protocols and procedures
  • security vestibule plan – access control
  • a visitor registration system
  • security cameras on campuses and school buses
  • bullying and harassment reporting
  • a process for signing students in and out of school
  • mandatory drills and safety audits
  • SAVE Clubs in all of our middle schools (Sandy Hook Promise Information)
  • safety tip line to report safety violations or concerns (Coming Fall 2019)
• Each of our schools has a safety plan that is updated annually and safety audits
• Our district conducts safety drills and additional training throughout the year to ensure that our staff and students know what to do in the event of an emergency or crisis situation
• District-wide safety committee develops and refines safety protocols for the district
• District incident command team manages and coordinates district responses to emergencies and crises