The concern for the safety of our families continues to be at the forefront of all of our minds. In the School District of Brown Deer, our top priority is the safety of our students and staff. We want our students and employees to feel physically and psychologically safe and cared for in our schools.
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All building entrances are locked and during the school day, visitors may enter at only one set of doors that lead visitors to the school office.
One aspect of keeping students and faculty safe is knowing who is in our buildings at all times, and the Raptor system will allow us to do that. The Raptor system will allow us to screen visitors, contractors, and volunteers in our schools while providing us with a safer learning environment for our students and staff.
Upon entering a district building, visitors will be asked to present a picture ID such as a Driver’s License, which can either be scanned or manually entered into the system. If a parent or guardian for any reason does not have a US government-issued ID, the school staff member can use any form of identification and manually enter the person’s name into the Raptor system. The Raptor system will check to ensure that registered sexual offenders are not entering our school campuses without our knowledge. The Raptor system checks the visitor's name and date of birth for comparison with a national database of registered sex offenders. The registered sex offender database is the only official database checked by the Raptor system. No other data from the ID is gathered or recorded and the information is not shared with any outside agency. Once entry is approved, Raptor will issue a badge that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of his/her visit. A visitor’s badge will not be necessary for those who visit our schools simply to drop off an item in the office or pick up paperwork.
The School District of Brown Deer has partnered with Gaggle to help support student safety and well-being when using school-provided devices and platforms. Brown Deer high school, middle school and grades 305 of the elementary school will use the Gaggle Safety Management solution to keep watch over content students produce through their school-issued accounts to help us identify those who are in need of help.
Gaggle uses a powerful combination of technology and human intelligence to review students’ use of online tools and provide real-time analysis of potentially concerning behavior or content. Gaggle alerts school officials if students show signs of self-harm, depression, thoughts of suicide, substance abuse, cyberbullying, credible threats of violence against others, or other harmful situations. With Gaggle, Brown Deer is better equipped to proactively identify students who are struggling, provide support where needed, and foster a safer school environment.
The administration in the School District of Brown Deer chose to implement Gaggle because we want to be even more proactive with the prevention of student suicide, bullying, inappropriate behaviors, school violence and other harmful situations. This will be one more tool among many including Guidance Counselors, Socio-Emotional Coaches, School Psychologists and Social Workers to assist our students with navigating a school culture and climate that is conducive to learning every day.
Fire Drills for individual schools will be held on a regular basis. State law requires drills be held monthly. We will do our best to pick the mildest days for these drills.
In the event that circumstances dictate a “take shelter” situation (i.e. tornado), each teacher will escort students to an assigned designated shelter area. Students who are outside the building will be called inside. Tornado drills are held during active tornado months.
In the event that reunification is necessary, families will be directed by school officials to their child's specific location via phone, text, email, local media.
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Students will only be released to parents/guardians who are emergency contacts in Skyward
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Reunification sites are not shared to ensure the safety of students and staff
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The process can be time consuming and family members are urged to be patient
Confidential digital tip line encourages students K-12 to share concerns about bullying, suicide, self-harm, drug or alcohol abuse, school violence, and other safety threats. Tips can be called into voicemail, texted, and emailed anonymously.
District and Building Administration will initiate and implement random locker searches at the Middle and High Schools.
Minga provides a way to increase student engagement and is a digital home for the school community. The high school uses Minga to digitize school IDs and hall passes.
HALO Smart Sensors have been installed in Middle/High School restrooms. This multifunctional detection device provides comprehensive health and safety awareness in school buildings in bathrooms. HALO can monitor noise levels, Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Particulate Concentrations, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in the air. This system can detect and differentiate cigarettes, vaping, nicotine, and THC.
The District's Emergency Plan has been fully updated and approved by the Brown Deer Police Department and the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department. Through their partnership, we have a plan in place for emergencies as they arrive.
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The decision to close schools due to severe winter weather is made using information from the National Weather Service and consulting with surrounding school districts. We will do our best to make the decision by 6 a.m.
Our primary concern is the safety of all students. If you do not believe it is safe for your child to go to school as a result of the weather, it is your right to keep them home.
Possible Inclement Weather Options:
Option #1- Traditional Snow Day- All School District of Brown Deer schools are closed. This option will be used based on the weather event and the District's ability to meet Department of Public Instruction minute requirements.
Option #2- Virtual Learning Day- All School District of Brown Deer schools are closed for in-person learning and students will have a virtual learning day. Students should follow instructions given by their teacher to engage in virtual learning.
Option #3- Early Dismissal- Dismissal time is determined based on weather and communicated to families as quickly as possible.
Option #4- Cancelled After School Activities and Events- If school is held, but inclement weather approaches, the decision to cancel after school events will be made as early as possible. The decision to cancel after school events scheduled at other non-district sites, locations or other schools will be made on a case by case basis together with the hosting school.
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For cold weather, the main indicator is wind chill factor. If the wind chill factor generates a Wind Chill Warning (-35 sustained wind chill), we may close for the day or may consider a delayed start. We will typically hold school when there is a Wind Chill Advisory.
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Delaying or closing school is a decision that is not made lightly. There are many implications so we work to ensure we are making the best decision possible based on the information we have. Start of school may be delayed or schools may be closed if conditions are considered to be dangerous. How we make the decision: We review the predicted weather patterns through various weather websites and news outlets.
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We consult with the National Weather Service.
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We look closely at the timing of the snow/ice, how much is predicted, and how it will impact getting students to/from school.
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We work closely with bus carriers when making this decision. Our staff and/or bus drivers will go out and drive the roads to determine if they are safe and passable.
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We are in conversation with other superintendents in neighboring school districts to compare reports.
Families and staff will receive communication as soon as a decision is made to delay/close school. Please watch closely for a full closure or a switch to remote learning. Families will receive communication of a school delay/closing in several ways.
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We will post the closing on our District Website. A banner notification will appear in red above the rotating images at the top of the District and school websites.
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We will also post the closing on our District Facebook page, and via Twitter.
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We will use our electronic messaging system to call, email, and text families about the change in the school schedule. Opt-in to receive text messages in the event of an emergency such as a school closing or delay.
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Local media will be contacted.
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