Safety Plan Familiarity
While safety plans are due September 1, October is about training and awareness. Staff should have access to the building-level emergency response plan and know their roles in drills and real incidents. If you haven’t reviewed it lately, carve out 10 minutes at your next staff meeting for a quick refresher.
School Climate & DASA
The honeymoon phase is ending — routines are set, and sometimes so are conflicts. This is when bullying and harassment reports tend to rise. Revisit your school’s Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) protocols, and make sure students know how to report concerns safely and confidentially.
Annual Safety Drills
Remember: New York requires 12 drills total each year (8 evacuation, 4 lockdown) with specific spacing. At least 8 must happen by December 31. If your building has only done one or two so far, it’s time to map out the rest of the semester.
