A positive school climate fosters youth development and academic achievement, as well as the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for students to be responsible and productive members of society. All learners want and need to be safe and happy, to be supported, cared for, valued, appropriately challenged, and engaged in ways that support them to reach their maximum potential.

The CPS Safety, Threat Assessment, and Crisis teams work together to develop and implement protocols to keep students and staff safe. All teams meet regularly throughout the year to include and/or review feedback from parents, law enforcement, local first responders, teachers, administrators, mental health professionals, custodians, school nurses, local emergency managers, Information Technology managers, school transportation personnel, and students.

A critical ingredient in the safe school recipe is the uniform classroom response to an incident at school. The Crete Public Schools uses the Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Weather events, fires, accidents, intruders, and other threats to student safety are scenarios planned and trained for by school and district administration and staff. Each school conducts safety drills so that students and staff can learn the procedures and the Safety Team can identify areas to improve. Five specific actions could be performed during an incident.

• Hold! In your room or area

• Lockdown! Locks, Lights, Out of Sight

• Lockout! Secure the perimeter

• Evacuate! To announced location

• Shelter! Followed by the hazard and safety strategy

When a school is in a crisis, parents/guardians are asked to keep a distance so that first responders can work. Parents/guardians are encouraged to follow district media for information updates and how to connect with students. The Crete Public Schools safety and crisis protocols have been reviewed and recognized as outstanding by the Nebraska Department of Education.

For further information regarding the Crete Public Schools Crisis Response Plan, please contact Dr. Melissa Frans, Director of District Safety. Dr. Frans can be reached at 402.826.5855.