Alvin Dunn Elementary School

Principal’s Safety Assurance Plan

Whitney DeSantis, Principal

Alvin Dunn Elementary’s Safe Schools Plan has the goal of securing the well-being of our students in the event of any concern that might compromise the well-being of our students.  This plan addresses several core safety issues to address this goal.  This plan was written and approved by the Alvin Dunn School Site Council with the goal of designing a safety plan relevant to the needs and resources of the school and its students.  Alvin Dunn is home to approximately 625 students.  Local law enforcement and city officials were consulted during the writing and approval process to assist the administration in designing a safety, disaster, and behavior plan and visit annually to observe our drill routines.  The student population is approximately 83% Hispanic, so all of the rules, procedures, and policies are translated into Spanish to assist both students and parents. 

Three essential components were addressed when writing the plan.  The components are listed below, along with the strategies in place to ensure that student safety is enforced.

Assuring a Safe Physical Environment

·        Disaster plan, procedures and drills are designed and rehearsed to ensure the safety of all students in the event of a disaster or armed intruder.

·        California Education Code and SMUSD Board Policies regarding behavior, suspension and expulsion are communicated to students, parents and staff via parent handbooks, behavior assemblies and staff meetings.

·        Mandated reporting policies on child abuse, dangerous students and sexual harassment are presented verbally and in written form to all members of the staff prior to the school year. 

·        School discipline plans are communicated to students during the opening week of school assemblies and provide students with an understanding of the school rules as well as rewards and consequences. 

·        Visitor policies are communicated and logs are kept to protect the safety of all students.  Student checkout procedures are clearly posted for anyone picking up a child from school prior to dismissal. 

·        The observation policy is provided to all parents who wish to observe in their child’s classroom. 

·        Evacuation procedures are posted on the school website in English and in Spanish to assist parents in the case of a local emergency.

Assuring an Emotionally Nurturing Environment

·        Emotional assistance is provided to those students determined by the Student Support Team as at-risk.

·        Student awards foster achievement, kindness, and citizenship.

·        Safety Patrol provides older children the opportunity to develop responsibility for their younger peers.

·        Students at Alvin Dunn are encouraged to check their behavior with the 3 Personal Standards of:

o       Making Good Choices

o       Being Respectful

o       Solving Problems

Student Resiliency Skills

·        A character traits program for all grades addresses UCLA Coach John Wooden’s Journey to Success via Hard work, Friendship, Loyalty, Cooperation, Enthusiasm, Self-Control, Alertness, Action, Determination, Fitness, Skill, Team Spirit, Poise, Confidence and Personal Best.

·        Red Ribbon Week activities stress drug awareness and a commitment to remain drug free.  An assembly reinforces this ideal in a novel way.

·        Our Anti-Bullying Campaign encourages all students to “Stand Up to Bullying”.

·        The “Too Good for Drugs” curriculum reinforces resiliency in students and teachers students about healthful living habits.

·        A full-time school counselor teaches the Second Step curriculum in all classrooms

·        A part-time school social worker supports students and families in accessing resources for medical-care, food and housing. 

·        Structured teacher planning days allow teachers at each grade level to collaborate to plan instruction and assessment to meet the needs of all learners. 

·        Student Council fosters student involvement and shared decision making.

·        The Site Leadership Team meets regularly to ensure students’ safety, emotional and academic needs at each grade level are addressed and that the school climate is one of shared leadership.

·        Drills are scheduled and practiced throughout the year to assure that all students know what is expected if a real emergency were to occur. 

The Alvin Dunn Safe Schools Plan is a working document that helps to create an environment where children can feel secure and grow.