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Whole School Comprehensive Safety Plans

Whole School Safety is part of CPS’ effort to create a more holistic approach to school safety.

Whole School Safety Town Halls

We are currently developing a new Whole School Safety Policy for our District, and we need the input of all stakeholders. Please join us for one of the below community engagement sessions to let your voice be heard. We will also be sending a survey soon to capture feedback about whole school safety as we develop this new policy.

March 21

  • Who: Parents & Community
  • When: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • Where: Parker Parent University (6800 S Stewart)
  • Host: COFI Power PAC (English Only)

Register

March 26

  • Who: Parents & Community
  • When: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Where: Virtual
  • Host: COFI Power PAC (Bilingual)

Register

March 25

  • Who: Youth attendees
  • When: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Where: MIKVA Office (200 S Michigan)
  • Host: MIKVA Challenge & VOYCE

Register

Supporting the Whole Student

At CPS, we recognize that student safety goes beyond just the physical spaces where learning and growth occur. It also involves ensuring the emotional well-being of our students and fostering trust in relationships with caring adults.

To address these safety needs, we have developed the Whole School Safety Framework. This framework operates on the premise that the physical and emotional safety of our students are deeply interconnected. A safe physical environment is crucial for fostering a healthy emotional and learning atmosphere to ensure the social and emotional well-being of our students.

  • School building

    What is a Whole School Safety Plan?

    A Whole School Safety Plan is a detailed document that outlines a school's vision, priorities, and strategies to cultivate an environment of physical, emotional, and relational safety.

  • Collaboration icon

    Who Created the Whole School Safety Plan Framework?

    A diverse Steering Committee, made of  principals, students, teachers, and representatives from Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), worked together to design the framework. 

    This template serves as a guideline for schools in formulating their individual Whole School Safety (WSS) plans.

  • Document icon

    How are Whole School Safety Plans (WSSP) Created for Each School?

    The plan is collaboratively developed by a Whole School Safety (WSS) committee, incorporating views from teachers, staff, parents, and students. The committee concentrates on the following key areas:

    • Implementing holistic restorative practices
    • Increasing access to social-emotional learning and mental health resources
    • Creating a safe and welcoming physical environment in schools
    • Boosting investments in student leadership and participatory decision-making

Pillars of School Safety

Physical Safety Emotional Safety Relational Trust
Responding to threats of violence, neighborhood incidents, emergency management, etc. Supporting teachers/students, restorative justice practices, active supervision of students in hallways, classrooms, cafeterias, etc. Interpersonal relationships between teachers, students, administrators, and staff are founded on trust

Proactive (Climate Development)

Example:
Controlling the flow of who and what enters the building: ensuring the safe passage of students
Example:
Creating a school climate that is calm and conducive to learning
Example:
Ensuring that teachers and students have trusted individuals in the building to whom they can bring concerns

Reactive (Safety Response)

Example:
Responding to an active threat in the building
Example:
Maintaining discipline systems that support students and teachers
Example:
Executing mandated reporting when issues are shared/discovered

Pillars of School Safety

Physical Safety

Responding to threats of violence, neighborhood incidents, emergency management, etc.

Proactive Initiatives (Climate Development)

Example: Controlling the flow of who and what enters the building: ensuring the safe passage of students

Reactive Protocol (Safety Response)

Example: Responding to an active threat in the building

Emotional Safety

Supporting teachers/students, restorative justice practices, active supervision of students in hallways, classrooms, cafeterias, etc.

Proactive Initiatives (Climate Development)

Example: Creating a school climate that is calm and conducive to learning.

Reactive Protocol (Safety Response)

Example: Maintaining discipline systems that support students and teachers

Relational Trust

Interpersonal relationships between teachers, students, administrations, and staff are founded on trust

Proactive Initiatives (Climate Development)

Example: Ensuring that teachers and students have trusted individuals in the building to whom they can bring concerns

Reactive Protocol (Safety Response)

Example: Executing mandated reporting when issues are shared/discovered.

The Curie Way

See how Curie High School transformed its culture to put “care” at the center of its approach to school safety.

School Safety and Security

773-553-3030

42 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60602