School safety is the responsibility of everyone – staff, students, parents, and community members. All Delaware schools have a Comprehensive School Safety Plan (CSSP) that is managed through the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and is based on four main principles – Prevention/Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. Response plans alone do not make a school safe. Fostering a positive school climate, addressing student needs, incident response training, and on-going communication with emergency response personnel are integral components in maintaining a safe school environment for all.
What does the State of Delaware do to ensure safety in schools?
Each year, Delaware’s Comprehensive School Safety Program (CSSP) works with public and charter schools statewide to help administrators update their individual school safety plans. The CSSP certifies schools after completion of two lockdown drills and one table top exercise as required by Delaware law. Many districts and schools arrange drills in coordination with CSSP, law enforcement, school personnel and first responders to ensure staff and students are ready to respond appropriately in a coordinated effort in the event of an emergency.
CSSP offers regular training on all aspects of emergency management as it pertains to school safety including preparation, preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery. Examples of regular trainings offered include but are not limited to violent intruders, bomb threats, severe weather responses, mental health awareness and tools, behavioral threat assessments, crime prevention through environmental design and family reunification.
Are schools required to have school safety plans?
All public and charter schools are required by the Omnibus School Safety act to have a school safety plan that addresses numerous hazards or emergency incidents including violent intruders, and natural hazards.
With the assistance of CSSP, the plans are developed by school safety teams which should be comprised of administrators, teachers, staff, law enforcement, various other first responders and contain detailed information specific to each school.
Schools are required to review, update and test plans annually through drills and tabletop exercises.
Additional School Safety Resources
Statutes and Regulations
Contact Information:
For questions regarding School Safety, please call 302-857-3302.
