Safe School Assessment Inspection Checklist
This checklist is to ensure that the perimeter of the school building is clear of safety hazards, debris and obstructions
MaintainX
07/22/2022
Safe School Assessment Inspection Checklist
This checklist is to ensure that the perimeter of the school building is clear of safety hazards, debris and obstructions
THE EMERGENCY PLAN
Multi -hazard in nature within the emergency management model of Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery
District articulates a strategic vision, mission and methodology for response agencies.
District’s plan is then developed in collaboration with community stakeholders and response agencies.
Plan identifies designees (ideally three) who will direct emergency response in the absence of the administrator.
Plan is reviewed and updated on a regular basis.
Plan includes specific procedures and accommodations for students with special needs and/or English Language Learners (ELLs).
Plan uses common vocabulary for all school stakeholders and emergency responders.
Plan includes after -school activities.
Plan includes an Incident Command System (ICS) and describes school emergency response team
Plan includes a threat assessment process.
Plan includes the following required universal procedures:
lockdown
evacuation
severe weather shelter
Plan includes the following suggested universal procedures:
shelter -in -place
reunification
Plan includes emergency procedures specific to a variety of potential incidents, e.g. bomb threats, fights, intruders, hazardous materials.
The school/district has communicated their crisis plan to community response agencies and included them in planning/training.
Drills and exercises make use of:
emergency go kits
accountability systems (e.g. attendance)
after action reports
Maps of facilities are updated and communicated to all community stakeholders and emergency responders.
Plan includes a recovery module for postcrisis response, e.g. access to mental health services.
Comments:
POLICY
Required policies are in place:
bullying
harassment and violence
crisis management
hazing
student discipline
The school has a student assistance team for assessing students who are demonstrating at risk behaviors
Comments:
DRILLS
Required drills take place in each school building throughout each school year:
5 lockdown
5 fire (First fire drill of each school year must be within first ten days of beginning of classes).
1 severe weather
Comments:
BUILDING ACCESS
There is a policy, system, and practice for ensuring secure entry/exit.
There is a single point of public entry/exit to each building.
Designated points of entry are monitored to control building access.
School staff monitors all entrances and exits during arrival and departure of students.
Main entrance is observable from main office.
Students have written permission to leave school grounds.
Signs are visibly posted listing items not allowed in the school e.g. weapons, drugs.
Staff have written procedures to guide access to the building before and after school hours.
Staff members present in the building after school hours are required to sign in and out.
Comments:
KEYS AND IDENTIFICATION
There is a master key control system to monitor keys, entry cards, and their duplicates.
Keys and entry cards are audited annually
The school has a Knox box or other system to provide quick access to keys by law enforcement and fire department.
All staff members are required to wear photo ID.
Staff members are required to turn in photo IDs, keys, and entry cards upon termination of employment.
Comments:
VISITOR PROCEDURES
Policy/Procedures signs are posted at all entrances.
Visitors are required to:
show picture ID and wear visible identification
sign in AND out
Sign-in stations/desks are identified, staffed and properly equipped (e.g. phone, radio, etc.)
Supply of visitor IDs are out of reach of visitors
Visitors are escorted, when deemed necessary, within the school
Contractors and vendors are required to check in AND out and display visible identification
Comments:
STAFF TRAINING
Staff receive training in:
threat assessment
all required drills/evacuation routes
awareness of any suspicious or unusual activity
awareness of irregularities in the surroundings (e.g. suspicious vehicles containers, broken air vents, etc.)
proper procedures for checking suspicious packages and deliveries
proper response to bomb threats or other threatening/suspicious phone calls
Emergency medical response team members have been trained and certified in CPR and First Aid.
If AEDs exist, building emergency response team members have been trained and drilled in their use and know their location.
School emergency response teams practice regularly scheduled and unscheduled drills and exercises to ensure competency.
COMMENTS:
PHYSICAL CLIMATE
School demonstrates a welcoming environment.
Student work is displayed to show pride and ownership by students (needs to be less than 20% of corridor wall).
Environment displays student activities and opportunities for involvement.
Posters are displayed encouraging positive behavior choices and well being.
Staff members are visible in hallways, supervising/interacting with students
Things work and/or get fixed immediately.
There is a school discipline plan that is communicated to staff, students and parents
Teachers are required to submit a classroom management plan to their administrator.
The school provides conflict resolution training for staff and/or students
There is an anti-bullying program.
Mentoring programs are in place.
The school student services team includes a mental health specialist (e.g. social worker, counselor, psychologist).
Comments:
COMMUNICATIONS
School communications systems:
There is a 2-way communication modality between the main office and the:
classrooms
school-based security staff
playground staff
portable classrooms/buildings
ball fields
health services
custodial staff
transportation dispatcher
other student services personnel (counselors, social workers, assistance principals, etc)
All classrooms are equipped with a system to communicate in an emergency that is clearly marked with the appropriate “911” designation to get an outside line.
A process is in place to communicate security instructions to staff in a timely and understandable manner
Filters or other such mechanisms are in place to routinely monitor suspicious internet activity on school computers.
A reporting system is in place in the event of discovering suspicious internet activity.
An anonymous tip line is in place and is used for incident or suspicious activity reporting.
All safety related parent or media inquiries are directed to a designated spokesperson.
District/Media Emergency Communications:
The school/district communicates with parents throughout the year about emergency procedures via newsletters, emails, website, etc.
The district has a protocol for working with the media in the event of any emergency.
In the event of an emergency during school hours, a system is in place to contact parents with alerts and/or instructions.
Comments:
GENERAL EXTERIOR
School has marquee, visible from road.
School reflects use of school colors/symbols
Grounds are fenced in appropriate areas.
Gates if present are secured when not in use (if allowed by the fire code).
Perimeter of school building is clear of safety hazards, debris and obstructions
Mechanical, electrical and other such equipment on ground level is surrounded by a protective enclosure.
Shrubs and foliage are trimmed low to allow for good sightlines.
Building(s) are free of graffiti.
Posted signs indicate restricted areas.
Ground floor windows have functional locks and unbroken panes
Roof access is restricted.
All trailers/outbuildings are secured to their location and labeled.
Areas around buildings are adequately lit.
Exterior doors:
have a sturdy center mullion and/or are equipped with appropriate security.
have non-removable hinge pins
unless designated for entry, lack exterior hardware
allow for keyed re-entry
are coded on the outside and clearly visible
are coded on the inside matching exterior numbers
Comments:
BUSES AND PARKING
Bus loading zone is visible from main office or monitored by staff.
Buses are prevented from creating a visual obstacle where crime may occur.
Bus loading and drop off zones are clearly marked.
Parking areas are lit.
Parent drop off and pick up areas are clearly marked.
Fire zones are maintained free of cars and buses at all times.
Parking lot has signs to direct staff, students and visitors to designated parking areas.
Staff cars are properly marked through the use of some form of identification.
Student cars are properly marked through the use of identification.
Campus supervision/security includes regular parking lot monitoring.
Bicycle or motorcycle parking is in view of the building or monitored by security
Comments:
PLAYGROUND / RECREATION AREAS
Play and recreation areas are protected by fencing.
Vehicular access is restricted around play areas.
Emergency vehicles can access play and recreation areas easily.
Bleachers are well maintained.
Risers between bleacher seats are protected to prevent entrapment.
An adequate number of recess monitors are appropriately positioned around the play area perimeter
Recess monitors have equipment to warn children in case of emergency.
Play areas and equipment comply with Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines (CPSC):
surfaces are free from holes and other blemishes that could cause injury
surfacing extends at least 6’ in all directions from play equipment
play structures more than 30” high are spaced at least 9’ apart
posts are secure and free from sharp points or edges
hardware is secure (e.g. no open “S” hooks)
elevated areas have guardrails
spaces (e.g. openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs) are appropriate in size and free from risk of entrapment
Comments:
DELIVERIES
Deliveries are accepted only at designated receiving areas.
Deliveries are documented using delivery logs.
There is a system for inspecting and approving items delivered to the building.
Comments:
GENERAL INTERIOR
Stairwells are uniformly and adequately lit.
Hallways are:
uniformly and adequately lit
free of graffiti
Restrooms:
are uniformly and adequately lit
are free of graffiti
have hardware that prevents the main entrance from locking from the inside
have no inlay ceilings
Doors and locks are in good condition.
Classroom doors can be locked from inside
Classrooms with windows have curtains and/or window shades
All rooms are locked when not in use.
Controlled access by specialized staff is required for:
electrical panel access doors
boiler and mechanical rooms
custodial closets
Doors opening into interior areas like courtyards are kept locked with limited access.
Unused areas are closed off when not in use after school hours if allowed by the fire code. Gates are not allowed to create deadend corridors.
Locker bays are well lit.
Locker height allows for clear sightlines.
Emergency lighting is properly installed and functioning.
All interior glass doors are properly installed and repaired.
Floor coverings are properly installed and in good repair.
There is unobstructed access to AEDs and first aid supplies.
Emergency response team staff members are identified by lanyards or some other clear form of designation on a daily basis.
All rooms have emergency procedures posted.
All rooms have evacuation routes and severe weather safe areas posted.
Comments:
CAFETERIA
Is uniformly and adequately lit.
The freezer door can be opened from the inside.
Cafeteria is supervised adequately by staff.
Physical layout of cafeteria allows for quick, safe entry AND exit of students
Physical layout of cafeteria allows for good sightlines.
Comments:
GYMNASIUM AREA(s)
Lighting fixtures and windows are protected in gym areas.
AEDs are present in physical education wing.
Safety mats and equipment are maintained.
Equipment is properly stored and secured.
Comments:
SPECIALIZED AREAS (reference fire code for other essential safety elements)
Science, Art, Theater, Shop:
Phones are present in primary work spaces (e.g. scene shop) and office areas.
Emergency procedures are posted and readily available; students are trained in procedures.
Comments:
MONITORING AND SURVEILLANCE
Security cameras are stationed outside the school
Security camera locations provide maximum coverage possible of grounds.
Security cameras are stationed inside the school.
Remote and isolated hallways are monitored by security cameras
There is a retention period for recorded data. Retention period is ______ days.
There is a central security alarm system which is connected to a monitoring company.
School Resource Officers (SROs) are on site.
School security officers (non-law enforcement) are on site.
Staff members monitor:
hallways
stairwells
restrooms
Bus loading area monitored by:
camera
direct line of sight
patrols/staff presence
Parent pick -up/drop -off area monitored by:
camera
direct line of sight
patrols/staff presence
Play/recreation areas are monitored by:
camera
direct line of sight
patrols/staff presence
Formal/informal gathering areas (patios, courtyards, etc.) are monitored by:
camera
direct line of sight
patrols/staff presence
If the building is used after school or on weekends, supervision is present
Specific persons are designated to secure buildings after activities.
School staff conducts daily visual inspections of the school for suspicious packages and other items.
A designated staff member is assigned to check the following:
all classrooms are locked
all bathrooms unoccupied and/or locked
all exterior doors locked
all security lights are on
building alarm is activated
There are written job descriptions for security personnel and/or monitors.
School requires staff background checks.
Classrooms are equipped with a system to communicate in an emergency.
The school has access to a weather radio, which is monitored by a designated staff member.
Comments:
Source: MaintainX (Community Member)