School Safety

Video surveillance equipment is used in schools for security purposes. As part of its ongoing use, students, staff, and visitors may be under video surveillance while on campus. Students will be instructed in the methods of fire drills, severe weather drills, school evacuation, lockdown drills, shelter-in-place, and bus evacuation drills. Practices will be conducted throughout the year. MS Code § 37-11-5.

OSSD employs nine full-time sworn police officers, eight of whom are assigned to schools throughout the district, and a police chief that makes up the OSSD Police Department (OSSD PD). OSSD PD is responsible for the overall security of all facilities, employees, and students, and serves as the law enforcement agency for district events and facilities. Additionally, OSSD PD provides law enforcement support at school-sponsored extracurricular events. See OSSD BOT Policies EBC - Security and EBB - Safety Program.

Each OSSD school has, at minimum, one full-time School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to their campus for the protection of the students and staff members. While their primary role is to maintain order and security on and near school facilities, SROs provide far more than standard law enforcement efforts.

 

SROs are responsible for campus patrol, emergency preparedness, and drills, initial case investigations, subsequent follow-up, and, when necessary, making arrests. Additionally, the officers provide classroom presentations, counsel students and parents, engage students through mentoring, and serve as positive role models to help promote healthy relationships between youth and law enforcement.

 

NOTE: OSSD Police Officers are lawfully armed and will use necessary force to protect students and staff members. See OSSD BOT Policy EBCB - Response to Resistance.

 

OSSD & OSSD PD encourage students to always remain aware of their surroundings at all times. If you see something, say something. Students should report any suspicious behavior to their SRO or school administrator. Students can email the OSSD PD Tip Line at ossdpd@ossdms.org. Students may also report bullying anonymously through the Anonymous Bullying Reporting Form on the district website.

As outlined in OSSD BOT Policy EBBC - Emergency Drills, it shall be the duty of the principals and teachers in each building of OSSD to instruct the pupils in all programs of emergency management as may be designated by the Mississippi Department of Education.

 

According to the School Safety Act of 2019, it shall be the further duty of such principals and teachers to develop and conduct an Active Shooter Drill within the first sixty (60) days of each new school semester. '37-11-5.

 

The superintendent shall be responsible for ensuring that each school has a current Crisis Management Plan that includes procedures for bomb threats, fire, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and shootings. The superintendent shall also ensure that the principal and staff at each school conduct regular safety drills in the event of an emergency situation related to weapons or weather. See OSSD BOT Policies EBB - Safety Program and EBBA - School Safety Plan.

An announcement will be given to teachers to move their students to the assigned areas in an orderly manner. If not enough time permits movement to halls, students are to lie flat on the floor away from windows and near the inside wall.

Emergency escape routes are posted in each room. Fire drills are held monthly during the school year to maintain order and efficiency. An announcement will signal the beginning of the drill, and students will be instructed to evacuate the building. An announcement will also end the drill. Students should return to the building in an orderly manner after a drill.

Shelter-in-place is initiated when school officials believe there is some type of emergency that does not directly impact the interior of the school. Staff and students are instructed to stay inside their locked and secured classrooms. The goal is to keep students and staff safe and indoors while continued learning takes place. An announcement will signal the shelter-in-place, and staff and students will be instructed to follow safety protocols.

 

As outlined in the School Safety Act of 2019, all schools are required to conduct at least one Active Shooter Drill (School Lockdown) within the first sixty (60) days of each new school semester. '37-11-5.

 

The purpose of the school lockdown drill is to keep the students safe from any danger outside or inside the building. The goal of practicing emergency drills throughout the school year is to improve OSSD’s ability to protect students, save lives and reduce injuries. These practice drills allow the district to evaluate its emergency operation plans and improve its response skills.