Here's How Heights Schools Prepare For, Prevent Shootings

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — The past few weeks have been heavy with anxiety for school districts across the nation, in the wake of a deadly school shooting that killed 17 people in Florida. Threats and additional violence have popped up throughout Ohio over the past two weeks. Now the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District is reaching out to families to layout its methods of prevention and safety.

Superintendent Talisa Dixon sent a message to the community with details on some of the CHUH district's policies for preventing shootings and protocols in the event of a violent intruder. "What happened in Florida and in the many other mass shootings around the country is absolutely heartbreaking. I pray that we never have to face such an atrocity in our community, but in this day and age we have to be prepared," she said in her message.

Dixon said the district places student and staff safety at the top of the priority list. Each school building has a crisis plan, including procedures for any type of emergency. Dixon also said that schools are required to perform two lockdown drills per year, once in the fall and once in the spring.

"We are fortunate to have great partnerships with our local law enforcement agencies, who participate in many of our lockdown drills and are also in continual conversation with building and district leadership throughout the school year," she said.

The superintendent said the district is also offering mental health services to students. Parents who suspect their child may be dealing with some type of mental health problem can contact the child's school and get support.

Dixon also talked about social media. "Following last week’s tragedy, many school districts around the country are encountering false threats on social platforms. These threats, which are many times posted as hoaxes, are treated as real threats until proven otherwise. The repercussions for a student posting a threat, credible or not, can be serious--both in terms of school discipline and criminal prosecution."

To read Dixon's full letter, click here.

Photo from CHUH Schools