Threat Assessment Teams

Our first priority is to ensure that all staff and students are safe.  In the event that we are notified of a potential threat to the safety of students and staff, we will begin the threat assessment process by using the Student Safety Assessment System. Each of our schools has threat assessment teams that are trained to implement the assessment system whenever we receive concerning information that may impact student and staff safety.    

Our teams are trained to conduct an investigation through the use of a student safety assessment and management system developed by the Department of Education and the U.S. Secret Service.  The system helps our team facilitate the process of determining whether what a student says, writes, posts, or communicates is a legitimate threat to the safety and security of themselves or others.  The questions in the interviews are part of the Salem Keizer threat assessment system. The Salem-Keizer System was developed following the research that the U.S. Secret Service and Department of Education conducted. It is a comprehensive, four-pronged approach looking at personality factors, social dynamics, family dynamics and school climate. The inquiry involves multiple sources through an interview process. The collaborative team approach determines the level of threat and needs for additional investigation, intervention, and/or support.

Parent/Guardian Expectations and Communication

The first step in the student safety assessment system is to determine the risk level of the reported threat/concern.  The threat assessment team, which includes school administration, mental health professionals, staff and/or law enforcement, is responsible for completing this task by implementing the study safety assessment.  

Once we have determined the risk level of the situation, the threat assessment team and District administration will develop a situation-specific communication plan.  If the situation is going to potentially result in the disruption of normal school operations (evacuation, late start, etc.) and/or is determined to be an imminent threat, we will communicate as soon as possible.  Our goal is to share information, when appropriate, that keeps our families informed while maintaining privacy for those involved.   

In the event that you are made aware of a potential threat to student and/or staff safety, it is important for you to contact the school administration and/or law enforcement immediately.  If it is after school hours, we encourage you to contact law enforcement or utilize Safe2HelpIL immediately.  

Possible situations may include:

• When you hear about a student wanting to harm themselves.

• When you hear that a student plans on bringing or has brought a weapon to school.

• When you receive information that a student may be planning to attack one or more students or staff members at school.

• When you hear or see that a student has directly threatened another student or staff member or has a targeted list.

• When you hear about a student displaying a high level of anger clearly inappropriate to a given provocation or event.

• When you learn that a student expresses violent ideation in verbal speech or writing.

• When you know of a student who justifies the use of his own aggression or violence to solve a problem.