As we embark on a new school year, you may be asking yourself: Are our schools safe? We understand the gravity of this question and want to address it directly.
At STMA Schools, the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priorities. While we cannot disclose all the specific measures we take to protect our school community, we want to assure you that we are committed to employing best-practice safety strategies. We work closely with the Wright County Sheriff's Office and MN Homeland Security/School Safety Center as essential partners to maintain the security of our buildings and ensure the safety of every individual within them.
Beyond protecting our students from unimaginable tragedies, we take a holistic approach to safety. Our schools are places where every student is welcomed, valued, and encouraged. We foster environments where bullying and harassment have no place, and we are dedicated to educating the whole child—addressing academic, social, and emotional needs. Our staff works diligently to build positive and meaningful connections with students, and we are committed to partnering with you to determine how we can best serve your children.
This fall, we will be reviewing and practicing essential safety measures with students. These include fire drills, lockdown drills, school bus safety protocols, walking/biking safety, and severe weather drills. We encourage you to engage with your child(ren) about these drills—open dialogue, active listening, and careful observation are critical components of our comprehensive safety plan.
We prioritize safety through our threat assessment teams which meet regularly to address student safety and school security concerns. We emphasize the "see something, say something" approach to reporting potential threats and are developing a confidential reporting form for students. Our district also has a strong anti-bullying policy, addressing both in-person and cyberbullying, frequently addressing these topics in our classrooms.
When visiting our schools, please remember that district-wide safety and security protocols are in place. STMA has enhanced security entrances in our school buildings. Exterior doors remain locked during the instructional day, and visitors are required to ring a buzzer and state their name and reason for visiting before being allowed entry. Once inside, any visitor traveling beyond the office must present a government-issued photo ID. This ID is screened through a national and local database, and a visitor badge with a photo will be issued. Additionally, all volunteers and chaperones must complete a district background check to further enhance security.
While we strive for transparency in our safety efforts, it is important to note that we cannot release specific details of safety plans or share private student information when disciplinary incidents occur. Our adherence to student privacy laws is paramount. However, we remain committed to engaging you in our school safety efforts and encourage you to maintain open communication with your child. Please remind them to report anything that makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable to their principal or any school staff member.
We are deeply grateful for the trust you place in us, and we do not take this responsibility lightly. With our continued partnership, we will work tirelessly to make our schools as safe as possible. Should you have any concerns or questions regarding safety, please reach out to your child(ren)’s principal.
Together, we can create an even safer environment for our students to grow and thrive.
