Gun and Campus Safety event at Northgate HS includes Walnut Creek and MDUSD information

To help MDUSD parents and caregivers understand how they and the District can work together with local police departments to keep students safe, a small group of parents is organizing Gun and Campus Safety events in communities including Walnut Creek, Concord and Pleasant Hill. The first event was held Aug. 27th at Northgate HS in partnership with the city of Walnut Creek. Mayor Loella Haskew and Police Chief Jamie Knox stressed the importance of safe gun storage in homes to prevent accidental shootings. Knox and MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark also explained how the police department and school district train staff to respond to potential shootings or other school emergencies. And Dr. Clark reminded parents of the "Say Something" anonymous reporting system implemented in the District, which allows people to alert authorities about potential threats. 

Northgate HS Social Work Specialist Merritt Rollins discussed the school's Wellness Center, which provides a safe space where students can relax from stress, play games, pet her dog, and discuss anxieties or other issues with Rollins or a Social Work intern. "We offer crisis support and intervention," Rollins said, noting that she and others in the school and District can refer students to outside agencies for support or mental health treatment, if necessary. "I want everyone to feel like there's someone who wants to listen to them and hear what they have to say. And I do."

Northgate HS Principal Kelly Cooper said Northgate HS has implemented "phone spas" on campus, meaning students are required to turn their phones off and place them in a designated "spa" location in each classroom so they will not be distracted during class. Some teachers allow students to charge their phones in the "spa." She said the school piloted the spas last year and teachers reported student engagement increased as a result. Like Rollins, Cooper said all staff at the school focus on making strong connections with students, "making sure they feel welcome, included and heard," to ensure that every student has a trusted adult on campus they can talk to. She said the "Link Crew" connects freshmen with juniors and seniors to help build a sense of community. And she has her own anonymous reporting system that goes straight to her, which students have already used this year to report concerns. 

The panel also answered several questions from the audience about training, suspensions and expulsions, campus safety plans and other issues. Dr. Clark also discussed the Yondr cell phone pouches being used at Olympic HS, Prospect HS, Mt. Diablo HS and Ygnacio Valley HS, saying they are not required districtwide yet, but a policy could be considered next year at more schools if they are interested. He said students were hesitant at first, but many say the pouch - in which cell phones are locked during the school day - is effective in keeping them focused on school instead of on cell phone distractions, and they like it.

Click here to see a Campus Safety Resources flyer distributed after the event.