Threat Assessments
In keeping with our continued commitment to provide a safe and secure learning environment for students, we have implemented proactive measures to maintain safety across all our schools. As mandated by Virginia State Code, we use a threat assessment process that is designed to identify and address potential concerns before they arise. This is a routine part of our efforts to ensure that our schools are safe and supportive places for all.
The threat assessment team is made up of experts in counseling, instruction, administration, and law enforcement and is dedicated to evaluating situations and implementing effective strategies to manage them. These strategies often include mentoring, counseling, support, and setting appropriate boundaries. In rare cases, more serious actions may be necessary, but our primary focus is on prevention and support.
For more information, please see the K-12 Threat Assessment Overview published by the Department of Criminal Justice Services or view this helpful Threat Assessment video.
SpeakUp for Safety Tip Line
The SpeakUp for Safety tip line provides a simple way for students to easily and confidentially report threats of violence, bullying, peers in crisis, and other imminent threats. Students can email, call, or text to [email protected] or (434) 300-2230.
The tip line is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year by trained safety representatives. A representative will send an email regarding non-life-threatening items to designated school or division staff members. In severe situations, division-appointed contacts are notified immediately. In the most imminent cases, law enforcement will be contacted to intervene if the tip line representative is unable to notify a division-appointed contact.
Gaggle
Lynchburg City Schools and Gaggle have a partnership to keep students safe while they are using Google Workspace for Education. This partnership is live. Lynchburg City Schools will use the Gaggle safety management solution for Google to proactively protect students and ensure that they are safely and correctly using school-provided digital tools.
Lynchburg City Schools’ Acceptable Use Policy outlines expectations for appropriate behavior while students are accessing the school division’s technology network and/or provided device. Lynchburg City Schools will use a technology tool known as Gaggle for 5th grade through the high school level. The system reviews the students Google files for inappropriate images and/or content identified by keywords that might signal concern. Gaggle representatives review Google files 24/7 and send alerts to schools and the school division for investigation and response as necessary.
