School Safety
School safety includes keeping campuses free of crime and violence, improving discipline, and increasing student attendance. Schools that are safe and free of violence, weapons and drugs are necessary to ensure the well-being of all children and the quality of their education.
What is MCS doing to make our schools safe?
All schools are required by Georgia law (OCGA 20-2-1185) to develop school safety plans, to update those plans annually, and to submit them to the local emergency management agency. All Marietta City Schools (MCS) safety plans are designed to provide response to a wide array of school emergencies and are submitted for approval to the Georgia Office of Homeland Security (GEMA).
As part of ongoing MCS school safety initiatives,
- All Marietta City schools conduct at least one lockdown drill annually, as well as other emergency drills throughout the year.
- All school administrators (principals) are NIMS IS-700 certified. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a standard command and control structure used by all emergency response agencies. NIMS IS-700 certification provides school administrators with a basic understanding of emergency response protocols so that they can effectively communicate and work with local responders during an emergency situation.
- Tabletop emergency response exercises are conducted throughout the school district. A table-top exercise includes school administrators, central office personnel, emergency response personnel (police, fire, and emergency services), a school safety representative from Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), and observers from neighboring educational agencies. The exercise revolves around various emergency scenarios, with everyone providing input as to how they would respond. All agencies that might possibly respond to such an incident participate and explore appropriate responses to each scenario. The tabletop exercises occur at all Marietta City Schools throughout the year.
School Safety Hotline 1-877-SAY-STOP (1-877-729-7867)
The Georgia School Safety Hotline is a 24 hour hotline designed for crisis prevention. If students know of an unsafe situation in school (such as weapons, bomb threats, gang activity, drugs/alcohol, bullying or other activities) they can anonymously pass on that information through the hotline, initiating immediate and appropriate action.
Depending on the urgency of the call, the hotline operator will contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. Next, the local school system will be notified and will be asked to inform the Georgia Department of Education of the outcome and subsequent actions taken in conjunction with the call. The hotline is also a valuable information resource for students, parents, and educators and anyone who has questions about school safety in Georgia schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I call at MCS if I have questions or concerns regarding school safety?
If you have questions or concerns about a particular school, please contact the principal at that school. If you have general questions or concerns about school safety, please contact 770-422-3500 ext. 274 or email DDarby@marietta-city.k12.ga.us.
What can I do as a parent to help with school safety?
Things you can do at school:
- Talk with your child’s principal about how you can get involved at school.
- School councils provide advice and oversight on a wide range of school issues, including school safety.
- Volunteer to become a member of the school safety committee.
- Join your school PTA.
Things you can do at home:
- Talk with your child early and often about gangs, drugs, weapons, and school and community safety.
- Eliminate easy access to weapons by youth.
- Provide order, structure, and consistent discipline in the home.
- Encourage your child to trust school officials and report potential school violence to a teacher, counselor, or administrator.
- The Georgia School Safety Hotline is a 24 hour hotline designed for crisis prevention. If students know of an unsafe situation in school (such as weapons, bomb threats, gang activity, drugs/alcohol, bullying or other activities) they can anonymously pass on that information through the hotline, initiating immediate and appropriate action.
- Child internet safety tips.