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Proud Traditions, An Exciting Future

A publication of the Dickinson Independent School District

A Message from Superintendent Carla Voelkel... Dickinson ISD implements measures for safer schools Dickinson ISD has an ongoing commitment to keep our students and employees safe. Since the tragic school event that happened in a neighboring school district on May 18th, Dickinson ISD administrators, law enforcement officers and staff members have spent many hours attending training sessions and examin- ing ways to make our schools safer. To assist with this process, a comprehensive Safety and Security Committee, which includes parents, students, district employees, faith-based leaders, mental health representatives and law enforcement representatives has Focus on School Safety... met monthly to review security measures and procedures already The majority of this issue of in place and to develop, administer and view the results of a safe- “Dialogue” is dedicated to educating ty survey given to students (grades 5-12), employees and parents. parents and the community about After studying the survey results and identifying priorities, the safety and security initiatives Superintendent Carla Voelkel practices using a tourniquet on Deputy student members of the Safety and Security Committee presented underway in Dickinson ISD Superintendent for Educational Services Lee Courville at the dis- recommendations for future safety measures at the November 5th this school year, including law trict’s recent Safety Saturday event featuring Stop The Bleed training, Board Meeting. Information about these recommendations are enforcement, mental health, tips for which is being provided to all district employees this school year. featured in this special edition of the Dialogue devoted to school parents, emergency communications safety and security. Many of the articles in this edition were and more. • The speaker system at DHS was updated and replaced. recommended by members of our Safety and Security Committee, • Dickinson ISD Campus Crime Stoppers has been re-launched, more on pages 2-5 and 8-12 and we hope you will read and share information from this issue. and students can call 281-229-STOP to submit tips or report While the committee has been meeting, DISD has moved crimes anonymously. An app for anonymous reporting will be forward and implemented several measures to make our schools available in the near future. safer. This includes: • Hughes Road Elementary, McAdams Junior High and DHS • The number of Galveston County Sheriff School Resource are participating in a pilot program that will allow parents to Officers was increased from four to eight, including three track the location of school buses and receive messages from officers at Dickinson High School and one at each middle the Transportation Department. Depending on the results from Big Al’s school and junior high. The district purchased four vehicles the pilot, this resource may be implemented district-wide. for the new officers and they should arrive before the Thanks- • Working with community mental health partners that include Brag Book giving break. The officers assigned to the middle school Resolve It, Family Service Center, Innovative Alternatives and campuses will also regularly visit elementary campuses. Krist Samaritan, additional resources and counseling support • Two full-time security monitors were added at DHS. A golf have been added to campuses to better meet the emotional and Bragging Rights... cart was purchased for one of the monitors to continuously mental health needs of students. patrol the exterior perimeter throughout the school day, while There are many things to brag • A Parent Inquiry Form was created and is now available on the other patrols the interior. about in Dickinson ISD, so we are the district website for parents to complete and submit a re- • Card swipe entries were added for employees at six of the introducing a new feature in quest for mental health assistance with their children. campuses without this technology. “Dialogue” called “Big Al’s Brag • Two “Safety Saturday” events have been provided -- the first • Additional fencing was installed at DHS, Lobit Elementary, Book” to spotlight some of the things in September focused on active shooter awareness and cyber Silbernagel Elementary and Bay Colony Elementary. we are thankful for in Dickinson ISD. security, and the second, earlier this month, provided “Stop the • Special software was purchased and it is being used 24/7 to Bleed” training by UTMB medical professionals and Dickin- monitor social media, internal digital media and district tech- more on page 6-7 son EMS. nology resources for threats, suicide ideation and bullying. continued on page 2 Vol. 27, No. 2 NOVEMBER 2018 PAGE 2 DICKINSON DIALOGUE NOVEMBER 2018 Safety and Security Committee presents recommendations to the Board of Trustees

The Dickinson ISD Board of Trustees heard a report from three Dickinson High School students at the Novem- Dickinson ISD Safety and Security Committee Recommendations ber 5 meeting summarizing the recommendations from the • Have continuous Anti-Bullying Programs from pre- • Continue adding Law Enforcement officers so even- district’s Safety and Security Committee formed during kindergarten through 12th grade. tually each campus has an officer and larger cam- the summer of 2018 to guide the school district in further • Expand and grow the Dickinson High School Lunch puses (DHS, MJHS, KJHS) have multiple officers. enhancing safety and security efforts. Bunch Program to include more students and at ad- • Complete an assessment of district cameras and add David Paul Hilton, Skyler Maner and Tristin Saucedo ditional campuses. This program has been imple- additional cameras at all campuses. were the students who spoke on behalf of the commit- mented as a result of the Mental Health Counseling • Investigate and install controlled access to school tee which included representatives from several different support added to the district. main entrances/front office areas. areas, including parents, teachers, students, principals, law • Seek ways to continue current grant-funded Men- • Investigate and install bullet proof window film at enforcement, faith-based leaders, mental health, Dickinson tal Health Programs (for example, continuing to school main entrances/front office areas, and inves- ISD support staff and the Facilities Task Force. The goal of have additional counselors dedicated to mental tigate window film/window covering for interior the committee was to work collaboratively, reach consen- health which are currently funded only for one year classroom windows at Lobit Education Village and sus and make recommendations to enhance safety efforts at through a grant related to Hurricane Harvey). Kranz Junior High. all Dickinson ISD facilities. • Provide employees with a Panic Button App for • Continue providing safety training for students, Over the past two months the committee met four phones. parents, and employees. times. At the first meeting, members learned about the cur- rent safety and security measures in place throughout the school district. In addition, they were provided with copies of the Governor’s School Safety Action Plan and Sen- Top Five Options for Safer Schools by Groups ate Select Committee on Violence in Schools and School Students Staff Parents Parents (Spanish) Security Report to the 86th Legislature. During the second meeting, the group worked in Bullet Proof Window Film Control Access to Grounds Control Access to Grounds Metal Detectors groups to review, discuss and finalize questions to include Panic Buttons for Teachers Additional Law Enforcement Additional Law Enforcement Control Access to Grounds on three separate safety and security surveys -- Parent Survey, Student Survey and Employee Survey. The surveys More Safety Training Panic Buttons for Teachers Panic Buttons for Teachers Additional Law Enforcement were sent by Skyward email to parents, students (grades 5-12) and employees to complete. Additional Law Enforcement Additional Cameras Monitor Social Media Additional Cameras The Safety and Security Committee reviewed and discussed the results of the surveys at the third meeting and Additional Cameras Bullet Proof Window Film Anti-Bullying Programs Panic Buttons for Teachers began to discuss possible recommendations to the Board of Trustees for further investigation. Some of the recommen- The information above highlights the top five safer school options chosen by each group surveyed. The colored cells display the dations will be short term while other recommendations areas were the groups overlapped out of 15 possible choices provided. will be part of a long term plan. In groups, the committee brainstormed topics for further Safety Saturday sessions and the district newsletter. Voelkel highlights new Dickinson ISD safety measures The final meeting before the presentation, the com- continued from page 1... media accounts (Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook). mittee reviewed and discussed a draft of the district’s new False information on social media or online/texted rumors • District administrators have received “Stop the Emergency Communications Plan and heard plans for this can cause further fear or concern. Remind your student(s) Bleed” training, and a schedule was developed so special issue of “Dialogue” devoted to safety and security. to not spread it, but report it. Also, if students see some- that all DISD employees will receive this training this Robert Cobb shared information about the implementation thing suspicious in person or online, whether it is written year. of Sandy Hook Promise in Dickinson ISD and other area or verbal, say something. If something concerns you or • An Emergency Communications Plan was developed districts. Using the survey results, the committee discussed looks like a possible threat of school violence, report it. and it outlines the steps the district will take for com- the safety and security recommendations they would make We take all threats and reports seriously, and we rely on municating with parents, students, employees and to the Board of Trustees and selected the three students on each of you to share information with us so that we can media in the event of an emergency situation. the committee to make the presentation. investigate. The committee’s recommendations, as well as the top Keeping Dickinson ISD schools safe involves everyone, The best defense against school violence is height- five options for safer schools chosen by each surveyed and our students and families are key partners. Parents, ened awareness and vigilance by all. We sincerely ap- group can be found on this page. please check what your students are bringing to school preciate your cooperation and your commitment to Keep and monitor their student communications and social DISD Safe.

OUR MISSION ADMINISTRATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES DIALOGUE STAY CONNECTED The mission of the Carla Voelkel David Swartz is the official newsletter for the For more Dickinson ISD news Dickinson Independent Superintendent President Dickinson Independent and information, sign up to School District and is published School District is to ensure Jeff Pittman receive the district’s weekly Ryan Boone four times a year by the that all students have Vice President email newsletter, “Gator Bytes.” Deputy Supt. for Business & Operations Public Information Office. safe and successful learning Veanna Veasey Secretary opportunities that help Lee Courville Tammy Dowdy Visit the district’s website at them reach their full Deputy Supt. for Business & Operations Mike Mackey Director of Communications www.dickinsonisd.org to enter potential and add quality Corey Magliolo your email address at the Robert Cobb Jenna Simsen Jessica Rodriguez bottom of the homepage. throughout their lives. Asst. Supt. for Administration Director of Fritzie Samford Marketing and Digital Media NOVEMBER 2018 DICKINSON DIALOGUE PAGE 3 Important phone numbers to mental health resources and school district contacts The following is a list of important phone • Counseling Connections For Change Main School District Phone Numbers numbers to various Mental Health Re- 281-485-9280 sources available to the community for • Crisis Intervention of • Education Support Center • Barber Middle School students or adults as well as non-emergen- Crisis Hotline 713-468-5463 281-229-6000 281-229-6900 cy law enforcement phone numbers and Teenline 713-529-8336 • Transportation Department • Dunbar Middle School services. • Youth & Family Counseling 281-229-7300 281-229-6600 Services Bay Colony Elementary • Lobit Middle School • Family Services Center 979-849-7751 281-229-6200 281-229-7700 281-576-6366 or 409-938-4814 Crisis Hotline 877-949-3140 • Calder Road Elementary • Kranz Junior High • Krist Samaritan Center • United Way Info. and Referral 281-229-7500 281-309-3600 281-480-7554 281-282-6000 • Hughes Road Elementary • McAdams Junior High • Bo’s Place • Covenant House 281-229-6700 281-229-7100 713-942-8339 713-523-2231 • K.E. Little Elementary • Dickinson High School • Crisis Hotline of Galveston County • Gulf Coast Center 24 Hour Crisis 281-229-7000 281-229-6400 409-741-8255 Hotline • Lobit Elementary • Dickinson Continuation Center • Interfaith Caring Ministries 1-866-729-3848 281-229-7600 281-229-6350 281-332-3881 • National Alliance on Mental Health • San Leon Elementary • Dickinson Alternative Learning Ctr. • Nationwide Referral Hotline 281-585-3100 281-229-7400 281-229-6300 211 • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline • Silbernagel Elementary • DISD Campus Crime Stoppers • Mental Health America of Greater Crisis Text Line 281-229-6800 281-229-STOP (7867) Houston Text HOME to 741-741 713-523-8963 1-800-273-TALK In the event of a true emergency, always call 911. • Innovative Alternatives • Community Health Network 713-222-2525 281-824-1480 • Gulf Coast Center • Poison Center Network 800-643-0967 or 409-763-2373 1-800-222-1222 Two safety monitors now at DHS to • Advocacy Center for Children of • Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Galveston County Non-Emergency Number 409-741-6000 409-766-2322 or 281-534-3515 assist with internal, external patrols • National Suicide Prevention Hotline • Dickinson Police Department Dickinson High School has a cou- 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK Non-Emergency Number ple extra sets of eyes keeping students • National Alliance for Mental Illness 281-337-4700 and staff safe with the hiring of two 703-524-7600 • League City Police Department safety monitors. At the beginning of the • NAMI Non-Emergency Number school year, the Board of Trustees ap- 713-970-4419 281-332-2566 proved the creation of the safety moni- • Resource & Crisis Center of • Texas City Police Department tor positions and doubling the number Galveston County Non-Emergency Number of police liaison officers the district has 409-763-1441 or 409-465-7233 409-643-5720 through the Galveston County Sheriff’s • Teen Crisis Hotline • Dickinson Volunteer Fire Department Office from four to eight. This allows 713-529-TEEN Non-Emergency Number three sheriff’s deputies at DHS, plus • Harris County Psych Services 281-534-3031 one each at the two junior high schools 713-970-7070 or 713-970-4640 • League City Fire Department and three middle schools. Each of the • Brazoria County Counseling Center 281-554-1465 middle school liaison officers oversees 979-549-0889 • Texas City Fire Department two or three elementary campuses to • Brazoria County Mental Health Non-Emergency Number assist as needed. Department 409-643-5700 One of the safety monitors patrols 979-864-2392 inside the campus, while the other uses a golf cart to patrol the school parking lots and campus perimeter. Mental Health Assistance Request Form Serving in these positions are Makeiths Davis and Archie Williams, now available on Dickinson ISD website Sr. Davis retired in 2015 from the Dickinson High School Dickinson ISD provides a variety of services for students who are struggling with Army after 20 years of Safety Monitors learning, emotions, behavior or health conditions. If you are the parent of a Dickinson service. He is currently attending the Makeiths Davis and Archie Williams, Sr. ISD student, have concerns about your child’s mental health and would like to request University of Houston - to assistance for your child, there is a new online “Mental Health Assistance Request Form” pursue a teaching degree in Special Education. He has been married for 16 years and available on the Dickinson ISD website. has two children attending DHS. Visit www.dickinsonisd.org and click on the blue bar titled “Special Programs Parent Williams is a 1989 graduate of Dickinson High School. He holds a bachelor of Inquiry” in the bottom right-hand corner of the district homepage. You will find another science degree in sociology from the University of Houston and has 10 years experi- link on that page to the “Mental Health Assistance Request Form.” Complete the simple ence in education as a special education teacher. He has been married for 20 years and Google form, which is available in both English and Spanish, and hit submit. You will be has two children who are also DHS graduates. contacted by someone from your child’s school to offer assistance. PAGE 4 DICKINSON DIALOGUE NOVEMBER 2018

Meet The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office School Liaison Officers serving Dickinson ISD

Sgt. Cliff Foster Deputy Dawn Crowell Deputy Jesse Khaled Deputy Joshua Love Dickinson High School Dickinson High School Dickinson High School Kranz Junior High

Sergeant Cliff Foster has Deputy Dawn Crowell has been Deputy J. Khaled has been Deputy Joshua Love has been with the Galveston County with the Galveston County Sheriff’s with the Galveston County Sheriff’s been with the Galveston Coun- Sheriff’s Office for 13 years. He Office for 12 years. She holds an Office for 16 years. He served in ty Sheriff’s Office for six years. is a veteran of the United States Advanced Peace Officer License several capacities inside the County He is a veteran of the United Marine Corps where he served and is a certified TCOLE instructor. Jail for nine years including, Book- States Air Force where he as a 60 mm mortar section Recently, Deputy Crowell ing, Classification, and a member of served as a police officer. leader for his unit. Sgt. Foster completed a field training program the S.O.R.T. Team (Special Opera- Most recently, Deputy Love was deployed numerous times with the Sheriff’s Office Forensic tion Response Team). He recently completed Basic SWAT course overseas and participated in Science unit and several emergency transferred from the Bailiff’s Divi- and has attended multiple Ac- two combat tours during Opera- response classes in order to better sion after seven years where he tive Shooter training courses. tion Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and serve the students, staff and commu- served as the official court Bailiff Deputy Love plans on continu- Operation Enduring Freedom in nity of Dickinson ISD. for District Court 212 under the ing his law enforcement edu- Afghanistan. Deputy Crowell has lived in Honorable Judges Susan Criss and cation and plans to attend an Most recently, Sgt. Foster many different places before set- Bret Griffin, followed by County Advance SWAT course in the completed the FBI LEEDA tril- tling down in Galveston County. Court #2 under the Honorable Judge near future. ogy training and the Advanced She enjoys her time with her family, Barbara Roberts. Deputy Love grew up in Law Enforcement Rapid Re- friends and pets. Deputy Khaled holds an As- the Sagemont area and gradu- sponse Training (ALERT) basic sociate’s degree in Applied Science ated from J. Frank Dobie High instructor’s course. This allows and an Intermediate Law Enforce- School. He is the fourth gen- him to expand on his leadership ment Certification. He has over eration of law enforcement in and training skills as he is now 2,600 hours of training both in the his family. certified to train law enforce- classroom and with TCOLE (Texas ment officers on how to respond Commission On Law Enforcement). in an active shooter scenario. Deputy Khaled grew up in Sgt. Foster grew up in Galveston County and graduated Galveston County. He is also from . He is single married and has two children, and has two children. One of his one of which attends DISD. children currently attends school in Dickinson ISD and the other is a Dickinson ISD graduate and current student at Texas State University. FALLNOVEMBER 2009 2018 DICKINSON DIALOGUE PAGEPAGE 55

Meet The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office School Liaison Officers serving Dickinson ISD

Cpl. Patrick Lewis Deputy Christopher Lugo Deputy Ivery Stewart Deputy Kyle Cavness McAdams Junior High Barber Middle School Dunbar Middle School Lobit Middle School Corporal Patrick Lewis has Deputy Chris Lugo is a Vet- Deputy Ivery Stewart grew up Deputy Kyle Cavness has been with the Galveston County eran of the U.S. Navy where he in Galveston County and graduated been with the Galveston Coun- Sheriff’s Office for six years and served proudly for 10 ½ years. He from in ty Sheriff’s Office for 25 years. has over 18 years law enforce- served during Operation Desert 1978. He is the proud father of one During this time he has worked ment experience. He is a veteran Strike, Bosnia and Kosovo War, daughter and one granddaughter. in Corrections, Patrol, and Nar- of the U.S. Navy, where he Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Prior to becoming a Law Enforce- cotics and is currently assigned served as a Machinery Repair- and Operation Enduring Freedom ment Officer, he was a Veteran in the to Dickinson ISD as a School man and Rapid Response Team (OEF). Deputy Lugo worked as a United States Army. Deputy Stewart Liaison Officer (SLO) Member for his unit. Cpl. Lewis Contractor in Kandahar, Afghani- served during Desert Storm and the Deputy Cavness has ob- was deployed numerous times stan and at a Forward Operating Gulf War. He also participated in tained his Master Police Cer- overseas and participated in a Base (FOB) Delaram, Afghanistan two other national conflicts during tificate and is also a Field combat tour during the Persian during OIF/OEF. his tour of duty. He received several Training Officer. He has over Gulf War. He was also deployed Deputy Lugo began his ca- medals and was recognized with 1,300 training hours includ- to South America and participat- reer in Law Enforcement with the a plaque and letter of appreciation ing Advanced Law Enforce- ed in assisting the Coast Guard Galveston County Sheriff’s Of- from the Prime Minister of Israel. ment Rapid Response Training Deputy Stewart signed on with with Drug Interdictions. fice in the Corrections Division (ALERRT) and several other Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Most recently, Cpl. Lewis in 2014. He is a member of the classes that have benefited him in 1993. He currently holds a Mas- completed the FBI LEEDA tril- Galveston County Sheriff’s Office as a School Liaison Officer. ter Peace Officer License and has ogy training and the Advanced Dive Team. Deputy Cavness has lived attended the required schools and Law Enforcement Rapid Re- Deputy Lugo is currently in Galveston County his entire training to become a School Liaison sponse Training (ALERRT). assigned to the School Liaison life and graduated from Santa Officer. During Deputy Stewart’s Cpl. Lewis also participated Fe High School. After gradua- Officer (SLO) Division where he service with Galveston County, he in the Field Training Officer worked at Texas City ISD and has worked in Corrections, Patrol, tion, Deputy Cavness attended Program. He is now certified to Clear Creek ISD. Deputy Lugo MHMR, and the Bailiff divisions. Texas State University. train new deputies in the School has completed many courses that Deputy Stewart was awarded Dep- Liaison Division. have enhanced his capabilities uty of the Year in 2004 (50 Club). to be efficient as a SLO and to Deputy Stewart is a true believer in respond to an active shooter if his Motto. “I can’t save the world, needed. He is currently assigned but if I can touch one kid and have as the SLO at Barber Middle them change for the good, then I’ve School for Dickinson ISD. done my part.” PAGE 6 DICKINSON DIALOGUE NOVEMBER 2018

Big Al’s Brag Book

Gene Kranz honored at Kranz Dedication Kranz Junior High is “go for launch!” Dickinson ISD celebrated the opening the district’s second junior high at a special dedication ceremony on September 27. The dedication ceremony honored the school’s namesake, Eugene “Gene” Kranz, a long-time Dickinson resi- dent and NASA pioneer who served as Mission Control Flight Direc- tor for Gemini and Apollo programs. Several speakers, entertainment from the Kranz Band and Choir, a video from the STEM program and presentations of artwork and a special Kranz vest highlighted the dedication ceremony. $97,000 in Education Foundation grants! Surprise!!! The Dickinson ISD Education Foundation Prize Patrol visited all campuses in October and awarded $97,000 in teacher grants, which is the most ever awarded. The grants, which range from $1,000 to $10,000, allow teachers and administrators to implement innovative and creative programs to benefit Dickinson ISD students. Included in the grant awards this year are many reading initiatives, outdoor equipment to help with math lessons, summer programs, fine arts, physical education programs and much more. Watch future is- sues of “Dialogue” for more information about these grants.

DHS students earning AP college credit! This past school year, 121 Dickinson High School students earned college credit by taking Advanced Placement exams. Some earned credit in multiple classes as there were 20 different courses and exams the DHS students could take. In addition, 14 of the students earned a perfect score of “5” on at least one exam. The College Board program allows students to enroll in college- level courses in high school and take an exam at the end of the school year to earn college credit for the exam. The students receive a score of 1-5 and anyone scoring at a 3 or higher on an exam can earn col- lege credit. These students will graduate from DHS with a huge jump start on their college career, which is also a huge cost-savings to the DHS Marching Band earns 8th place at Area! student. The Dickinson High School Marching Band made us Gator Proud for all their hard work this year on their performance of “Mat- ters of the Heart.” At the UIL Area Marching Contest, the DHS band was one of 10 bands, out of 24 participating, chosen to advance to the finals round. While the DHS Band fell short of being in the top five and advancing to the UIL State Marching Contest, their 8th place finish was still very impressive and a great example of how Dickinson ISD students excel in fine arts. NOVEMBER 2018 DICKINSON DIALOGUE PAGE 7

Big Al’s Brag Book

DHS Powerlifter earns two national Gold Medals Dickinson High School senior Matt Longoria earned two Gold Medals at the USA Powerlifting National Bench Press Championship in Scranton, Pennsylvania in September. He weighed in at 126 pounds and competed in the Sub Junior 59 kg weight class. The Gold Medals were earned for bench pressing 259 pounds in the raw competition and 332 pounds (American Record) in the equipped competition. He is led by Coach Joel De La Paz.

“Lunch Angel” donates for elementary lunches Kenny Thompson, also known as The Lunch Angel, with Feed the Future Foundation recently donated $2,000 to Dickinson ISD to help pay for meal charges of elementary students. Food and Nutrition Services removed all student meal charges at our elementary schools with the funds as of October 10, 2018. The Dickinson ISD Board of Trustees honored him at the November board meeting for his contribution and recognized him as an honorary Gator.

Gator football teams have great fall seasons The Dickinson High School Gator Football Team ended the 2018 season 9-1, with only one loss to Clear Springs High School to come in second place in district. As this issue of “Dialogue” went to print, the team was preparing for their first playoff game against . Go Gators! The district’s two junior high schools also had exciting seasons with the Kranz Junior High 7A team and the McAdams Junior High 7B team both earning district championships.

Elementary parents visit for Thanksgiving lunch Thanksgiving was celebrated a little early as nearly 2,500 elemen- tary parents and grandparents were welcomed at all seven Dickinson ISD elementary campuses for a traditional Thanksgiving meal featur- ing turkey supreme and cornbread dressing, candied sweet potatoes, green beans, creamy mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, homemade dinner roll, fresh fruit and pumpkin pie. Helping with the Thanksgiving Lunch were many district ad- ministrators, Education Support Center employees and community members who volunteer to serve while Food and Nutrition employees are busy preparing the extra food. Thank you to all the parents and grandparents for participating in this annual tradition. PAGE 8 DICKINSON DIALOGUE NOVEMBER 2018 Dr. Scott Poland to present on suicide prevention Tips for Parents Dr. Scott Poland will be visiting Dickinson ISD in numerous suicides. The presentation will highlight key January for a day-long presentation on “Youth Suicide: components from the Suicide Safer School plan that Dr. Contemporary Issues in Prevention/Intervention and Post- Poland wrote for the State of Texas that emphasized best Talking to children vention for Schools.” practices. Key components are training in the warning This free presentation, which is scheduled for 8:30 signs of suicide and developing referral procedures to a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, January 11 in the McAdams Junior school mental health professionals. about school threats High Auditorium, is open to parents, school district For more information and to counselors, administrators, special programs staff, and law register for the presentation, scan The following enforcement. the QR code to the right or contact are some tips provided Dr. Poland’s presentation will help increase the un- Kathy Linkey in the Dickinson ISD by Laurie Rodriguez, derstanding of the incidence and most common factors in Special Programs Department at Director of Special youth suicide. Participants will learn effective strategies to 281-229-6087. Programs for prevent youth suicide and lessons from the aftermath of Dickinson ISD, to help parents when talking to their children about the seriousness of school threats.

Open a conversation with your child that includes the following components:

1. Direct statement about the facts 2. Direct instruction about what words and phrases may not be used 3. Descriptive conversation about the conse- quences (getting arrested, getting charged with a misdemeanor or felony, jail time, suspension from school) 4. Statement of expectations the parent has for the child’s behavior

Here’s how a conversation like that could happen:

1. Lately, several students have made threats. Some students have said things to other students in class or on a bus. Others have written things on bathroom walls or posted something on social media. 2. Let’s talk about words you may not use at school. You may not say anything about shooting someone. You may not say anything about bombs. You may not talk about guns, knives, bombs, hurting others, shooting, killing….” 3. When you use unsafe or threatening language, you could a. Be arrested b. Be charged with a crime c. Spend time in jail (Juvenile Justice Center) d. Be suspended from school e. And whatever consequence the parent will provide 4. As your parent, I expect you to NOT use these words. I expect that if you SEE or HEAR something, you SAY something to a trusted adult. NOVEMBER 2018 DICKINSON DIALOGUE PAGE 9 Protecting your child’s mental health One thing the Santa Fe shooting makes obvious is the need to take local action to care rewardable and punishable behaviors, so everyone knows for the mental health needs of our children. Dickinson ISD has taken very proactive mea- what will happen ahead of time and no one is making it up sures in partnering with local mental health organizations, and Innovative Alternatives, on the fly. Perhaps it is your child who has begun to rebel Inc. (IA) is honored to be one of these. IA’s mission is finding solutions to life’s most dif- or you fear they are using alcohol or drugs, or that someone ficult people problems through mediation, counseling and training, since 1989! is picking on them and they won’t tell you what is going on. In this partnership, Dickinson ISD is providing office space for IA counselors at If you notice a sudden change in your child’s behavior, Bay Colony Elementary, Dunbar Middle School and Kranz Junior High. IA is providing mood or in their typical responses to other family members; counselor/mediators for one-half day per week to start and will increase for up to two days you need to sit up and take notice. In these instances, per week to serve the district, as demand requires. We are open to provide services not it can never hurt to have a counseling assessment done to only to your children, but also to you as their family members. Children cannot concen- see if a neutral and objective professional can help you by Sharon Bayus, MA, LPC-S trate on academics at school if they are worried about problems at home. Problems might as the parent, get to the heart of what is happening inside President/CEO & Founder exist between their parents or parents and other siblings, job loss and financial issues, and your child. Often, they just need support through the Innovative Alternatives, Inc. of course, many of these problems stem from the pressures of flooding from Hurricane typical growing pains of life, and for whatever reason, Harvey. Most people do not even realize that the relationship issues they are experiencing it is hard to talk with someone they love about these issues. I know this is hard to accept now are from the trauma of Harvey over a year ago. You need not worry about your con- as a caring parent. My son would not tell me about the bullying he experienced as a child fidentiality between IA and DISD. All intake information is gathered by phone when you from a coach, though he said he wanted to die every day. He didn’t tell me because he call for an appointment through IA’s corporate office in Clear Lake at 713-222-2525. IA is knew I would go and talk to the coach. Another child’s mother had done so and it got a lot just a mile from JSC in Clear Lake and you can also seek services their as well. Confiden- worse for him, so he was too afraid to tell. tial information is stored on an electronic health record system, and nothing is shared with Children hide things from parents for a variety of reasons, sometimes for very caring the school district without express written permission of the client or parents. reasons—knowing we have our own pressures as adults in jobs, relationships, etc. they do IA has eligibility for anyone who has ever experienced a crime for which they need not want us to worry about what they are going through in addition to all these worries. If treatment to address issues related to that experience. To receive free counseling, it does nothing serious is going on, or even if something is going on, but your child is not ready not matter when the crime happened or whether it was ever reported, as long as you wish or open to counseling—we will tell you. We prefer not to give anyone a bad taste in their to deal with symptoms related to the trauma. If it still impacts you emotionally, in relation- mouth about counseling when they are not ready for it. By caring about their needs—even ships by causing lack of trust of others, makes you jumpy, causes nightmares, flashbacks, the need to be left alone—they will come back when they are ready. They almost always anxiety, depression or other symptoms. The key to eligibility is that you need and wish to do, so don’t despair if the counselor cannot reach them in the first appointment any more work on the issues resulting from the crime. Each survivor receives up to 8 free individual than you can at home. sessions and any combination of 18 hours of group skills training (if raised in domestic Most kids are very ready to open up when they don’t have to worry about the adult’s violence, for instance, you may not know how to resolve conflict constructively) and/or feelings or reactions and have someone listening who is solely focused on them and their advocacy services. The exception to this limit is when IA assists a survivor in applica- problems. Many parents brought kids to us after Santa Fe and said, “I don’t think they tion for Crime Victims Compensation for more recent crimes (within the last 3 years) and will talk, we can’t get them to tell us anything about what they went through.” They didn’t those which were reported. want to traumatize their parents, but talked the whole 50 minutes in session. We need to All counseling services needed for issues other than victimization are available on accept that we simply can’t be all things to our kids at all times. sliding scale, based upon the credentialing level of the provider. IA offers free services to Even if your child does not attend one of the schools where IA counselors are locat- survivors of crime, sliding scale services, as well as taking Medicaid and most major in- ed—at Dunbar Middle School, Kranz Junior High or Bay Colony Elementary -- we will surance and employee assistance program benefits. IA offers Family Reconciliation & -In offer after school hours at those schools if we know there is need. Let us know at iai@ tervention Mediation (FRIM) services as well. Again, if things are not good at home, your innovativealternatives.org We are open until 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday at our Clear Lake child will not do well in school. Sometimes, parents disagree about parenting approaches offices and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday. and your child is acting out due to this inconsistency and not really knowing where the We are here to help your child or your family. Teach your children about bullying at boundaries are at any given time. FRIM is a wonderful place to make a parenting plan to home and the school will not need to hire IA to implement anti-bullying programs at your which you can both agree and then provide the structure your child needs to succeed. If school. the child is old enough, we even include them in creating the consequences for both Educating students and parents that school threats can involve serious legal consequences

by Virginia Frank, Assistant Criminal District Attorney in the Juvenile Division is generally detained by law enforcement and placed in juvenile detention at the Juve- of the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office nile Justice Center. The case is simultaneously referred to the District Attorney’s Office where formal charges are filed. The Juvenile Court generally detains the juvenile until The Galveston County Criminal District Attorney’s Office has seen a tremendous they are satisfied that the juvenile can be properly supervised in the community by their increase in the number allegations regarding juveniles who have committed delinquent parent or guardian. In appropriate cases the juvenile is placed in a treatment facility. In conduct involving weapons on campus or threats to commit violent acts at a school. the majority of these cases the District Attorney’s Office and the juvenile’s attorney come All such allegations are taken seriously by law enforcement and many of them result in to an agreement that involves the juvenile getting any necessary counseling or treatment, formal charges. performing community service, and supervision by a juvenile probation officer. A threat to commit violence at a school is a misdemeanor if the threat is directed at The purpose of the prosecution of these cases is to protect the public while also doing an individual person. If the threat involves a substantial group of persons at the school what is in the best interest of the juvenile offender. The juvenile justice department has then it becomes a felony. A common example of this is a juvenile’s threat to “shoot up a resources that can help address the individual needs of juveniles and help prevent future school.” If a student threatens to bring a firearm on school property then this is a mis- delinquent conduct. demeanor, but if the student actually possesses the firearm on campus then it becomes a Students should be encouraged to continue to report any threats of violence or weap- felony. ons on campus. Often, students that commit these offenses are in need of help so students The investigations of these cases are generally initiated by school administration or should also be educated regarding counseling or other resources that the schools provide law enforcement. After an investigation, law enforcement determines whether there is before they resort to delinquent conduct. probable cause to believe the child engaged in delinquent conduct. If so, then the juvenile PAGE 10 DICKINSON DIALOGUE NOVEMBER 2018 Dickinson ISD Emergency Communications

Employees Parents Students Media • Principal email to staff with script • District-wide text, call, email • Teachers will communicate • Respond to media inquiries as to share if needed depending on the nature and with students as needed needed • Email from ESC to all employees severity of the threat • Principal may make an • Print out letter/script for ESC • Additional district-wide text, announcement if needed front desk call, email, if additional follow-up is necessary • For reunifications, further com- munication will be made for location and times • Public Information Office will THREAT SCHOOL post information on district social media and website

A School Threat is a verbal or written threat to cause harm to the school and shared via the larger school community. (Example: A written or verbal threat, including one posted to social media.)

Employees Parents Students Media • Principal email to staff with • Respond to parent inquires as • Principal makes school-wide • Respond to media inquiries as script to share if needed needed announcement needed HOLD Hold: In your classroom. Clear the halls. (Example: Non-emergency reasons, such as disruption in the front office, a fight in the hallway or completion of campus-wide assessments)

Employees Parents Students Media • Principal makes school-wide an- • District-wide text, call, email • Principal makes school-wide • Public Information Office sends nouncement • District-wide text, call, email announcement email to media outlets • Email from ESC to all employees when issue is resolved. • Respond to media inquiries as • Off-site DHS students will be • For reunifications, needed notified to remain off campus further communication will be • Transportation notified made for location and times • Print out letter/script for ESC • Public Information Office will front desk post information on district social media and website FACILITY A Facility Evacuation is when the students and staff are required to exit the building. EVACUATION (Example: Fire (not for drills) or Gas Leak)

DISD and Gaggle partner to monitor Social Sentinel assisting with school student safety with online resources safety through social media monitoring Dickinson ISD is partnering this school year with Gaggle to keep students safe Dickinson ISD has contracted with Social Sentinel to provide social media when they use G Suite for Education from Google. Dickinson ISD will use Gaggle monitoring. They will monitor our area’s social media for threats, suicide ideation Safety Management for G Suite to further promote student and educator productivity and bullying by assessing public posts to determine if they contain harmful lan- in a safe and controlled environment. guage. The assessment is based on a library of more than a half million behavioral Gaggle Safety Management combines technology with expert Safety Repre- threat indicators developed by experts in mental health, public safety, security, sentatives, who review content 24/7 to assure students are safe. Gaggle identifies linguistics and data science. The library continually evolves and adapts to address inappropriate words and images in Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs and more. changes in language and expression. The system is also designed to recognize the Trained professionals then apply consistent, school- or district-approved policies context in which the words were used . for positive intervention, alerting school officials if there is an imminent threat to a Social Sentinel will notify specific Dickinson ISD personnel when this infor- student. mation is identified. The administrators will then work together with the district’s “Gaggle is one of several measures Dickinson ISD is implementing this school school liaison offers to investigate the information and determine if disciplinary year to make our schools safer for students and staff,” said Robert Cobb,Assistant action is necessary. Superintendent for Administration. NOVEMBER 2018 DICKINSON DIALOGUE PAGE 11 Dickinson ISD Emergency Communications

Employees Parents Students Media • Principal email to staff with • District-wide text, call, email • Teachers will communicate • Respond to media inquiries as script to share if needed • District-wide text, call, email with students as needed needed • Email from ESC to all employees when issue is resolved • Principal may make an • Print out letter/script for ESC • For reunifications, further announcement if needed front desk communication will be made for location and times • Public Information Office will post information on district social media and website SHELTER

Shelter is used for a hazard that would require implementation of a safety strategy. (Example: A chemical plant release at a nearby refinery or a reported tornado in the area.)

Employees Parents Students Media • Principal notifies ESC and emails • Call, email and text to campus • Principal makes school-wide • Respond to media inquiries as all staff. parents that lockout is in effect announcement needed • Principal makes school-wide an- for precautionary measures • Reminder from teacher of nouncement only lockout procedures • Transportation Department noti- • Call, email and text to campus • Off-site DHS students will be fied parents once issue is resolved notified to remain off campus • Print out letter/script for ESC • Further notification if end of front desk day dismissal is involved LOCKOUT Lockout: Get inside. Lock outside doors. (Example: Law enforcement notification regarding a police search for burglary suspect or law enforcement serving arrest arrantw in the area.)

Employees Parents Students Media • Principal makes school-wide an- • District-wide call, text and • Principal makes school-wide • Public Information Office sends nouncement email to parents and posting on announcement email to media outlets • Public Information Office will district social media and website • Off-site DHS students will be • Respond to media inquiries as email information to all district • Updated information sent via notified to remain off campus needed employees calls, text, email, social media • Prepare for media to be at the site • Print out letter/script for ESC and website as new information and for press conference front desk becomes available • Initiate Reunification protocol and communication, if necessary • Parent meeting to review incident, answer questions, if needed LOCKDOWN Lockdown: Locks, lights, out of sight. (Example: Aggressive intruder/active shooter on campus) “CharacterStrong” curriculum started “No Place for Hate” program in place at DHS through Navigator class at several Dickinson ISD campuses Dickinson High School is using time during Navigator class this year to teach Several Dickinson ISD schools are promoting respect throughout the campus students about character development and social/emotional learning skills through a by becoming “No Place for Hate” designated campuses. The “No Place for Hate” new “CharacterStrong” curriculum. Navigator is a 25-minute class every Wednesday initiative is a program of the Anti-Defamation League and provides educators and morning, which is basically a homeroom period for students to get important school students with the resources to ensure that anti-bias and diversity education are an information through Gator Nation News plus an opportunity for the teachers to talk integral part of the school curriculum. to students about other important topics, such as character education. Bay Colony Elementary is just one example of the Dickinson ISD campuses The “CharacterStrong” curriculum was built by teachers for other teachers to very involved in the program and was recognized recently with Counselor Amy easily use in classes. Lessons include character development, developing meaningful Cmaidalka earning the Walter Kase Educator Excellence Award for her commitment relationships, community building, cultivating growth mindsets and more. The stu- to integrating the “No Place for Hate” program at the school. She has incorporated dents learn about character dares, which are practical challenges for the students to the program into character traits of the month, daily announcement, school assem- put their character into action as well as the eight essentials of character -- patience, blies and character building activities blended into rotation like physical education, kindesss, humility, respects, selflessness, forgiveness, honesty and commitment. music, art, library and technology. NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE P.O. Drawer Z, Dickinson, TX 77539 PAID DICKINSON, TX 77539 Permit No. 13

Excellence and Equity in Education DICKINSON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT If you need this information in an alternate format, please contact the Public Information Office at 281-229-6080. Si necesitan esta información en una forma alternative, favor de llame a la oficina de información pública al numero 281-229-6080.

PAGE 12 DICKINSON DIALOGUE NOVEMBER 2018 Protecting children online must be a team effort -- schools and parents The Internet is a powerful tool that is so new we do not know the eventual applications students download onto their cell phones consequences of its’ use. What we have learned is the permanence of information to hide text messaging apps, photo albums and posted online and the ability for individuals to hide behind a screen, using this tool other applications. These Vault Apps typically to potentially harm others. Cyberbullying, Cyberstalking, Human Trafficking and appear to be a calculator app but have a small lock Identity Theft are common issues that arise due to unsafe network activity. Educating icon on the keypad. Dickinson ISD students to be safe when utilizing the Internet is a key component of Privacy is no longer the given that many of us the DISD Technology Applications lessons. Students (and adults) must remember that are accustomed to having. One of the teaching tools anything placed online becomes a tattoo that is very difficult to remove. Screenshots that Dickinson ISD will be using with students and of posts may be taken and shared even if the original post has been deleted. Colleges staff includes an online module that teaches what and employers have divisions within their organization to research the online activity information can be found in six simple clicks online of applicants. Scholarships and jobs have been lost due to information found online, about a person. Depending on the number of even very old posts. applications a person uses, the level of security on Cyberbullying, sexting and transmission of inappropriate content are potentially each application and the type of information shared, dangerous activities that students can easily become involved with if not adequately this training shows how quickly a predator could educated and monitored. Cyberbullying includes any activity that is “mean-spirited” learn information about a young person that would and often posted anonymously. Sexting involves the sending of explicit photos or make them an easy target. by Dr. Melissa Williams-Scott words via text message and depending on the severity of the offense, the persons In Dickinson ISD students are provided lessons Executive Director involved and the number of incidences, can be prosecuted under the law. Being aware regarding online safety, responsible use of the of Information Systems of online and texting activity of our children is critical to protecting them. As chil- Internet and appropriate communication techniques. dren grow into adolescence they are more likely to be vulnerable to individuals who District software ensures (Children’s Internet Protection Act) CIPA compliance are looking to groom children for dangerous activity including but not limited to the through monitoring of all district web traffic as well as 24/7/365 monitoring and transmission of drugs, pornography and sex trafficking. alerting of school provided Google Drives and Google Email. In order to help protect children from potentially dangerous online behavior there Protecting our children online must be a team effort. When parents/guardians are monitoring applications that can be installed on devices. Some of these apps are and the schools work together we are more likely to help grow our children into free, others have nominal monthly fees but allow parents/guardians to view and con- responsible adults and keep them safe along the path to adulthood. trol a variety of levels of activity on internet enabled devices. Vault Apps are

Resources to help parents monitor their children’s online activity • MM Guardian Parental Control app • Family 360 app • Open DNS by Cisco • “Our Pact” - www.ourpact.com • Linking iPhone accounts to another device such as an iPad. These are not endorsed by Dickinson ISD but are reasonably priced options that can be useful.

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