Arcadia Unified is proud to have participated in a Fox11 news story on school safety, showcasing our efforts to protect students and staff from potential threats like school shootings. Watch the full story at Fox11 News Story on School Shooting Safety.
Ensuring the safety and security of our students is our top priority, and while we have already taken many steps, we are committed to doing even more, which is why the Arcadia Unified School District Board of Education unanimously approved Measure AS for the upcoming November ballot. If passed, Measure AS will raise $358 million to fund essential upgrades to our schools, with a significant focus on improving school safety and security on all of our campuses.
Since the beginning of this school year, we have had two school lockdowns and the police at one of our elementary schools four times. Last school year, we had seven lockdowns, with one of our elementary schools being placed on lockdown four times.
Measure AS is designed to:
✅ Modernize and secure classroom facilities
✅ Upgrade and add cameras, keyless door locks and fobs, buzzer and ID recognition systems
✅ Improve emergency communication and response systems
✅ Upgrade campus fencing, lighting, and security monitoring
✅ Ensure every school is equipped with state-of-the-art safety measures
✅ Upgrade fiber optic internet cables to improve speed and ensure reliability
✅ Continue to provide clean and safe air and drinking water
To learn more, visit our Measure AS page: https://www.ausd.net/apps/pages/MeasureAS.
Our Current Safety Initiatives, many thanks to Measure I passed in 2006, include:
🔒 Upgraded security systems, including cameras and controlled access points
👮 Partnerships with local law enforcement for rapid response
📚 Comprehensive safety training for students and staff
🚨 Regular emergency drills for various scenarios
🏫 Improved communication systems to ensure quick and clear updates
You can learn more about our comprehensive safety Preparedness at https://www.ausd.net/apps/pages/safetypreparedness.
Focus on Mental Health and Wellness:
In addition to our past and current security and safety preparedness efforts, we have also put a significant focus and investment in mental health and wellness. Some of our mental health and wellness initiatives include:
❤️At least one full-time counselor at each of our schools, including a wellness counselor
🤝Wellness Centers and spaces at each campus
👍Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) training & system of teaching/support for our students
💝CareSolace ensures students, families, and staff have access to mental health services and resources
🧑School Psychologists
🧠Mental Health and Wellness seminars, weeks, and activities
💻Hazel Health, a free virtual mental health service available to all students
⏰Trained Crisis Response Teams at every school, allowing for quick action to address threats and potential self-harm
🟢Restorative Practices
You can learn more about our mental health and wellness resources at https://bit.ly/ausdmentalhealth
While we place safety preparedness and mental health and wellness as top priorities, we know that school safety is a larger community and societal issue that we all need to work on together and support each other as parents, community leaders, students, educators, and advocates for a peaceful community. We greatly appreciate your interest in this critical topic and your continued support of our students, staff, and community.
Sincerely,
Arcadia Unified