Presentation submission for SXSW Edu 2019

2. Dr. Perez does not claim to have all of the answers to school safety
but that will not keep her from sharing what she has learned during
the Class of 2018, the age of school shootings.
• 2015 TASSP High School Principal of the Year
• 2017-18 TXSSC Board of Directors (appointed by Governor Abbott)
• Re-appointed to an additional term on the TXSSC 2018-19
• Served on First round table discussion to help create the Governor’s
School Safety Plan after Parkland and Santa Fe High School shootings
• Served on follow-up committees focused on Governor Abbott’s School
Safety Plan hosted by Governor’s office
• Hosted Town-Hall style forum for over 200 student-representatives with
3 state legislators, Senator Chuy Hinojosa, Representative Todd Hunter
and Representative Abel Herrero (lauded as a model for the nation)
• Serves on Representative Todd Hunter’s School Safety Committee
DR. CISSY REYNOLDS-PEREZ

3. I HEAR VOICES!
•Student-voice and teacher-voice
•Police/SRO’s
•Custodians & bus drivers…..yes, the custodians & bus drivers
•Administrators
•Counselors
•Parents
•Nearby business community

4. SAMPLES OF OVER 2,000 STUDENT LETTERS

7. NPR – Post Shooting Classes to Resume at Santa Fe High School
CNN – Texas Educators Speak Out at Roundtable on Keeping Kids Safe in School
Speaking up
to the nation

8. ARE WE AT A TIPPING POINT?
•Stress! Stress! Stress!
Generation of test stress!
•Focused on STAAR instead of quality
social-emotional skills
•Social media-desensitized
•Socially illiterate – don’t know how to
socialize personally
•Bullying

9. IT’S ABOUT THE ROOT NOT THE WEAPON!
•Know your students; no excuses
•Kids need to be heard
•Kids need an adult they can turn to
•Kids and teachers need de-escalation tips
•Kids are falling through the cracks
•Staffing ratios not adequate
•School Safety Team needs a plan

10. • Access District crisis team to provide counseling
• Media - be in control of your own message!
• Script a consistent but non-robotic
message for your staff and subs
• Yes, talk to the kids.
• Know your students; NO excuses!
AFTERMATH - SO NOW WHAT?

11. • Human resources are your most important resources
• Students are some of your best eyes and ears
• Build relationships with your entire team, including your students
• Technology…….apps, cell phones, etc.
• Assign some of your teachers to take leadership roles
• Retired coaches, teachers, military as monitors before and after
school
• Texas School Safety Center www.txssc.txstate.edu
TOOLS/RESOURCES/TAKE-AWAYS

12. MORE TOOLS/RESOURCES/TAKE-AWAYS
• Invite police to park on campus to do paperwork or have lunch
on campus
• Know the protocol!
• Schedule your students so that they have at least one class or
club where they can be/feel a part of something.
• Network with other educators to learn from each others’
experiences.

13. LET’S BE REAL……WHEN IT COMES TO SCHOOL
SAFETY, IT’S ABOUT THE ROOT, NOT THE WEAPON.
KNOW YOUR STUDENTS; NO EXCUSES!
ONE PLAN DOES NOT FIT ALL. YOUR CAMPUS;
YOUR PLAN!