CAJON VALLEY HOSTS SIX PUBLIC MEETINGS ON SCHOOL SAFETY

East County News Service

February 1, 2019 (El Cajon) – Cajon Valley Union School District invites parents to attend one or more of six school safety meetings where the district will share results of safety audits and recommendations. Participants will also engage with leaders from the El Cajon Police and Sheriff departments on immediate and long-term steps to maximize security and safety on campuses of students, teachers and staff.  

To attend, please RSVP to email@blackboard.com and complete this survey.  The meeting dates and locations are: 

2/7/19 at 6 p.m. - Hillsdale Middle School, 1301 Brabham Street, El Cajon

2/19/19 at 6 p.m. - Greenfield Middle School, 1495 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon

2/27/19 at 6 p.m. - Montgomery Middle School, 1570 Melody Lane, El Cajon

3/14/19 at 6 p.m. - Cajon Valley Middle School, 550 E. Park Avenue, El Cajon

3/21/19 at 6 p.m. - Emerald Middle School, 1221 S. Emerald Avenue, El Cajon

3/27/19 at 6 p.m. - Los Coches Creek Middle School, 9669 Dunbar Lane, El Cajon

Last year the Cajon Valley Governing Board hired two school safety consultants, AECOM and DMB, to perform safety and security audits of all 27 schools.  AECOM focused on  facilities, security equipment, and physical environments.  DMB conducted audits of policies, protocols, emergency preparedness and response procedures.  The Board also hired Ryan Love, former San Diego Sheriff and District Attorney Investigator, to oversee this work and serve as full-time Coordinator of Safety and Security for the Cajon Valley Union School District.  

“Creating a safe school environment requires deep commitment from teachers, staff, and administrators,” says Superintendent David Miyashiro. “We also need the support of law enforcement, parents, the community, the media, and the students themselves in order to be most effective at maintaining a safe and positive school climate.”

According to Miyashiro, a safe school environment is one where teaching and learning are not distracted; disruptions are minimized; drugs, violence, bullying, harassment and fear are not present; students are not discriminated against; expectations for behavior are clearly communicated; and consequences for infractions are both consistently and fairly applied.  A safe school environment also means being prepared and knowing what to do in the case of an emergency, a threat to safety, or rumored threat to safety.

Students who perceive their school to be safe are more likely to be happy and engaged with both their classwork and friendships, the Superintendent’s letter to parents concludes, adding, “The most effective approach to creating safe school environments requires a comprehensive, coordinated effort including schoolwide, districtwide and communitywide strategies.”