Department of School Safety
About School Safety
The Habersham County School System prioritizes a comprehensive approach to school safety that includes physical security, mental health support, and partnerships with local first responders. This strategy aims to create a secure and nurturing learning environment for all students, faculty, and staff. The Habersham Schools Department of School Safety is also a full-service, school-based policing agency that coordinates and collaborates with school administration and other school system departments, as well as local first responders and community organizations, to create and enhance safe learning environments.
School Resource Officer (SRO) Program
The Habersham Schools Department of School Safety partners with the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office and local city police departments to staff full-time School Resource Officers (SRO’s) at each of the 14 Habersham County Schools. SROs are instrumental in maintaining a safe and secure environment for students, employees, and visitors within the school district. They undergo training that adheres to the Georgia Alliance of School Resource Officers and Educators (GASROE) TRIAD School-Based Policing Model. This approach prioritizes a student-centered focus, with SROs acting as a resource rather than merely a reactive force. They achieve this by collaborating with school administration to implement restorative practices. The use of the criminal justice system is considered a last resort rather than the initial course of action.
Other Safety Initiatives
The school system also implements other measures to ensure student safety, including:
- Habersham Schools FIRST ALERT APP
- GASROE SAFER Assessment Tool
- GASROE B.R.A.V.E. Anti-Bullying Investigative Tool
- SCHOOLDOG
- BARK
- SAFE SCHOOL SITE ASSESSMENTS
- SAFE SCHOOL PLANS
- ACCESS CONTROL
- AVIGILON CAMERAS
- CENTEGIX CRISIS ALERT SYSTEM
- SITUATIONAL AWARENESS TRAINING
- DISTRICT SAFETY TRAINING
- COLLABORATIVE SCHOOL PERSONNEL AND FIRST RESPONDER EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING
- TEACHING OUR YOUTH SAFETY (T.O.Y.S.) IN SCHOOLS K-4 Visitation Program
- GANG RESISTANCE EDUCATION AND TRAINING (G.R.E.A.T.) Program
