Daggett School District

Safety

District Safety Procedures

     In 2013, the Daggett School District Safety Committee worked together to assemble a comprehensive Emergency Procedure Manual.  That manual has been the standing procedure for the district since then.  Principals of each school in the district were directed to organize a School Safety Committee and, with their help, use the District Emergency Procedure Manual as a template to create a School Emergency Procedure Manual.  

     Yearly, principals, working with their School Safety Committee, review the School Emergency Procedure Manual ensuring that the procedures are still current, editing and adjusting where necessary.  Each school in Daggett School District has an up-to-date Emergency Procedures Manual, adapted specifically to their individual school.  Manuals will not be published on the school website; however, they are available for review upon request.

     We thank the efforts of those who have served on the various District and School Safety Committees who spent countless hours reading, researching, and compiling the information that became the final documents throughout the district.

Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines

The Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG), originally known as the Virginia Student Threat Assessment Guidelines, is an evidence-based model for schools to use in conducting threat assessments in K-12 schools. This model was developed by Dr. Dewey Cornell and colleagues at the University of Virginia in 2001 and has been extensively examined through field tests and controlled studies that demonstrate its utility and effectiveness. CSTAG has been widely adopted by schools in Virginia and nationwide, and was recognized as an evidence-based program by the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices in 2013. This model is accepted by the Daggett School District Board of Education.

A threat is a communication of intent to harm someone that may be spoken, written, gestured, or expressed in some other form, such as via text messaging, email, or other digital means. An expression of intent to harm someone is considered a threat regardless of whether it is communicated to the intended target(s) and regardless of whether the intended target is aware of the threat. Threats may be implied by behavior that an observer would reasonably regard as threatening, planning, or preparing to commit a violent act. When in doubt, treat the communication or behavior as a threat and conduct a threat assessment. Threats that are not easily recognized as harmless (e.g., an obvious joke that worries no one) should be reported to the school administrator or other team members. The administrator or another team member makes a preliminary determination of the seriousness of the threat. The student, targets of the threat, and other witnesses should be interviewed to obtain information using this protocol. A transient threat means there is no sustained intent to harm and a substantive threat means the intent is present (or not clear) and therefore requires protective action. This form is a guide for conducting a threat assessment, but each case may have unique features that require some modification.

A threat assessment is not a crisis response. If there is indication that violence is imminent (e.g., person has a firearm at school or is on the way to school to attack someone), a crisis response is appropriate. Take immediate action such as calling 911 and follow the school crisis response plan.

Below is a model of the School Threat Assessment Decision Tree:

Safe UT App

The SafeUT Crisis Text and Tip Line is a statewide service that provides real-time crisis intervention to youth through texting and a confidential tip program – right from your smartphone or by clicking the buttons below.

On your electronic device, click the link below to your store of choice to download the app.

Licensed clinicians at a 24/7 CrisisLine call center respond to all incoming chats, texts, and calls by providing supportive or crisis counseling, suicide prevention, and referral services. 

Anyone can receive help with an emotional crisis, bullying, relationship problems, and mental health or suicide-related issues.

Emergency Communications Procedures

     Schools in Daggett School District will remain open, if at all possible, on all scheduled school days. Even when weather conditions are severe, every effort will be made to keep schools open in the belief that it is in the best interest of the students.  The District is concerned about the safety of all students, staff, and patrons.  We encourage everyone to use caution traveling safely to and from our schools and buildings. 

     The District recognizes the rights of parents to make decisions that are best for their children.  Therefore, the option to keep children home when weather conditions are severe is always at the parents’ discretion and the school respects the decision.  Students who are kept home by a parent or guardian will not be penalized for their absence or tardiness.  Make-up schoolwork may be necessary, but schools will accommodate students on the timely completion of required assignments or tests. 

     On occasion, weather may be so extreme the District will close schools or implement a late start or early dismissal.  The following information outlines the communication procedures that will be followed if such school closures or delays become necessary.

Media Announcements 
Parents and employees should listen to these designated radio or television stations for school closure information between the hours of 6-8 a.m. (If schools dismiss early, the media will air the announcement as soon as possible.)

Radio Station

  • KSL-1160 AM/102.7 FM

TV Stations 

  • KSL Channel 5

  • KUTV Channel 2

  • KTVX Channel 4

  • Fox-News Channel 13

Listen for One of These Messages 
One of the following messages will be aired by the media:

  • Schools Will Have a "Work from Home" Day (day and date)

  • Schools Will Start Late (day, date, and start time)

  • Schools Will Dismiss Early (day, date, and dismiss time) 

Keep Phones Accessible 
Phones will be used for emergencies therefore, parents are asked not to call the schools or the District.  Schools have a text alert system organized that contacts every family in the district to push out information. 

District-Wide Text Alert System
Texts will be sent out immediately following decisions made regarding school "work from Home Days or starting late. 

"Work from Home" Days Posted on the Web
School closure information will be posted by 6 a.m. on Daggett School District’s website. 

Authorized Statements
The media will only announce school "Work from Home" days when authorized by the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee. 

Closures for One Day Only
All announcements are for one day only. 

Normal Operation
No announcement means normal operation. 

Parents Need An Emergency Plan
Parents are encouraged to establish an emergency plan for their children in the event that schools are closed, start late or are dismissed early. Parents should instruct their children where to go or what to do if a parent is not at home. 

Bus Stops
On severe weather days, understand that buses may be running late due to road conditions and/or traffic delays. Please watch for an email, phone or text messages regarding delayed bus routes.  Parents are asked to wait with and/or meet their students at bus stops when buses are running on delayed or emergency schedules. 

Make-up Days
The Utah State Board of Education requires a minimum number of instructional days of school.  Days lost because of inclement weather will be made up.   Make-up days are rare now because of the "Work from Home" option the district uses on days of inclement weather.

Please contact the principal at your local school for additional information.