Safety and Wellness

Our crisis response model is to alert, lockdown, inform, counter, and evacuate. It is essentially an alternate look at how to respond in an armed intruder situation. It is not a set protocol but rather a set of options to consider in such a scenario. 

Representatives from the Arkansas City Police Department have trained all district staff members and will educate students in a manner very appropriate for each age range. Our hope is that by educating our staff and students, we might be able to reduce fear and casualties in the event of an active intruder situation.

Tips for Talking to Children about Violence

USD 470 Emergency Communication/Procedures

Each of our schools teaches the CharacterStrong character development curriculum. CharacterStrong is research-based curriculum intended to impact social emotional learning, character development, and school culture. Ultimately, it helps us help students become the best versions of themselves. 

CharacterStrong

If you or someone you know is affected by suicide, please call for help. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling 9-8-8.

Arkansas City High School and Arkansas City Middle School both have Hope Squads. 

Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. Hope Squad members are nominated by their classmates as trustworthy peers and trained by advisors. The program reduces youth suicide through education, training, and peer intervention. 

The Kansas Legislature has passed and the Kansas Governor has signed SB 323 which is known as the Jason Flatt Youth Suicide Awareness Act. The provisions of this bill relevant to suicide awareness and prevention are:

• The board of education of each school district shall provide suicide awareness and prevention programming to all school staff and shall notify the parents or legal guardians of students enrolled in such school district that the training materials provided under such programming are available to such parents or legal guardians.
• Such programming shall include at a minimum: At least one hour of training each calendar year based on programs approved by the State Board of Education. Such training may be satisfied through independent self-review of suicide prevention training materials, and A building crisis plan developed for each school building. Such plan shall include:
• Steps for recognizing suicide ideation; Appropriate methods of interventions; and A crisis recovery plan. On or before January 1, 2017, the State Board of Education shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

Find more suicide prevention resources below:

Hope Squad

Jason Foundation

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

USD 470 Board of Education Policy JDDC prohibits bullying in any form on school property, in a school vehicle or at a school sponsored activity or event. Students who have been subjected to bullying should immediately report bullying incidences to the appropriate authority which may include any USD 470 staff member including certified or non-certified personnel, building administration, or district administration. Once a report of bullying has been made to a USD 470 staff member, appropriate reporting and investigation will pursue. Students who have bullied others in violation of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension and expulsion. If appropriate, students who violate the bullying prohibition shall be reported to local law enforcement.

Report Bullying