We're thrilled to share our latest E-Update, packed with crucial resources and exciting developments to support safe and positive schools across Colorado. This issue covers everything from new training opportunities to significant grant awards and legislative updates.
Highlights from this month's E-Update:
The Colorado Educator Safety Task Force (ESTF), established by House Bill 24-1320 to address educator safety, has released its comprehensive report. This pivotal document examines aggressive or violent student behavior toward school staff, a growing concern evident from a survey of over 1,100 educators. The survey, conducted by Confluence Policy and Strategy Group, revealed a significant problem with violence in schools, aligning with national trends post-COVID.
Attention Colorado School Districts & Law Enforcement! This is your final chance to utilize grant funding for the NASRO 40-hour Basic SRO Training this summer!
In observance of Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month this July, the Office of School Safety is pleased to share a valuable resource: Mental Health America's 2025 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit.
This free toolkit, available in both English and Spanish at mhanational.org/july, is designed to help you initiate important conversations and take actionable steps to improve mental well-being within communities of color.
The Colorado Office of School Safety (OSS) has released its June 2025 E-Update, packed with timely information and resources for promoting safe and positive school environments across the state.
This month's update features crucial details on:
The number of confirmed measles cases in Colorado has increased.
Enhance your school's emergency preparedness! We're sharing a valuable CISA School Safety virtual training that features a facilitated discussion with school security experts. Learn practical strategies for assessing existing plans, making impactful updates even with limited resources, identifying key planning partners, and cultivating a robust safety culture among students and staff. A must-watch for anyone involved in K-12 safety.
Colorado has taken a significant step to support students with dyslexia by enacting a new law requiring universal screenings in all schools starting in the 2027-28 school year. This landmark legislation, signed by Governor Jared Polis, aims to identify the most common learning disability early, ensuring affected children receive the necessary interventions to thrive academically.
Schools and law enforcement nationwide are alerting families to a hazardous TikTok trend, dubbed the "Chromebook Challenge," where students intentionally harm school-issued laptops. This trend involves inserting objects into the USB ports, which can cause the devices to short-circuit, emit smoke, and even ignite.
A comprehensive new report led by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder identifies five crucial strategies for enhancing safety in K-12 schools. The 59-page report synthesizes findings from approximately 100 research projects on school safety efforts, providing evidence-based answers to vital questions.
The study explores the impact of common measures like lockdown drills and metal detectors, offers guidance on responding to warning signs of potential violence, and identifies the most effective strategies for preventing bullying.