Our staff appreciates your cooperation in observing our campus security protocols. Your continued understanding and flexibility help us maintain secure facilities.
The Round Rock ISD Police Department focuses on prevention. We regularly revisit and revise procedures and perform training to advance our priority of keeping students and staff safe. Our wrap-around preventive and responsive safety services include:
- Improving student academic achievement and well-being by providing mental health services.
- Assessing and improving physical and environmental safety.
- Practicing de-escalation strategies.
- Partnering with area law enforcement and other social services to promote public safety in our community.
In the Spring semester, students enjoy new opportunities and celebrations. Equally, they can experience stress and anxiety. And like the rest of us, students may need more support than usual when they become overwhelmed. If you have concerns, please contact your child’s school counselor.
In closing, I’d like to remind everyone if you see something, say something. Anonymous Reporting allows students or parents to anonymously submit any sensitive or urgent student issues quickly to school officials. Students, staff, or parents can submit reports such as bullying, cyberbullying, depression, dating violence, drug or alcohol use, threats against the school, weapons on campus, and more. All messages submitted remain completely anonymous.
Dennis Weiner
Round Rock ISD Chief of Police
Tips for Children Walking or Biking to School
- Always cross at intersections and designated crosswalks. Look left, right, and left again before proceeding. Never attempt to cross a multi-lane highway.
- Always walk on sidewalks whenever they’re available.
- Look for traffic when stepping off a bus or from behind parked cars.
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. Never assume a driver sees you.
- Always obey crossing guards.
- Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.
- When walking, don’t be distracted by electronic devices, such as a cell phone that takes your eyes and ears off the road.
- Look for cars turning in all directions, including those turning left or right. Be visible at all times to drivers.
- Follow all traffic rules, signs, and signals.
Safety Starts at the Bus Stop
Students should arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive and wait for the bus: at least three giant steps (six feet) away from the curb. Please remind younger students that the bus stop is not a place to run or play. When the school bus arrives, students should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay before approaching the bus door. Your child should use the handrails to avoid falling.
Bus Safety Rules
🚍 Buckle seat belts – It’s the law!
🚍 Bus riders are required to have and use SMART®Tag.
🚍 Riders are to remain seated at all times.
🚍 Students can only get on and off at their assigned stops.
Bus drivers use yellow flashing lights to indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. Texas law dictates motorists to stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.
Fentanyl in Communities
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid typically used to treat patients with chronic severe pain or severe pain following surgery. Under the supervision of a licensed medical professional, fentanyl has a legitimate medical use.
According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) website, illicitly manufactured fentanyl is often the ingredient used in counterfeit pills purchased on the street – sold as something else like Xanax, Percocet, or oxycodone. While fentanyl may be present in pills, it can also be found in more commonly used products such as vape cartridges.
Round Rock ISD secondary campus nurses and police officers are equipped with Narcan, a potentially life-saving medication designed to help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
Learn more about fentanyl in communities and find links to local and national resources.
It’s not just Vape
A disturbing trend is altering vaping devices by injecting fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other illegal substances into the vaping liquid. The fragrant vape juices make these dangerous and highly-addictive drugs difficult to detect and can expose unknowing students to harmful and potentially deadly substances.
While there are many different types of vaping devices, the vape pen remains popular. There are colorful ones that look like ballpoint pens or highlighters for students. There are even vape pens now that you can use for writing! One of the most popular vape pen designs looks like a USB drive.
Please talk to your students about the dangers and consequences of illegal drug use. Whether your student vapes or not, your conversation can help drive awareness and empower your student to help a friend or classmate who may be experimenting with drugs.
Visit our fentanyl in communities page for substance abuse and mental health services resources.
COMING SOON: FREE Personal safety app
Later this Spring, students, District families, and staff will have access to a FREE community safety app. The app provides users a place to store pre-911 call information on their smartphone; for example, name, address, and description of someone the user may be afraid of, medical information, information on their family members, pets, vehicles, or disaster plans.
The system is voice-activated, records and stores audio and video evidence, and automates evidence transmission and chain of custody. There is no cost to the app user.
As soon as the system becomes available to our District, the Round Rock ISD Police Department will communicate and encourage District families to download the voluntary public safety tool.
Talk Saves Lives. Is it time to talk to someone?
There’s no single cause of Suicide.
Suicide most often occurs when stressors and health issues converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair. Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, often undiagnosed or untreated. Most people who actively manage their mental health conditions lead fulfilling lives. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance use problems, especially when unaddressed, increase the risk of suicide.
Round Rock ISD’s Counseling Services works with the Round Rock ISD’s Behavioral Health Department to operate campus-based Mental Health Centers staffed by licensed therapists with Bluebonnet Trails Community Services. For more information, contact your child’s school counselor.
Visit the Round Rock ISD website for Suicide Prevention Resources and Information
Do you know what it takes to remain safe online? FortifiED Cybersecurity Blog
Our students, staff, and community safety is paramount, offline and online. FortifiED is a blog dedicated to educating about all things cybersecurity. Round Rock ISD’s cybersecurity director shares information and tips about protecting your data and helping you make better decisions on social media. Go to FortifiED
Know the Drill: Safety and Security Terminology
Secure:
There is a possible threat outside. The building is secured to prevent entry or exit. No one is allowed in or out of the building. Generally, the instructional day continues as usual. Typically, it only impacts planned outdoor activities and could affect campus start or dismissal times.
A campus administrator may announce LockOUT when there is police activity in the area and there is a report of a suspicious or threatening person, a dangerous animal, or other environmental hazards close to campus. Campuses perform two LockOUT drills each semester.
LockDOWN:
There is a report of a possible threat inside the building, such as an intruder, weapon, hostile individual, criminal activity, or an active shooter.
During LockDOWN, classroom doors and offices are secured, and room occupants are silent and removed from the line of sight of corridor windows. Campuses perform two LockDOWN drills per semester. If students or staff are in an unsecured area or outside during LockDOWN, they are instructed to go to the safest possible area away from the threat.
Evacuate:
Students and staff will be moved from one location to a predetermined evacuation area, usually outside the building, if there is a report of a fire, bomb threat, or other emergencies. Campuses conduct one evacuation (fire) drill every month with ten or more instructional days.
Shelter:
In the event of a tornado, severe weather, flooding, earthquake, a hazardous spill, or release, students and staff may need to shelter in place. Campuses perform two shelter drills per semester.