OCPS proclaims this week as America’s Safe Schools Week

Orange County Public Schools officially declared this week as America's Safe Schools Week. 

The National School Safety Center established America's Safe Schools Week as a celebration that takes place across the United States on the third week, Sunday through Saturday, in October. The week encourages schools to initiate safety ideas, presentation, activities and more throughout the week. 

The proclamation from OCPS was issued on Oct. 12 at the School Board Meeting and was signed off on by OCPS Superintendent Barbara M. Jenkins and OCPS Chair Teresa Jacobs. 

The proclamation states that "Excellence in education is dependent on safe, secure and peaceful school settings, a positive climate and safe environment is an established objective within the district’s strategic plan, and prevention and early intervention strategies are used by the district to reduce the occurrence of disciplinary and security incidents within schools."

The proclamation also adds that school safety remains a core priority for the district.

"We believe excellence in education is dependent on safe, secure and peaceful school settings," an OCPS spokesperson said. "The district continuously demonstrates its commitment by delivering comprehensive school safety programming through its work with law enforcement; enhanced physical security improvements; district and school threat assessment teams; the use of a visitor management system; and preparedness training for schools and staff."

America's Safe School Week runs from Sunday, Oct. 17 through Saturday, Oct. 23.