West Virginia schools collaborate for your child’s safety in the classroom

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — It’s a fear parents face every time their student steps on that bus.

Will my child face an emergency at school?

Can I protect them from the unknown?

School administrators answered that agonizing question at Wheeling’s White Palace today, showing how we can replace panic with action.

From armed intruders to weather emergencies, West Virginia’s Department of Education covered every possible danger at its Regional School Safety meeting.

The agency says threats to students evolve constantly, especially with online access—and administrators have to be a few steps ahead of the latest ones.

A new online database allows districts to submit safety plans to the state for approval, and easily update when, where and how they will be executed.

And no matter your connection to your local schools—you play a part in preventing a crisis.

“School safety is everyone’s responsibility, every parent, every child, every community member. Even if you don’t have children in the school system, every teacher or school administrator, everyone has a responsibility for school safety.”

Jonah Adkins, Director of School Safety, WV Department of Education

Acting on even the smallest suspicion can stop a tragedy, and here’s how you can report it in West Virginia.

The See Send app lets you provide a picture, video and description of what you know.

Your tip could turn a warning sign into an averted threat.

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