About
Westfield Washington Schools School Safety
Westfield Washington Schools (WWS) is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all students, staff, and visitors. The district's comprehensive safety plan integrates physical security measures, emergency preparedness, mental health support, and community collaboration.
Our approach to school safety is multifaceted and proactive. We partner closely with School Resource Officers (SROs) from the Westfield Police Department who serve as a visible, supportive presence in our schools. Our district also employs trained security personnel to monitor facilities and support school operations. In addition, school counselors, school social workers, and licensed mental health professionals play a vital role in identifying and supporting students' social-emotional needs, providing early intervention, and helping foster a culture of care and connection. This integrated model ensures that physical safety and emotional well-being go hand-in-hand in creating a safe school environment for all.
Westfield Washington Schools has multiple certified School Safety Specialists who are trained through the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy. This program offers ongoing, certified training grounded in both national and state best practices. Safety specialists are equipped with the tools and knowledge to lead the development and implementation of comprehensive safety protocols that support prevention, intervention, and emergency preparedness. Initial training includes a three-day in-person course and ten hours of online instruction, with advanced training provided annually through multi-day sessions.
Each school in our district maintains a customized School Safety Plan developed in collaboration with local law enforcement and emergency responders. These plans are reviewed with staff and regularly practiced through drills to ensure everyone understands their roles in a crisis. Classrooms are equipped with emergency reference manuals that provide clear, step-by-step guidance for staff, including quick methods for signaling emergencies or requesting assistance.
WWS holds monthly collaborative meetings with the Westfield Fire Department (WFD) and Westfield Police Department (WPD). These meetings include tabletop emergency exercises, building walkthroughs to increase familiarity, and intentional time to build strong working relationships among district leadership staff and first responders.