Safety Tips for Students

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Frequently Asked Questions

Many parents and community members are concerned about issues of school safety. Listed below are some frequently asked questions about our preparedness efforts.

How do schools prepare for and practice responses to emergencies?

Schools prepare for and practice responses to emergency situations using drills and tabletop exercises. All schools are required to have Safe School Plans and a School Emergency Response Team (SERT).

For additional information visit the Emergency Management website.

What do I do if something happens on my way to school?

If you’re a student you should immediately take whatever steps necessary to keep yourself safe.
If you’re in danger call out for help until someone hears you.
If you have a cell phone, call the police using 911.
If the incident involves another student alert the SRO, school staff member, or teacher when you arrive at school.

If I see someone knocking on the door, at my school, should I let them in?

NO!

Everyone visiting your school must go to the main entrance and sign-in at the front lobby. Staff members have their own key or card to let themselves in. Students are supervised and assisted by staff to accommodate access to the school.

How do I report something that I think could be bad?

If you see something, say something.

If you know of a threat someone is making to others, themselves, or to school property, you should report it.

Contact your school SRO, your principal, a teacher, or you can call the anonymous SpeakOut Hotline at 800-423-8477.

What do I do if I see something suspicious on campus or something happens at a bus stop?

If you’re a student you should immediately take whatever steps necessary to keep yourself safe. If the actions that you are witnessing are violent in nature or harmful to people you should call the police using 911.

As soon as possible notify the school bus driver, school resource officer (SRO), or teacher.

Community Support Resources

Bullying

Bullying in schools is of increasing focus for Florida schools, districts, and for the Florida Department of Education. Florida Statute 1006.147, also known as The Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act, requires school districts to adopt an official policy prohibiting bullying and harassment of students and staff on school grounds, at school-sponsored events, and through school computer networks.

StopBullying.gov Logo (decorative
Bullying Hotline - https://www.stopbullying.gov/

What is Bullying?
Systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; or unreasonably interfere with the individual’s school performance or participation.

Suicide and Mental Health

Suicide Prevention Hotline Logo (decorative)
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Mental Health America of Central Florida https://www.mhacf.org/

Dial 2-1-1 in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, & Brevard Counties

Text "connect" to 85511 if you prefer to text someone.

Crisis

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IMAlive - An online crisis network where you can online chat to receive help on issues such as mental health, family difficulties, depression, suicide, crime violence, etc. https://www.imalive.org

Crisis Text Line: Text Hello to 741741 Logo
Crisis Text Line - Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information via a medium people already use and trust: text. https://www.crisistextline.org/texting-in

Safety is Everyone's Business!

Submit a tip if you are aware of any harmful or hurtful activity. Click the following FortifyFL image to access the tip submission form. Please note, this is not an OCPS website or form and you will be directed to an external source after clicking on the image.

Call 911 if you have an emergency!

Orange County Public Schools