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Madison Metropolitan School District

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Office of School Safety

We strive to create learning spaces where all scholars can thrive.

We want our schools to be safe and welcoming environments that nurture academic excellence as well as the social-emotional and physical well-being of all students, staff, and families. We believe the safest schools are those that foster a climate of support and respect and instill a sense of community. School security, incident response, and threat assessments are vital components as well. 

Meet the Directors

Three Phases of Emergency Management

To illustrate our approach to school safety, our actions are categorized into the three phases of emergency management. Much of this work overlaps, but organizing our strategy in this way helps to describe how this looks in schools. 

Prevention

School safety begins with proactively eliminating or reducing the likelihood of unsafe behaviors or events from taking place - whether at school, at home, or in the community. 

Preparedness and Protection

Preparedness in school safety refers to how staff plan, organize, equip, train, and exercise our procedures. Protection involves securing our schools against threats to safety.

Response and Recovery

After an incident has taken place, our response and recovery efforts aim to stabilize the situation, and establish a safe environment as we begin to restore and repair.  

Safety Tips and Resources

crossing guard holds up stop sign
Become a Crossing Guard!

Are you or someone you know, looking for part-time work of 10-15 hours per week? As a Crossing Guard, you will be providing a great service as a friendly face and kin presence to students each morning and afternoon.

National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalist announcement
Tips for National School Bus Safety Week

Across MMSD, more than 7,000 students depend on the bus to get to and from school each day. Now is a great time to review these eight easy bus safety tips with your student.

beSMART logo
Be SMART about Gun Safety and Home Storage

Secure firearm storage is an essential part of home safety. With more guns in more homes due to an unprecedented surge in gun sales over the past two years, it’s more important than ever for parents and caregivers to know how secure storage protects children.

Two hands covered in paint making a heart
May is National Mental Health Month

Mental Health Month raises awareness of trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children, families, and communities. Mental Health Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans' lives, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. We also give thanks to the dedicated mental health providers whose service and support improve the lives of so many Americans

students walking through garden
Every day is a great day to choose active transportation

Through the Safe Routes to School program, The City of Madison, Healthy Kids Collaborative of Dane County, and the Wisconsin Bike Fed are promoting active transportation, important dates, and safety tips for drivers and pedestrians. 

Five crossing guards wearing masks and bright yellow vests. One holds a stop sign.
Will you help our students safely cross streets? 

We are so thankful for our local crossing guards and their commitment to keeping our students safe on their journey to and from school. We need more of them. Would you – or a grandparent or neighbor – consider stepping up and helping our students cross streets safely next school year? The City of Madison is recruiting candidates.

Word bubbles hanging from twine
The Safest Home for a Child is One Without Guns

Did you know roughly a third of U.S. households with children also have guns? In fact, an estimated 4.6 million kids live with unlocked, loaded guns. Studies show children are naturally curious, even about a firearm they've been warned not to touch. The reality is having firearms in the home increases the risk of unintentional shootings, suicide, and homicide. The American Academy of Pediatrics Advises the safest home for a child is one without guns. 

Read more about the risks of having guns in homes and communities. 

Screenshot from Channel 3 news story with students and therapy dog
Therapy Dog Supports East Staff And Students


Meet Bonnie, one of two of the district’s certified WAGS (Wisconsin Academy for Graduate Service) dogs, trained in critical response. “Bonnie is trained to provide lots of love and unconditional non-judgment and positive regard,” MMSD Social Worker and Office of School Safety Director Gina Aguglia said. “It’s a great opportunity for kids who may be struggling to get some additional support.”

Word bubbles hanging from twine
Talking about social media use with your child 

Talking to kids about their use of social media can be hard and sometimes stressful, but it can help influence their behavior online. Interact! is an online, interactive e-course for families (available in English and Spanish) that aims to help you get these conversations started and make them a bit less painful and more productive. Topics include oversharing, inappropriate sexual conduct, bullying, child enticement, and more.