The San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) and its partners in the Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities have created resources to help school districts create safe and supportive schools where students can thrive.

The Big Five

The Big Five is a common emergency plan adopted by all San Mateo County school districts and law enforcement agencies. Created by San Mateo County's Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities, it provides five immediate action responses in any given emergency: Shelter in Place; Drop, Cover, and Hold On; Secure Campus; Lockdown/Barricade; and Evacuation.

The Big Five has become the cornerstone of emergency response for San Mateo County’s schools. Versions of The Big Five are available for administrators, school staff, and the community:

Additional Protocols

The Big Five is made engaging and easy to understand through the children's book, Think on Your Feet Peet. This book acts as a great entry-point to the Big Five in classroom settings. For a Step by Step school intergration process, please contact: Mason Henricks (mhenricks@smcoe.org)

Emergency Management Resource Guide

Emergency management includes four key phases: mitigation/prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. Becoming familiar with all of these phases can help a school be better prepared in case of an emergency. 

Four Phases of an Emergency

 

Student Threat Assessment and Suicide Prevention

The San Mateo County Office of Education has revised the Student Threat Assessment Level 1 Protocol and the Suicide Prevention Protocol for the 2022/2023 school year. This training reviews the changes for returning staff as well as provides an overview of each protocol for new staff. As students return to campus, revisiting both protocols is extremely important.

Student Threat Assessment

Each school site should form a Level One Student Threat Assessment Team, which is a multidisciplinary team consisting of an administrator, a school counselor, and a School Resource Officer to support students who may pose as a threat to themselves or others. The Level One Team will investigate the incident and fill out the assessment form linked below.

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) and Sexual Assault

Online Safety Guide for Parents of Children and Teens (English) (Spanish)

How to Talk to Your Children about Sex, Sexting, and Digital Safety (English) (Spanish)

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)

Sexual Assault

Mary McGrath

Executive Director, Safe and Supportive Schools

Email: mmcgrath@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 802-5425

Mason Henricks

Coordinator, School Safety and Risk Prevention

Email: mhenricks@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 802-5434