Essential education reporting across America

School safety

A flooded street with some cars partially under water
From Chalkbeat New York School safety
As NYC flooded, Eric Adams ordered schools to shelter in place. No one told principals.
An education department spokesperson said the agency communicated through a press conference and social media. But no one communicated directly to principals.
By Michael Elsen-Rooney, Amy Zimmer, and 1 more
 
Three students walk next to red lockers in the hallway at Lake View High School in Chicago.
From Chalkbeat Chicago School safety
Chicago schools shifted their approach to safety and discipline. Researchers, officials, and activists say it’s working.
New research from the University of Chicago Education Lab found a drop in student suspensions and arrests at schools with restorative justice practices. Officials and activists say ongoing partnership to create safer schools could be a national model.
By Becky Vevea
 
An outdoor shot of several people bending over to plant flowers in a grassy area
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Gun Violence and Schools
On a grim anniversary, Roxborough High remembers a young victim of gun violence
Last school year, 199 Philadelphia students were victims of gun violence, and 33 died.
By Dale Mezzacappa
 
A woman wearing an orange and black jacket stands behind a microphone set up in a library.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Politics & Policy
MSCS board retains its leadership as Greene and Dorse-Coleman win reelection
Vote signals continued trust in Greene as the district proceeds with revamped superintendent search.
By Laura Testino
 
A Shelby County Schools employee sanitizes one of many long cafeteria tables while a group of people stand toward the back of the room.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee School safety
Memphis custodial service plan would let school staff hold vendors accountable for cleanliness
A proposed contract, due for a board vote next week, would split the work among four vendors, including ServiceMaster Clean.
By Laura Testino
 
The exterior of a beige brick school
From Chalkbeat New York School safety
Instagram accounts shut down after NYC principal threatens to suspend student followers
The principal at Francis Lewis High School said one student was responsible for the accounts.
By Alex Zimmerman
 
The exterior of a brick school building with trees in the middle of a large courtyard
From Chalkbeat New York School safety
NYC principal threatens to suspend students who follow specific Instagram accounts
The New York Civil Liberties Union said the policy is unconstitutional, but education department officials defended it.
By Alex Zimmerman
 
Crossing guard helps families walk busy street.
From Chalkbeat Newark School safety
Newark Police still struggling to fill crossing guard vacancies
As a new school year gets underway, the Newark Police Department is struggling to fill vacant crossing guard positions. Some community groups want the department to change its application process.
By Samantha Lauten
 
The exterior of a two-story brick school building, with steps leading up to a doorway, viewed from across the street.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee School safety
Mold dislodges students from Memphis’ 114-year-old Peabody Elementary School
Building’s age has made cleanup more difficult, district officials said.
By Tonyaa Weathersbee
 
CO_09012023_McAuliffe_MelanieAsmar_02.jpg
From Chalkbeat Colorado School safety
Fired McAuliffe principal Kurt Dennis sues Denver Public Schools, alleging retaliation
Dennis claims DPS fired him in retaliation for speaking to the media about safety concerns and then publicly disparaged him.
By Melanie Asmar
 
Women hold up signs of protest in a legislative chamber filled with people.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Gun Violence and Schools
Tennessee’s special session on public safety ends with little action on guns
Gov. Bill Lee lauds extra $100 million for school safety, mental health, and more.
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
Auon_tai_Anderson_McAuliffe_press_conference.jpg
From Chalkbeat Colorado Denver Public Schools
Denver school board upholds firing of McAuliffe Principal Kurt Dennis
The Denver school board backed the superintendent’s decision to fire Kurt Dennis. The popular McAuliffe principal spoke out about safety concerns, then was accused of mistreating students.
By Melanie Asmar
 
Three men wearing uniforms escort a woman from a crowded room.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Gun Violence and Schools
Bills to let Tennessee teachers and citizens carry guns in schools advance in legislature
Senate leaders signal they may block both proposals.
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
A line of people hold hands and bow their heads around a stone building.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Gun Violence and Schools
Tennessee legislature will avoid gun control in special session prompted by mass school shooting
Governor’s proclamation and new House rules limit subjects and debate.
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
a girl in shorts overalls and a white t-shirt climbs up a bright yellow slide
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Gun Violence and Schools
Philadelphia school’s new playground gives families reason to rejoice amid safety fears
The number of schools with elementary-age children that have play equipment has risen in recent years, the district said.
By Dale Mezzacappa
 
CO_08082023_Aurora_Superintendent_Michael_Giles_HyoungChange_Denver_Post_07.JPG
From Chalkbeat Colorado Aurora Public Schools
Student voice, community engagement, and safety among priorities for new Aurora superintendent
Michael Giles started his new role in July and is still getting to know the district.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A man in a business suit speaks at a podium with the U.S. flag in the background.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee School safety
It’s official: Tennessee governor calls lawmakers back to address guns, mental health after Nashville school shooting
Safe firearm storage, school safety policies, and stalking offenses are also on the table
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
Five people stand at a microphone. They hold signs that say “no bans,” “don’t silence us” and “School Board 5.”
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Politics & Policy
MSCS activist bans can continue, federal court judge rules
More facts will be needed to determine whether the orders were constitutional, the ruling said.
By Laura Testino
 
At least three police officers in uniform stand in a parking lot talking to two others. A white car is in the foreground.
From Chalkbeat Colorado School safety
Tickets and arrests didn’t go up when SROs reintroduced to Denver schools, police data shows
But tickets and arrests were lower overall after SROs were removed.
By Melanie Asmar
 
A group of people sit around tables that form a U. A screen at the front of the room shows a person’s face.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Gun Violence and Schools
What did the Denver school board discuss during a closed-door meeting after the East shooting?
For months, Denver fought to keep the meeting private. Here’s what the recording shows.
By Melanie Asmar
 
Denver Superintendent Alex Marrero, left, speaks at a podium. Denver school board members, including Board President Xóchitl “Sochi” Gaytán in a red blazer, are standing to the right. The Denver Public Schools logo is visible behind them.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Gun Violence and Schools
Denver school board votes to release recording of closed-door meeting about police
A coalition of media organizations including Chalkbeat sued Denver Public Schools to release the recording.
By Melanie Asmar
 
Close up on hands of student who is writing in a notebook.
From Chalkbeat Detroit School safety
Detroit district proposes giving schools more flexibility to suspend students
The proposal marks a reversal from policies the district adopted just five years ago to make discipline rules more uniform across the district.
By Ethan Bakuli
 
The Denver school board sits around a table in a room at Denver Public Schools headquarters.
From Chalkbeat Colorado School safety
Denver school board to vote on whether to release recording of closed-door meeting about return of police
The recording is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit filed by a coalition of media organizations, including Chalkbeat.
By Melanie Asmar
 
A photo of two empty seats for Chicago’s school board members on shared dais. In front of the seats is the table part of the dais. Behind the seats is a gray, matte, and square sign. In the middle of the sign is a circle with a hand holding a torch inside. Above the circle is the words “Board of Education,” curved around the circle. Below is the circle is the words “City of Chicago,” also curved. Wrapping around the words in a half circle is a laurel.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Politics & Policy
New appointees to Chicago’s Board of Education take office, marking the city’s last fully appointed board
As board members introduced themselves, some noted how they’ve shifted from being vocal critics of the system to positions of power.
By Reema Amin
 
A group of people stand outside a middle school holding homemade signs.
From Chalkbeat Colorado School safety
Firing of McAuliffe principal is having a chilling effect, Denver educators say
The principals union has filed a grievance, while current and former DPS employees say the firing of McAuliffe principal Kurt Dennis sends a bad message about dissent.
By Melanie Asmar
 
Two police officers stand outside Denver’s East High School as students walk in the background.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Chalkbeat En Español
7 preguntas para el nuevo jefe de seguridad de las Escuelas Públicas de Denver, Greg Cazzell
Lee lo que Greg Cazzell dijo sobre la policía en las escuelas, los perros detectores de drogas y mucho más.
By Melanie Asmar
 
The front columns and tower of the Denver City and County building against a cloudy sky.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Chronic Absenteeism
To address youth violence and mental health, Denver may partner with schools to add staff and resources
A proposed pilot project by the Denver City Council would provide a staffer and mobile resources to 6 high schools and 2 middle schools.
By Sara Martin
 
Seven signs against gun violence are affixed to a white board at Williamsburg Charter High School, including bright letters reading, “Call to Action.”
From Chalkbeat New York Gun Violence and Schools
‘It awakened a part of us’: How NYC students are turning the trauma of gun violence into action
“This is the world that we live in,” one Brooklyn student said. “This is reality. So what can we do now to help?”
By Julian Shen-Berro
 
A group of men in suits and one in police dress uniform speak at a press conference. They are outside with a podium and microphones set up in front of them. East High School is visible behind them.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Gun Violence and Schools
SROs to stay at 13 Denver campuses, armed officers to help with weapons searches under safety plan
In a shift from current practice, armed DPS safety patrol officers will help with weapons searches under Marrero’s plan released Friday.
By Melanie Asmar
 
“I hope legislators can lessen the financial burden on districts that are making every sacrifice possible to defend our students,” writes Kelly Carpenter-VanLaeken.
From Chalkbeat Chicago School safety
Chicago’s school board approves campus police contract — and ponders stepping up an initiative to pull officers
The district has reduced the number of officers on campus by almost half since 2020, but momentum on that effort is slowing.
By Mila Koumpilova
 
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