Social-Emotional Contracts and Safety Plans
If a student expresses or shows signs of anxiety or depression with suicidal ideation, or if they are considered a threat to themselves or others, he/she must be immediately evaluated by a professional psychologist outside of school. The Homeroom teacher will meet with the parents to discuss the requirement of a social-emotional contract and a safety plan in order to return to campus, with a letter from the psychologist documenting that the student does NOT pose a threat to self or others. The student’s parents/guardians must also submit a letter of authorization to permit communication between the therapist and the school.
When students are on campus, the faculty and staff act “in the place of the parents,” or “in loco parentis” so safety plans must be put in place in cooperation with the parents, to enable the staff to act quickly, in an emergency situation. If a parent is requested to get professional help or counseling for their child and they refuse, as mandated reporters, faculty and staff may contact the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
The safety plan should include triggers, warning signs, coping strategies, on-campus and off-campus contact lists - including:
If a student has active suicidal ideation/trying to harm themselves at school:
Law Enforcement will dispatch Psychiatric Response Team if an incident occurs on campus for an EMERGENCY or if parent cannot transport the student to hospital/ER. A faculty or staff member may also take the student to the ER if absolutely necessary.
School personnel directly involved with the student may consult with the following services:
We want all our students to be healthy and get the help they need. We ask all parents to help us watch for warning signs if children are in need of social emotional counseling or need mental health services.
