School Safety

In partnership with the City of Carmel, Carmel Clay Schools has seven full-time school resource officers (SROs).
 
All of our school resource officers are full-time law enforcement officers with sworn law enforcement authority who are trained in school-based policing and crisis response. All of our officers are certified by the National Association of School Resource Officers and utilize the triad concept school-based policing of law enforcement officer, counselor and educator. 

Meet our SROs

Carmel Clay Schools officials and School Resource conduct crisis response training for their staff and students based upon the concepts of ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate).  This training focuses on various courses of action that would help participants most effectively respond to a crisis situation.  This is an options based training, highlighting situational awareness and decision making.  No single response fits all crisis scenarios, however making sure each individual knows his or her options for response will help staff and students react effectively. 

 

The Parent School Safety Academy is a unique program to Carmel Clay Schools that educates parents on the school safety principles and fundamentals that guide response protocols in our schools. This program does not reveal details that would compromise safety at Carmel Clay Schools, but provides parents with a basic understanding of school safety practices that will facilitate parental response in case of a crisis and allow for constructive feedback.

During this interactive program, parent participants learn about national and state safety practices, current trends in school safety and how these practices and trends impact safety planning at Carmel Clay Schools. Parent input is integral during the program.   

Learn More

 

STOPit is a mobile app that empowers any student to anonymously report school safety issues and reach out for help if they or a peer are facing a personal crisis or experiencing situations such as bullying, theft, mental health concerns, violence, sexual harassment, substance abuse or any other student safety concern. This app is available to students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Drills are an important aspect of school safety, and will be used as teachable moments for our staff and students.  Indiana Code requires each school to conduct monthly fire drills, one severe weather drill per semester, and one man-made occurrence drill per semester. Carmel Clay Schools goes beyond these minimum guidelines to conduct a minimum of two man-made occurrence drills per semester, and participate in the Great Central U.S. Earthquake Drill each year (more information on the Great Central U.S. Earthquake Drill is available online at https://www.shakeout.org/centralus/). In addition, our schools have established strong partnership with local first responders and often have a law enforcement presence at the school during our drills.

Carmel Clay Schools requires all visitors to check in using our system, School Gate Guardian. When visitors enter a school building, they are required to scan their driver’s license or state identification card for a check of their record and then wear a badge issued by the system while in the school. As our visitors leave the school, they scan and return that badge to front office staff. 

Interested in volunteering at school or attending a field trip?

A person who seeks to volunteer in any capacity within Carmel Clay Schools, or visit a classroom or lunchroom during school hours, will be subject to a National Volunteer Background Check prior to being allowed to volunteer or visit a school without direct supervision during the school day.  A National Volunteer Background Check must be completed every three years. The fee for the background check will be paid by the volunteer/visitor. If you have multiple students who attend multiple schools in Carmel, you only need one criminal background check. Your student's school administration will be contacted when the criminal background report is complete.

********$12.95 Fee Applies. However, please understand that if you have lived outside of Hamilton County or the state of Indiana, there may be additional costs associated with the background request.  Additional fees may apply dependent upon applicant address history, and verification of potential criminal history information for the volunteer and/or court access fees.  SafeVisitor Solutions/SafeHiring Solutions will reach out to you via email with request for additional funds if applicable.

Please note:  If an individual is arrested during the time frame of their approved status, the charges will be evaluated and cross-referenced with our background check approval list to determine if they are still eligible to volunteer within Carmel Clay Schools.

Criminal History Background Check

As part of the background check process, you will be required to view a short anti-bullying video. After viewing the video, please check the box to indicate that you have completed this step.

If you have questions about this process, please contact David Woodward

Thank you in advance for helping keep our schools safe!

CCS Board Volunteer Policy

When volunteering, please find alternative care for younger children. 

Indiana Code requires each school corporation to have a certified school safety specialist, however, Carmel Clay Schools goes beyond this minimum requirement and has over twenty certified school safety specialists.  Each safety specialist has completed a five day basic training sponsored by the Indiana Department of Education in conjunction with the Indiana Criminal Institute focusing on the fundamentals of school safety.  Each safety specialist also completes two additional days of training each year to keep up to date with state and national best practices.  More information on School Safety Specialists can be found on the DOE website.

Crisis Resources

For immediate assistance, call 911 if the person has access to lethal means and/or is in immediate danger.

WHO TO CALL

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Community Health Network Text Line: Text IN to 741741
Community Health Network Crisis Line: 1-800-662-3445 or 1-317-621-5700
St. Vincent Youth Services Stress Center: 1-317-388-4800 or 1-800-872-2210
National Crisis Text Line: Text CONNECT to 741741

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Carmel Police Department: 317-571-2580
Cicero Police Department 317-984-3648
Fishers Police Department: 317-595-3300
Hamilton Co. Sheriff: 317-773-1872
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD): 317-327-3282
Noblesville Police Department: 317-773-1300
Sheridan Police Department: 317-758-2500
Westfield Police Department: 317-804-3200
Arcadia Police Department: 317-984-3456

ONLINE RESOURCES

Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide: www.indianaprevention.orgOpens in New Window
Have Hope: www.havehope.comOpens in New Window
Suicide Prevention Resource Center: www.sprc.orgOpens in New Window
Indiana State Suicide Prevention: in.gov/isspOpens in New Window
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: www.afsp.orgOpens in New Window
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.orgOpens in New Window
Jason Foundation: www.jasonfoundation.comOpens in New Window
The Trevor Project: www.thetrevorproject.orgOpens in New Window
National Alliance on Mental Health: https://www.namiindiana.org/
Resources for Mental Health Issues, Signs and Where to Seek Help: https://addiction-counselor.org/resources/mental-health/

MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS

Aspire Indiana
697 Pro Med Lane, Carmel, IN 46032
317-574-0055
Crisis 24/7: 1-800-560-4038
http://www.aspireindiana.org

Community Hospitals of Indiana, Inc.
DBA: Gallahue Mental Health Center
6950 Hillsdale Court
Indianapolis, IN 46250
Phone: 317-621-7600
Crisis: 800-621-7600
http://www.ecommunity.com/

Adult and Child Mental Health Center, Inc.
8320 Madison Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46227
Phone: 317-882-5122
Crisis: 877-882-5122
http://www.adultandchild.org/

SUPPORT GROUPS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE TO SUICIDE

Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group
2nd Tuesday of each month
Main Hospital (Classroom A&B in the Professional Building)
395 Westfield Road, Noblesville, IN 46060
Sue Pruce (Facilitator): 317-442-7827

Fishers Suicide Loss Support Group
4th Thursday of the Month
Geist Christian Church
12756 Promise Road, Fishers, IN 46038
Laura Tanglertpaibul (Contact): lauratangler@yahoo.comOpens in New Window

GRIEF RESOURCES 

https://grievingstudents.org/
https://www.schoolcrisiscenter.org/
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/death.html
https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/how-to-be-a-parent/communication/talk-to-kids-death/#gs.d99d6e
https://www.nctsn.org/
https://www.brookesplace.org/
https://www.newyorklife.com/assets/docs/pdfs/claims/Bereavement-bklet-English.pdfPDF Download
https://elunanetwork.org/assets/guides/BereavementResourceGuide_Websites.pdfPDF Download

Centers that support grieving youth:
Hope in Healing Bereavement Program - Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health
(317) 963-0829
6640 Intech Boulevard, Suite 320
Indianapolis, IN 46278
https://www.rileychildrens.org/support-services/grief-bereavement-services/

Brooke’s Place for Grieving Young People, Inc.
(317) 705-9650
8935 North Meridian Street, Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46240
www.brookesplace.org

Books for Children:
https://elunanetwork.org/assets/guides/BereavementResourceGuide_ChildrensBooks.pdfPDF Download

Books for Teenagers:
https://elunanetwork.org/assets/guides/BereavementResourceGuide_TeenBooks.pdfPDF Download

Films that Address Grief:
https://elunanetwork.org/assets/guides/BereavementResourceGuide_Films.pdf