Health and Wellness

School Safety and Wellbeing: Overview

At RSU 22, the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff, and families is our highest priority. Our district uses a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to school safety that includes prevention, communication, emergency response, staff training, and strong partnerships with community agencies. We are committed to creating schools where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

RSU 22 School Safety & Preparedness

Standard Response Protocol (SRP)

RSU 22 uses the I Love U Guys Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol to ensure consistent language during emergencies.

SRP Actions:

Hold – Stay in room, hallways clear
Secure – Threat outside; bring students in, lock doors
Lockdown – Threat inside; locks, lights, out of sight
Evacuate – Move to a safe location
Shelter – Hazard-specific safety actions

Centegix Crisis Alert System

RSU 22 has implemented the Centegix Crisis Alert System across all schools. This wearable badge system allows any staff member to quickly call for help or initiate emergency actions using standardized procedures.

Key Features:

3 Presses: Immediate support for medical, behavioral, or safety concerns
8 Presses: Initiates a lockdown and contacts 911
Flashing Strobes: Visual alerts throughout buildings
Automated Announcements: Clear SRP instructions in real time
Centegix App: Used to initiate actions and coordinate responses

Emergency Operations Planning (EOP)

Our Emergency Operations Plan outlines districtwide safety protocols, communication steps, reunification procedures, and coordination with first responders.

Key components include annual EOP updates, building responder teams, reunification planning using the I Love U Guys Reunification Method, and collaboration with police, fire, EMS, and emergency management.

Safety Drills & Training

RSU 22 conducts regular safety drills and staff training, including SRP drills, Centegix badge training, tabletop exercises, evacuation practice, reunification practice, and coordination with local police and fire.

School Resource Officers (SROs)

RSU 22 partners with local law enforcement to provide:

A full-time Hampden SRO (HA, McGraw, RBMS, and Weatherbee)
A full-time Winterport SRO (Smith & Wagner)

SROs support student engagement, safety education, threat assessment, relationship-building, and emergency response.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Supports

Safety includes emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing.

RSU 22 provides:

Daily access to a school nurse in every building
School counseling and social work services
Student assistance and intervention teams
Family support and referrals
Partnerships with mental health providers
Staff wellness and resilience programming

Communication With Families

We communicate through email, text, SchoolMessenger alerts, social media, phone calls, and website updates.

Families please keep emergency contacts updated in PowerSchool. Reach out to the main office of your child’s school to make these important updates.

During safety events, we share accurate information as soon as we are able, balancing transparency with safety.

Post-Crisis Response & Recovery

When a crisis occurs, RSU 22 follows a structured, compassionate, and evidence-based post-crisis intervention process to support students, staff, and families. Our approach is grounded in best practices from state and national school safety organizations.

Gathering Accurate Information

We work closely with families, school leaders, and first responders to confirm facts and determine what information should be shared with staff and students. Clear communication helps reduce rumors and supports a calm, coordinated response.

District Safety & Crisis Team Activation

Depending on the situation, members of our District or Building Crisis Intervention Team are activated to help assess needs, guide decision-making, and coordinate additional support. This team may collaborate with local, state, or national partners when appropriate.

Supporting Students and Staff

We provide a range of supports based on individual and schoolwide needs, which may include:

One-on-one support for students or staff most directly impacted
Small-group or classroom-based discussions
Psychological First Aid delivered by trained staff
Parent communication or meetings
Staff support and debriefing opportunities
Referrals to outside mental health providers when needed

Managing Communication with Care

We share factual, age-appropriate information with students and staff in a way that minimizes trauma and prevents misinformation. Communication with families is delivered through consistent district channels.

Monitoring, Follow-Up, and Recovery

Crisis responders track which students and staff receive support and identify individuals who may need ongoing care. Our teams remain attentive to:

Follow-up needs
Anniversary or trigger dates
Classroom climate
Family communication
Staff wellbeing

We also adjust our procedures as needed and take time to reflect on what worked well and what should be strengthened. Our goal is always to support healing, maintain stability, and help students and staff feel safe, connected, and cared for.

District Safety Leadership

RSU 22 employs a dedicated Director of Health, Wellness & Safety to coordinate and strengthen safety systems.

Our Director, Brittany Russell, RN, BSN, NCSN, oversees:

Emergency operations planning
Centegix implementation and refinement
Staff safety training and preparedness
Coordination with first responders
School health services and nursing supervision
Threat assessment coordination
Mental health and wellbeing initiatives
Reunification planning
Staff and student wellness programs

District Safety Committee

The District Safety Committee meets regularly to review safety procedures, troubleshoot concerns, advise on decisions, support emergency planning, review drill outcomes, and ensure alignment with state and national best practices. This committee is chaired by the Superintendent and Director of Health, Wellness and Safety and members include representatives from each school and a variety of community partners.