Threats & Threat Assessment (MASD Policy 236.1)

MASD is committed to assertively handling threats to our schools.  The District prohibits any district student from communicating threats directed at students, employees, Board members, community members or property owned, leased or being used by the district.   As such we have developed a threat assessment process for assessing and intervening with students whose behavior may indicate a threat to the safety of the student, other students, school employees, school facilities, the community and others.

Threats are concerning communications or behaviors that suggest a person may intend to harm themselves or someone else. These may be expressed or communicated behaviorally, orally, visually, in writing, electronically or through any other means. Threats can be either direct (directed toward the target) or indirect (communicated through a third party). Threats can be also be deduced through an individual's behavior.

Threat assessments will be conducted by members of the District’s Threat Assessment Team.  All MASD counselors, certified school nurses, social workers, school psychologists, principals (and assistant principals) and the MASD Safety & Security Coordinator are trained in the threat assessment process and serve as members of the District’s Threat Assessment Team.

Threats should be reported immediately to the building administrator when school is in session.  When school is not in session, we encourage the use of the Safe2Say platform (accessed through the downloadable application, online at www.safe2saypa.org or at 1-844-SAF2SAY).