Safety Homepage
Our Community-Oriented Approach to School Safety
At Charlottesville City Schools, our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff. Experts from the fields of school security, mental health, and public safety agree that the foundation of school safety is a commitment to wellness and a positive school culture.
Our safety model focuses on:
- Community-building and relationship-building
- Mental health supports
- Care and Safety Assistants
- Community partnerships, including with the police
- Continual investment in building security upgrades
Overview video:
Elements of Our Safety Model
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Police and the Schools
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Building Security Upgrades
- Report a Tip
More info coming soon
How Families Can Promote School Safety
- Support Mental Health: If anyone in your family needs extra support, call your school or email your school counselor. We partner with Care Solace, a free service that sets up mental health appointments for students, staff, and families. Call 888-515-0595 for assistance 24/7 in any language. For immediate help, call 911 or go to the hospital. Find more options on our Counseling Page.
- Stay Connected with ParentSquare: Make sure school staff can reach you for everyday updates and during emergencies. We use ParentSquare for all our school-related communications, including any safety alerts. Download the ParentSquare app or log in on ParentSquare. ParentSquare works without the app, but the app (or web login) provides the best experience. Find more at our ParentSquare page.
- Store Medicines and Guns Safely: Region 10 offers information and free storage equipment. And “talk safety” with family and friends about mental health, medicine and gun storage, and substance abuse.
- Be Our Partner in School Security: Remind your student, “If you see something, say something.” Our approach to school safety is community-oriented: Informed by experts in school safety, our model prioritizes relationships, mental health supports, upgrades to building security, our care & safety assistants, and our community partners, including the police. Find more on this page.
- Exercise Student Rights and Responsibilities: Please review behavior expectations (the schools’ and your own) with your student. Our revised Student Rights and Responsibilities (formerly the Code of Student Conduct) describes the schools’ expectations for behavior and outlines possible consequences for when they are not met. It also provides guidance for bus-riders. To receive a copy, visit or call your school or find it on our Student Conduct page.
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Free Locks to Safely Store Medicines or Guns
Via our local Region 10
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Care Solace
Free, confidential service to make appointments with mental health and substance use providers.
For More Information
Todd Koogler
Coordinator of Safety and Security
kooglew1@charlottesvilleschools.org
(434) 245-2421