Safety

The leadership team at Excel Academy is aware that the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and community members who enter our building become our responsibility. The safety of everyone in the building or on our grounds must remain at the forefront of our decisions as we use our spaces. The systems and structures we implement are to ensure adequate supervision of students and the vetting of those who enter our spaces.

The Leadership Team participates in all annual training offered by the Jeffco Security Department and attends any subsequent training during the year, and follows all district protocols, procedures, and processes around building-level safety. Excel follows the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), and staff members are trained yearly on appropriate responses for various scenarios. There are two automated external defibrillators (AED) devices available in the building along with two stop-the-bleed kits and our incident command assignments are reviewed multiple times a year as are our Go-Kits, Student Health Plans, Allergy Lists, and Student Epi-Pen Device Plans.

We take the safety and security of our school very seriously. Excel Academy has installed 24/7 cameras in and around the building to further enhance the monitoring and safety of those in outbuildings and on the surrounding property. The main building itself has a single-point of entry and locked internal doors to better secure our students and staff in the classroom, including those that are not otherwise secured between walls. Additionally, Excel Academy has taken the time and initiative to review and update, if necessary, all first responder access points, building maps, and the shelter in place processes. The result is a collaborative effort on behalf of the Arvada Police Department, the school executive director, the facilities supervisor and Jeffco Security that continually ensures the safety and security of our students, staff and visitors to the very best of our ability.

• Standard Response Protocols
• Raptor check-in system for volunteers and visitors
• All visitors will need to bring their driver's license in order to get checked in.

Our school adheres to the Standard Response Protocol developed by the I Love You Guys Foundation which is used throughout all Jeffco Public Schools. All Excel students, from kindergarten to eighth grade, will be learning how to respond during emergency situations like: weather, fire, accidents, or intruders.

There are five specific actions that can be performed during specific incidents:

1. Hold
2. Secure
3. Lockdown
4. Evacuate
5. Shelter

By using the same vocabulary, everyone can understand the response and status of any event. For students, this provides continuity of expectations and actions throughout their educational career. For teachers, this becomes a simplified process to practice and implement. For first responders, the common vocabulary and protocols support their responses.

Within the first weeks of school, and throughout the year, all students of Excel Academy will receive this safety training and practice. The presentations are modified to be age appropriate, highly visual and allow for discussion. Still, emergency preparedness can be triggering for some and elevate stress. We will always provide debrief discussions and support from students to ease the anxiety of these times. Please take time to review the Standard Response Protocol and discuss this safety plan and the questions it raises with your children. Thank you for your support to ensure the safety of all students and staff at all times.

Safe2Tell provides students/families a way to report any concerning or threatening behaviors or activities that might endanger themselves or someone they know. Students are always encouraged to speak to a staff member or an administrator immediately to help keep everyone safe, but should a student feel more comfortable reporting and remaining anonymous, Safe2Tell is an excellent resource. Please note, filing false reports on Safe2Tell is an abuse of that system and false reporting is a crime.

• 1-877-542-7233

Jeffco Public Schools is committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our students and staff. The Department of School Safety & Security takes pride in providing the safest environment for all students. All staff, students and school communities deserve an environment that is welcoming and without threats, bullying, intimidation and harassment.

To receive important emails, texts and phone calls, families must keep their phone number and email updated in Infinite Campus.

The district has over 150 safety and security staff in Campus Security, Dispatch, Emergency Management, Armed Patrol and Judicial Services/Behavioral Threat Management working 24 hours a day to protect schools.

All Jeffco high schools and many middle schools have a successful School Resource Officer (SRO) program thanks to strong partnerships with every first responder and Law Enforcement agency in Jefferson County.

Watch the "Jeffco School Safety: Five Departments Devoted to a Duty to Protect” video to learn more about Jeffco’s nationally recognized School Safety program.

Emergency Communication

The fastest way to get information in an emergency situation is to follow Jeffco on X and Facebook (@JeffcoSchoolsCO) and check Jeffco’s homepage on the website for alerts. 

The SchoolMessenger system uses what families enter into the Infinite Campus Online Registration system for contact information. Families must ensure this information is always updated.

Your Role: What Families Should Do in an Emergency 

• Stay away. Do not go to the school. This may interfere with procedures. Only public safety personnel will be allowed in or near a school during an emergency situation. 
• Do not call. Do not call the school or security staff. We understand you may want to communicate with your student during an emergency, but calling may prevent them from hearing important instructions.
• Be informed. Monitor your phone, email, district social media channels, local law enforcement or fire social media channels and local news. Jeffco provides fast and accurate information to its community. In some situations, accurate information can take a long time to verify and share. Please be patient.
• Be ready. When you are asked to pick up your student, come quickly and bring your identification to the reunification location communicated to you. Jeffco will only release students to adults listed on that student’s Infinite Campus page. Make sure anyone who could pick up your student in an emergency is listed. This can include neighbors, friends or other family members.