Video: Safety In The Classroom

MONROE COUNTY, Miss.(WCBI)—For most schools, keeping the students safe while they study is a top priority.

On a national level 12% of all students report sexual harassment by a teacher grades K-12.

Sexual harassment is defined as unwanted sexual attention that targets an individual and for students… that type of attention can create a hostile learning environment.

“In addition to hiring good teachers, everyone wants to hire good teachers, we want to make sure we hire good people. That’s important.”

Smithville principal Chad O’Bryan says maintaining a campus where children feel secure is a top priority for his district.

“Well I think that’s number one even above academics I think having a safe learning environment is… cause if you don’t have that you won’t have the other,” said O’Bryan

O’Bryan goes on to say keeping predators out of the classroom starts with a thorough vetting process for each applicant.

“The process has changed a lot but now a days anyone that’s interested in an education job has to go through extensive background checks finger prints have to be sent off to the criminal back ground checks. It’s about a two week process but nobody has a job, nobody is allowed to get within reach of a kid or start working until all those security checks and measure have been passed,”said O’Bryan.

Heather Usry is the director of Sally Kate Winters home for children. She says your child’s behavior can give you clues that something may be going on at school.

“If there is a change in a child’s behavior. If they are normally typically out going and then all of a sudden they are quiet and withdrawn. If there’s a sharp decline in grades. i could be an indicator that there’s something there to investigate,”said Usry.

Usry says that’s where the services of Sally Kate Winters come in to play.

” Parents can reach out to us to look for resources to kind of get answers for questions that they are having regarding their child. Of course they can reach out to teachers. Parents should always keep an open mind with their educators and also know that in the community if they need additional help, resources or have additional questions want to explore other opportunities Sally Kate Winters is here to provide services for children and families,”said Usury

If you experience any issue with your child your encouraged to contact the schools administration.