Planning Rationale
The Office of School Safety and Security (OSSS) is responsible for developing and implementing programs and strategies to improve the safety and security of CPS students, staff and property. OSSS offers several programs to assist schools in improving safety using a holistic approach. The team uses a framework that considers physical safety, emotional safety and relational safety. OSSS strives to work with schools to maintain a welcoming and supportive environment for students that is safe and secure, while also being conducive to learning. To accomplish this, OSSS deploys professional security personnel who have adopted a culture of being proactive and supportive while also being attentive to situations that arise.
In the context of physical safety, facility design and planning, OSSS seeks to use strategies and technology solutions that promote visibility, manage access, and support the ability to manage and observe key spaces that impact the safety of those in the building. Lighting, setbacks, configuration of entrances, circulation, as well as monitoring equipment all play a role in providing a secure campus and building that is safe and free from criminal activity. Interior and exterior spaces that might serve community or non-school related functions either during school or outside of school hours should be able to be secured from other parts of the school for dedicated or separate use. The design should also incorporate emergency management considerations to prevent or mitigate risks that could turn into a crisis event. Lastly, all design solutions should be evaluated for safety and security along with quality of life/learning benefits and reviewed with the Office of School Safety and Security.