Keeping all students safe starts long before a crisis happens.

• It starts with providing educators with training, resources, practice, and options. 

• It requires a focus not on behaviors, but on the underlying issues causing behaviors. 

• It involves a mindset shift about students who are behaving in undesired ways.  They are interacting with their environment; it's not one-sided.  They need to feel physically, socially, emotionally, psychologically safe.  They need help, co-regulation, supportive adults, environments that don't overwhelm their senses, friends, accommodation, trauma healing, skill development, practice, to feel wanted, seen, understood, and believed.

• It requires that every student have a secure relationship with multiple adults in the building who see them for the great kid that they are even when they're having a hard time.

• Students whose needs are being met, who feel safe and comfortable in their environment, and who have the skills to handle the demands of school rarely act aggressively or hurt others.