Student Safety, Wellbeing, and the Learning Erosion Crisis
Welcome to the latest edition of Raptor’s School Safety Today newsletter!?
Recent updates from states like Michigan, Oklahoma, and Texas highlight significant progress in legislation and funding designed to support school safety initiatives. Key updates we’ll discuss in today’s newsletter include:?
These advancements align with a growing movement among district leaders to address what some call a “Learning Erosion Crisis.” This crisis stems from the increasing challenges of managing student safety and wellbeing while ensuring academic progress.??
Chronic absenteeism, declining test scores, and educator burnout are just some of the consequences linked to insufficient safety measures and unaddressed student needs. But this is not an insurmountable issue.??
Across the country, districts are stepping up by amplifying their people, processes, and technology to create protective environments that nurture learning and growth.??
In this month’s newsletter, we’ll take a look at these latest developments and explore the discussions among student safety and wellbeing leaders. First up, Dr. Amy on student wellbeing and safety. ?
School safety is so much more than just having protocols for emergencies—it’s an ongoing commitment to the wellbeing of our students and staff. When I first stepped into the student safety space, I noticed that the focus on hardening schools against active threats sometimes meant we overlooked the quieter struggles our students face every day. I became deeply committed to suicide prevention because I saw every behavior—even a brief moment of tearfulness, a lack of eye contact, or subtle changes in engagement—is a call for help that deserves our attention.?
I often compare student behavior to an iceberg: what we see on the surface is only a small part of what they might be experiencing internally. That’s why I believe every member of our school community—from bus drivers and cafeteria workers to teachers and administrators—plays a vital role in noticing these early warning signs. By providing a simple, non-judgmental way to share these observations, we create a proactive safety net that supports students before they reach a crisis.?
Integrating mental health with physical safety isn’t about adding more to educators’ plates; it’s about embedding support into the everyday fabric of our schools. When we work together using this holistic approach, safety becomes a shared responsibility, ensuring every student feels secure, understood, and valued. Ultimately, our mission is to protect every child, every school, every day.
Michigan Updates?
?? New Resources for Michigan Schools?
Michigan schools now have access to key safety resources through our updated Michigan funding page. This includes details on Section 97j funding, House Bill 5549, and free StudentSafe training and implementation for eligible schools. Additionally, Mi-BTAM training is available through SIGMA in partnership with the Michigan State Police to help schools enhance their behavioral threat assessment capabilities.?
?? Related Resource: Raptor’s recent webinar, “Supporting Student Wellbeing: Early Intervention Tools for Michigan Schools,” is available on-demand. Watch it here.??
?? New Legislation: Alyssa’s Law in Michigan?
Senate Bill 76 has been introduced, requiring public and nonpublic schools to implement a mobile panic alert system by the 2025-26 school year. The system must:?
??? Connect directly with 9-1-1 and first responders for real-time coordination.?
??? Ensure seamless communication between school staff, law enforcement, and emergency personnel.?
??? Be procured through a state-managed competitive process to ensure statewide accessibility.?
Read more about the bill here.??
Oklahoma Updates?
?? Oklahoma Approves Raptor for Alyssa’s Law Compliance?
The Oklahoma State Department of Education has named Raptor Technologies as an approved provider for mobile panic button systems under Alyssa’s Law. This means Oklahoma school districts can now partner with Raptor to enhance emergency response capabilities and ensure compliance with state safety requirements.?
We actively support districts through funding guidance and implementation support. Visit our funding page to learn more.?
Texas Updates?
?? Texas Extends School Safety Grant Deadline?
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has extended the School Safety Standards Formula Grant deadline from April 30, 2025, to April 30, 2026. This extension gives districts more time to secure funding for critical safety upgrades, including:?
?? Panic alert systems?
?? Emergency communications technology?
?? Physical security enhancements?
For districts still considering grant-funded projects, this extension provides additional flexibility to implement safety solutions that align with TEA safety standards.?
Upcoming Webinar! March 11 at 12 PM CT.?
Join us for a dynamic webinar exploring the pivotal role of multi-layered emergency alert systems in enhancing school safety. Learn from two leading experts—Craig Straw, Director of Safety and Emergency Management at Houston ISD Police Department, and Nick Caputo, Division Coordinator for School Safety & Security for Lynchburg City Schools.?
This session will cover strategies to strengthen crisis communication, streamline real-time coordination, and adopt cutting-edge technologies like wearable alerts and 911-integrated platforms to improve emergency response.?
Key Takeaways?
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical insights from leaders in the field! Register here.??
Thoughts on Student Wellbeing?
On the Role of Early Intervention in Preventing Crises?
“Early intervention is the key, right? Early intervention isn’t always a behavioral threat assessment. Sometimes it’s just a conversation—getting them connected with a trusted individual on campus, helping them with some peer or social issues. But again, it’s about asking: do I need to look any further? Let’s have a conversation.”? — Will Durgan, Senior Product Manager, Raptor Technologies?
?
On Early Intervention & Student Support?
“We would much rather have someone report something that just seems a little different because at the core of any sort of threat assessment, suicide risk assessment, you have a child who's in crisis. They are looking at outward or inward behaviors to respond to something, and that's that hopelessness, desperation, and despair that they may be feeling. So we encourage anyone—staff, students, parents—to report anything that just makes them pause and think that child may need some more help.”? — Dr. Alison Willman, Executive Director of School Safety, Operational Technology, and Student Services at Oxford, Community School District, MI?
Mar 6-8?
AASA School Safety & Security Learning Lab?
New Orleans, LA? Ernest N. Morial Convention Center?
Apr 2?
Region 10 ESC Safety First Conference?
Richardson, TX?
Apr 8-11
CGCS Spring Conference
Charlotte, NC
Apr 27-30?
ATLIS Annual Conference?
Atlanta, GA? Hilton Atlanta?
?