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In light of recent events and prior to the new school year, Hitchcock ISD is sharing some of the safety measures currently in place to ensure the safety of its students and staff.
“We know the weight we hold when it comes to ensuring the safety of our entire school community,” said Travis Edwards, Superintendent of Hitchcock ISD. “We want to provide everyone with a better understanding of some of the measures we take on a daily basis to provide a safe learning environment for all students or staff members within our district.
Visitor Protocol
At each of Hitchcock ISD’s five campuses, visitors must be processed through Raptor upon arrival to campuses. Raptor runs ID/DL's against an international offender database. Once cleared through Raptor, a visitor badge is provided and must be worn at all times while on campus.
Security
Hitchcock ISD has its own dedicated Police Department. HISD Police currently has a Police Chief and 2 officers to provide continuous monitoring/support at the campus level. The district is in the process of adding 2 additional officers to increase safety, security, and visibility going forward.
District Safety Committee
Board members, the Superintendent, HISD Police, community members, emergency responders, and staff make up the District Safety Committee. Members review and evaluate District Safety on a regular basis to ensure proper protocols are being followed.
Surveillance
Campus parking lots, playgrounds, building exteriors, hallways, cafeterias, and all other common areas are under 24/7 surveillance.
Reporting Hotline
Hitchcock ISD utilizes P3 Campus, a school safety technology initiative for our students, parents, teachers and other members of our community to anonymously report any safety or mental health concerns.
Access to Campuses
All campuses and the Admin building utilize double doors at front entrances with the second being locked. All other doors accessible to the outside are locked as well.
Safety Drills
Staff are trained/updated prior to each school year and participate in ongoing trainings throughout the year. Students and staff complete safety drills in compliance to the Texas School Safety Center.
Emergency Communication
During an emergency, HISD Police and district administrators communicate the situation to each other first. Parents/students are notified through the district's mass notification system, the district website, and social media. Make sure updated contact information is always on file.
“The district is constantly planning and brainstorming ways to improve our safety measures,” said Edwards. “The measures currently in place are tangible, modifiable, adjustable, and can always become better than before."
Hitchcock ISD Police Chief Christopher Filidei recently graduated from the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas’ (LEMIT) Leadership Command College (LCC).
The program, taught by a consortium of universities throughout Texas, provides law enforcement administrators and executives with the skills necessary to effectively manage police agencies and deliver a high level of service to their communities.
“The number one benefit that the LCC has taught me was the importance of making connections and that all agencies no matter the size are all dealing with the exact same problems,” said Filidei. “I’ve learned a lot more about planning and preparing for big problems that are inevitably going to come, but with preparation and training we will be able to mitigate and overcome them.”
As part of the program, participants were required to complete an academic written work that is put together and known as the “Leadership White Paper. After submission of this paper, and a successful defense of it in front of a panel of judges, each graduate becomes a published author and subject matter expert on their chosen topic. Filidei’s subject matter was “How to prevent school shootings.”
The LCC is one of the most comprehensive leadership training programs across the country and is often compared to the FBI National Academy. Participants in the program are taught by top national and international law enforcement experts with constant updates being made to its curriculum to meet the demands and ever-changing issues facing law enforcement.
Just 2.5 percent of all Texas Law Enforcement receive the Leadership Command College graduate designation.
Filidei has been a police officer for 16 years and will enter his fifth year with Hitchcock ISD for the 2022-23 school year.
Congrats Chief Filidei and thank you for making us Bulldog Proud!
Two of Hitchcock ISD’s own will shift into new roles within the district for the upcoming 2022-23 school year.
Kevin Lankford, Principal at Hitchcock Primary School, has been named the new Coordinator of Instruction and Evaluation of the Greater Gulf Coast Cooperative (GGCC).
Lankford, who has 22 years of experience in education, will be entering his fifth year with Hitchcock ISD. He earned both his Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University and his Master of Science from the University of Houston at Clear Lake.
“I’m so very excited to be stepping into my new position with Hitchcock ISD and the other districts in the GGCC,” said Lankford. “ I’m excited to be able to help our students and community in a new way.”
Elena Trevino, Assistant Principal at Hitchcock Primary School, has been promoted to Principal.
Trevino, who has 15 years of experience in education, will be entering her second year with Hitchcock ISD. She earned her Bachelor of Literature from the University of Houston at Clear Lake and her Master of Education in Educational Administration from National Louis University in Chicago,Ill.
“I am excited to start this new journey as principal at Hitchcock Primary for the 2022-23 school year,” said Trevino. “A new school year, new beginnings and endless opportunities.”
Congratulations to Mr. Lankford and Ms. Trevino!
Hitchcock ISD will begin its search for Hitchcock Primary’s new Assistant Principal immediately. A job posting can be found on the district website at hitchcockisd.tedk12.com/hire/Index.aspx in the coming days.