What assessment tools are used for early intervention in student wellbeing?

Schools can use comprehensive tools like the CSTAG (Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines) and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale to identify students at risk. These instruments help staff systematically evaluate warning signs and connect students with appropriate support services early, before a crisis escalates.

How can schools balance security measures with maintaining a welcoming environment?

Schools must be intentional about implementing safety infrastructure in ways that do not make students or visitors feel unwelcome or surveilled. A proactive, relationship-based approach to safety — emphasizing early intervention and community trust — can complement physical security measures and help sustain a positive school climate.

Why is community collaboration important for school safety?

Effective school safety requires coordinated efforts among educators, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and parents. Engaging the broader community ensures that warning signs are recognized and reported from multiple angles, and that students receive timely, comprehensive support. Parent and community education is a key component of a holistic safety strategy.

Pt. 2: Proactive Student Wellbeing Through...

Pt. 2: Proactive Student Wellbeing Through Early Intervention

In part two of a two-part series on proactive student wellbeing, Dr. Amy Grosso and Liz Nowland-Margolis discuss early intervention strategies for K-12 school safety, including the use of comprehensive assessment tools like CSTAG and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. The conversation covers how schools can balance infrastructure hardening with maintaining a welcoming environment, and the critical role of collaboration among staff, law enforcement, mental health services, and parents. Schools that identify struggling students early are shown to create safer and more supportive learning environments for all.

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Education Technology teams put it to work with Executive Thought Leadership.

Promoted content from Raptor Technologies on MarketScale.

By Education Technology · December 12, 2023, 11:10 AM UTCCommunity CollaborationCrisis ManagementDr. Amy GrossoLiz-nowland-margolis

Key takeaways

Early identification of at-risk students using tools like CSTAG and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale is essential for proactive student wellbeing.

Balancing physical school security measures with a welcoming educational environment requires intentional planning and community collaboration.

Effective school safety depends on coordinated partnerships among school staff, law enforcement, mental health professionals, parents, and the broader community.

In today's episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso sat down with Liz Nowland-Margolis, Executive Director of School Safety and District Operations for Ann Arbor Public Schools for part two of a two-part series on proactive student wellbeing through early intervention to discuss the importance of:

Proactive approaches to school safety, including early interventions for student wellbeing and the balance between hardening school infrastructure and maintaining a welcoming environment.
Implementation and significance of comprehensive assessment tools like the CSTAG and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, underscoring their role in early identification and support for students at risk.
Collaboration among school staff, law enforcement, and mental health services, as well as engaging and educating parents and the community about school safety

About the Guest

Liz Nowland-Margolis is an experienced professional with a background in marketing, communications, public relations, crisis planning, management, and response, as well as strategic planning. She has worked in both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director of School Safety and District Operations for Ann Arbor Public Schools. Liz has extensive experience in crisis management, including response training, communication response, crisis response team development, and on-site crisis response leadership. Her role involves a strong focus on school safety, implementing programs, and balancing safety initiatives with the educational environment.