September 20, 2018

We take seriously the privilege of preparing your student to achieve his or her highest potential. We’re continually making strides in our commitment to provide a safe learning environment that supports academic achievement and social development for all students.

GUHSD provides full-time School Resource Officers/Deputies on our campuses. This includes deputies from the Lakeside, Rancho San Diego and Santee Sheriff’s Stations, as well as police officers from the El Cajon and La Mesa Police Departments.

Our SROs provide much more than just campus security. They develop valuable relationships with students that advance a positive school climate and serve as role models for our students. These supportive relationships are built upon trust, and continue into our communities.

GUHSD continually revisits our safety plans and holds regular emergency drills in the presence of law enforcement in order to equip our students and staff with an understanding of what to do in an emergency. This guide explains our emergency procedures.

Most importantly, please ensure that your phone number and email address is accurate in the Campus Portal (Infinite Campus) and opt-in to receive notifications via text, email and voice so that we can reach you should an emergency arise. Your commitment to maintaining current contact information is key to timely communication during emergency situations. The Campus Portal also allows you to monitor your student’s progress, grades, absences, and more online.

Knowing that students play a key role in safety, the P3Tips App is now available on student Chromebooks for use when your student is uncomfortable or learns of suspicious activity on campus and wishes to report it anonymously. It can be found on the extensions bar. This new option is in addition to the Students Speaking Out anonymous 24-hour tip line on the back of student ID badges.

We ask that you talk with your student about the potential perils of social media and how even a seemingly harmless joke can result in arrest. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our schools as safe environments where the focus is on learning and school activities.

Every day, we work to address the growing concern of mental health wellness and are committed to increasing awareness and understanding of the steps our youth and adults can take to protect their mental health.

This school year, GUHSD will enhance trainings and assemblies on topics including how to better recognize the warning signs of suicide and incorporate assemblies that work to create connectedness and community by minimizing social isolation, marginalization and rejection.

New this school year, we have added access to mental health providers on every campus, to support youth in need. With a focus on prevention and early intervention, it is our hope that these actions will greatly reduce the number of children experiencing depression and anxiety.

If you believe your student would benefit from these services, please contact your student's school counselor.