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Safety and Security

Our Vision:

Create life-long learners prepared for an ever-changing global society.

Our Mission:

Volusia County Schools will ignite a passion for learning in all students to be productive citizens.

The School Guardian program was created in 2018 after the tragic and deadly event at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to enhance the safety and security of all Volusia County students, faculty, staff, and visitors. All School Guardians are former law enforcement officers or have honorably served in the United States military. Our goal is to increase safety and security by developing positive relationships, based on mutual respect, with all students and staff while also emphasizing intelligence sharing between our staff and local law enforcement partners. School Guardians are highly encouraged to be a mentor to all students and to continually strive to break down barriers through open communication and positive interactions. School Guardians strive to provide a safe educational environment where students can focus on learning and attaining their highest potential.
 

For security issues during and after business hours, please call the Security Operations Center at (855) 4VC-KIDS or (855) 482-5437.

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Safety and Security
200 N Clara Ave.
DeLand, FL 32720

Phone: (386) 734-7190 ext. 20638

Photo of Captain Todd Smith
Captain Todd Smith
Director
386-734-7190 extension 20629
 

Chastity Burke
Coordinator                                          
CMBurke1@volusia.k12.fl.us


Sharon Hovis
Administrative Secretary
SMHovis@volusia.k12.fl.us

For students, the campaign emphasizes key internet safety measures: 

Encouraging thoughtful online connections, we advise students to set privacy settings on social media platforms and connect only with individuals they know in real life. A crucial aspect involves teaching them to exercise caution online, guiding them to refrain from clicking on unfamiliar links or opening emails from unknown sources to mitigate potential cyber threats. The campaign also addresses the critical issue of cyberbullying, stressing the significance of reporting any mean or hurtful messages to a trusted adult promptly. Furthermore, we advocate for our students’ overall well-being beyond the digital world. We encourage healthy habits that include taking breaks, engaging in physical exercise, dedicating time offline, and limiting daily online activity to less than two hours.

For parents and adults, the campaign underscores the following safety tips:

Foster an open dialogue with children about their online activities to gain a deeper understanding and provide guidance when necessary. Encourage the use of parental control settings on devices to monitor and restrict content, thereby ensuring a secure and age-appropriate online environment. Stress the importance of staying informed about the latest apps, games, and online trends that their children may encounter, positioning knowledge as a powerful tool in navigating the digital landscape. Urging vigilance, parents and adults are asked to promptly report any suspicious online behavior to the school or law enforcement, recognizing that their active involvement significantly contributes to the overall safety of our school community.

By collectively embracing these practices, we can cultivate a positive and secure online environment for our students. For additional resources and support, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated school counselors.

Thank you for your integral partnership in ensuring the well-being and safety of our students.