Toolkits and Helpful Resources for Parents, Educators, Students, and School Safety Partners
SchoolSafety.gov Back-to-School Campaign
SchoolSafety.gov's Back-to-School Campaign provides resources for K-12 school leaders, educators, staff, parents, and caregivers to support safe and supportive learning environments before, during, and after the start of the school year.
Resources include the 2026 Back-to-School Toolbox and 2026 Back-to-School Safety Actions.
Virginia 2026-2027 Back-to-School Safety Priorities
The Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety's 2026-2027 Back-to-School Safety Message identifies several priorities for Virginia K-12 schools, including: - Complete required school safety audit processes and applicable safety inspections.
- Confirm visitor management procedures and access control systems are functioning and consistently used.
- Update emergency contact lists and test emergency communication systems.
- Review crisis and emergency response plans, reunification procedures, drills, and multi-agency coordination.
- Provide clear procedures for reporting cyberbullying, digital threats, and other safety concerns.
- Maintain regular coordination with school resource officers, school security officers, and local first responders.
Behavioral Threat Assessment - 2026 Virginia Update
Virginia law requires threat assessment teams for public schools and requires new team members to complete initial threat assessment training, with refresher training for all team members every three years. A 2026 amendment to Code of Virginia 22.1-79.4 also requires existing annual training to include education on emergency substantial risk orders and substantial risk orders when addressing risk of harm posed by a student's access to a firearm. The statute also requires threat assessment teams to provide guidance on recognizing and reporting threatening or aberrant behavior that may represent a threat to the school community or to self.
Online Exploitation and Violent Online Networks
The FBI has warned parents, guardians, and teachers about violent online networks often referred to as "764". These networks may contact minors through social media, gaming platforms, and messaging applications, build trust, obtain personal or explicit material, and then use coercion or blackmail to pressure victims into escalating sexual, self-harm, or violent acts. The FBI recommends that adults maintain open communication with children about online activity and report suspected exploitation to law enforcement.
In August 2026, the FBI and NCAA also warned student-athletes about cyber-enabled sexual exploitation schemes used to obtain and distribute private images.
Hoax and Anonymous School Threats
The FBI emphasizes that hoax threats can result in serious criminal and school disciplinary consequences and consume significant public safety resources. If a school-related threat is encountered online, the FBI recommends reporting the threat rather than reposting or amplifying unverified information. Concerns should be reported to a trusted adult, school official, or law enforcement; call 911 when there is an immediate threat to life or safety.
2026 School Safety Inspection Resources
DCJS reports that the Virginia School Safety Inspection Checklist was updated in 2026 and that a mobile version is now available. The checklist uses a zone-based process incorporating Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles and modern security technologies.
Emergency Communications and Cell Phone-Free Schools
Virginia Department of Education guidance for cell phone-free education includes specific guidance on communication with parents during school-based emergencies, including lockdowns, as well as an appendix addressing school-based emergency communication practices. School divisions should ensure families understand how official emergency and reunification information will be communicated. VDOE Cell Phone-Free Education Guidance and Resources.
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