A safe and secure environment is vital to the success of our schools. Parents and children should enter our properties and facilities with the confidence that every possible measure has been taken to ensure their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. 

In keeping with District Goal #9, Ladue Schools recognizes that the learning environment plays a crucial role in shaping our student’s educational experiences and is committed to providing safe, supportive, comfortable, and modern facilities conducive to learning. We have several measures to create a safe and secure culture for students. They include the following:

• All candidates for employment undergo extensive background checks before they are hired. In addition, Missouri law requires school districts to disclose to other districts if former employees have been investigated for sexual misconduct.
  
  

• By law, all public school employees are mandatory reporters, which means they are legally required to report any allegation of child abuse or neglect to the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division. The state then conducts a thorough, independent investigation.
  
  

• Every Ladue Schools staff member completes an annual training called “Smarter Adults, Safer Children,” which teaches employees how to identify inappropriate staff/student conduct and informs staff of their obligation as mandatory reporters.
  
  

• We teach students how to report a concern at school, whether directly to a teacher, administrator, or another trusted adult employee or by using Courage2Report, an anonymous tip line. In addition, our teachers, administrators, staff, and SRO work hard to create a culture where students feel safe and comfortable sharing concerns with a trusted adult.
  
  

• Per Policy GBH: Staff/Student Relations, staff members are required to maintain professional and courteous relationships with students, including when communicating electronically or by any other means. Maintaining appropriate physical and emotional boundaries with students is an essential requirement for employment in the district.
  
  

• As outlined in Policy AC: Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation, if the district determines that discrimination, harassment, or retaliation has occurred, it will take prompt, effective, and appropriate action to address the behavior, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects.