National School Safety Officers Day

February 15 is National School Safety Officer Day! We're honoring our dedicated team led by our Director of Safety and Security, Sara Cordova, and Assistant Director of Safety and Security, Nate Henyan. Our school safety department includes eight levy-funded School Safety Officers (SSOs) who are deeply embedded in our community. With extensive backgrounds in law enforcement, they collectively offer over 202 years of experience, reinforcing our steadfast dedication to the safety and well-being of our students and staff. 

While there is no such thing as a normal day for an SSO, their main priority is always the safety of staff and students. Their day tends to begin at the front door, giving safety officers the opportunity to greet and connect with students as they arrive.

For Darryl Henning, an SSO in his third year at Stanton Academy, this time is also used to note students’ mindsets so he knows if they may need additional resources later. Throughout the day, he helps staff with a range of issues, like student behavior, school rules and law violations, student conflict, and skipping classes. Through word of mouth, student behavior, and video surveillance, Darryl stays on top of developing issues that may disrupt the learning environment at Stanton. 

Students are sometimes surprised to see him in civilian clothes when outside of school, but SSOs are just people who care about people, and they have been in the business of effectively caring for people and helping people for a long time.  

“We cherish strong connections with our students and we have human hearts that truly care,” he shared.

The event that Darryl looks forward to every year is graduation night, when he witnesses the pride on their faces as they’re standing on the stage. 

“It's a big deal, it's a big celebration, and it's a giant step forward for these kids toward becoming productive, healthy adults,” he said.

In addition to greeting students at the beginning of the day, Jeff Cunningham maintains student safety during passing time between classes and during the lunch break at Wilson Middle School, along with assisting school administration with student behavior investigations and addressing student and parent concerns about incidents on school property. Now in his third year at YSD, Jeff also escorts students as needed, assists them in crisis and directs them to the appropriate resources or staff. Connecting with these students and helping them while they are at school is Jeff’s favorite part about his job.

The variety of skills that Jeff and other SSOs have is something else that he is especially proud of. 

“The knowledge, training and experience that each of the SSOs has is a benefit to the school district and to the students,” he said.

During his time as a police officer and then as detective, Damon Dunsmore, SSO at Lewis & Clark Middle School, had limited interaction with youth. That’s why his favorite part of his current role, which he’s been engaged in for over a year, centers around students. 

“It’s the time to interact with the students to help guide and mold them into productive and responsible adults,” he said of what he enjoys most about his role. “This ongoing process occurs throughout the three years the students attend Lewis & Clark Middle School.”

To foster these positive interactions and ensure everyone’s safety, Juan Carlos Balli, like all SSOs at our district, has completed extensive training. From first aid and CPR, to de-escalation and crisis prevention, he has made sure he has the tools he needs to effectively manage crises and support the safety and wellbeing of the Davis High School community. Now in his third year in this role, he is able to use his expertise to assist staff with issues that are not commonly encountered in school settings.

Juan’s favorite part of the job is working with a diverse range of individuals and situations.

“I enjoy helping young adults cope with their challenges while providing valuable life lessons,” he shared. “This role enables me to support individuals facing difficult issues and guide them toward positive resolutions.”

Gary Garza, an SSO at Washington Middle School, is in his third year as a School Safety Officer, but was a School Resource Officer for YSD for ten years prior to that. His assignment as an SRO provided him the opportunity to pursue training which focused mainly on how to effectively and positively deal with students and parents in schools. His extensive training as an SRO and police officer has well equipped Gary for this role.

Gary loves being among a team of staff and administrators who truly care about their students. In addition to working with such caring staff, he has the opportunity to connect with students from all walks of life.

“I look forward to opportunities for having positive interactions with students and parents, in and out of the principal's office, in order to build trust and confidence,” Gary said. “I have the privilege of providing these students with guidance and motivation for which, I hope, helps in their pursuit of what each and everyone of them can call a successful future.”

Brian Melton, who has been an SSO at Eisenhower High School for over two years, recalled a student who told him they were struggling with classes, failing most of them and feeling overwhelmed due to missing assignments. Brian suggested tackling one assignment at a time, then checked in with them to see how they were progressing. By the end of the semester, the student shared that they had raised all their grades to passing. On the last day of school, the student left a note in his school mailbox, which said that one day they will look back and remember when he had helped them get their grades up. They also said that this had helped them to grow and learn.

“Every day is unique and can have a variety of challenges that need to be addressed,” Brian said. “While the challenges need to be addressed, it is important to recognize the positive actions that greatly outnumber the challenging ones.”

Building these kinds of relationships is also something that Erica Rollinger enjoys as an SSO at Franklin Middle School. Currently in her second year in this role, she was previously an SRO in another school district for five years.

“I believe that life’s about choices,” Erica explained. “When given the opportunity, I enjoy engaging and empowering our youth in learning the importance of making positive life choices for their present and future.”

Her motivation for the support she provides is clear: “By collaboratively working with school administrators, staff, and students, we can help keep our schools and community safer.”

Let’s show our deepest appreciation and unwavering support for these exceptional individuals. Thank you to all our School Safety Officers and the entire Safety team for your immeasurable impact and invaluable commitment to the Yakima School District!