St. Mary’s School’s Crisis Plan was developed by key stakeholders and community members including the Vice President of International Security for U.S. Bank, a former fire chief, a nurse, a Department of Energy National Emergency Management Specialist, a deputy police officer from Anderson County, and a police officer from the Knox County Sheriff’s Department.  The plan is review annual by the faculty and staff.  Safety drills are conducted throughout the school year to ensure faculty, staff, and students are equipped to respond in an emergency situation.

Saint Mary’s School has adopted an integrated school safety software that enables schools to prevent, prepare, respond and recover from any emergency.  All individuals visiting the school are required to present their government-issued identification card (i.e. driver’s license) to the office staff up arrival.  Their card is then scanned into the Raptor system where it is screened by sex-offender databases from around the country, as well as other custom databases. Once cleared by the system, the visitor is added to our attendance rosters in case of an emergency and is issued a printed visitor badge.  This badge must be worn and visible at all time in the building and returned to the office upon leaving.

St. Mary’s faculty and staff completed an Active Assailant Training in September 2022.  The training was conducted by a nationally recognized law enforcement and security professional.  The consultant also conducted a security assessment and found St. Mary’s exemplified the following best practices:

1. Each classroom is equipped with an emergency “go bag” which contains the crisis plan,
rosters, radio headphones, and a basic first aid kit.
2. Each classroom has an exterior window configured as an emergency exit.
3. School administrators and staff are provided two-way portable radios for emergency
communication.
4. A mental health professional, on a part-time basis, is available to staff and students.
5. Visitor entry access control is effectively maintained by the physical security systems and the
office staff.
6. The staff was collaboratively engaged during the active assailant training event and
appeared committed to continuously improving the school’s security posture and active
assailant program. Administration was receptive to input from the staff.

Circle of Grace is a Christian safe environment program developed by the Archdiocese of Omaha in 2007.  The program provides lessons and materials for kindergarten through 12th grade students to establish and protect their Circle of Grace.  The goal of the program is to educate and empower children and young people to actively participate in a safe environment for themselves and others.  Program Overview

All volunteers who wish to serve at St. Mary’s are required to complete:

  1. an annual review of the Diocese of Knoxville’s Policy and Procedures Relating to Sexual Misconduct
  2. CMG Connect Safe Haven training program to be completed every 5 years
  3. Criminal Background Check to be completed every 5 years

For more information regarding volunteering visit Volunteer Information on our website.

GoGuardian is a leading software tool that allows for safe, student internet browsing and device management.  St. Mary’s School utilizes GoGuardian to strengthen the school’s firewall, monitor internet usage, and maximize the learning potential of our 1:1 Chromebook classrooms.  For more information visit GoGuardian’s Website.