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Safe and Healthy Schools Commission highlights toolkit, urges secure firearm storage for child safety
Summary
Natalie Sanchez, chair of the Washoe County Safe and Healthy Schools Commission, reviewed the commission's toolkit and outreach videos and invited community participation. Renown pediatric specialist Jorge Montano Figueroa urged secure firearm storage and cited a local uptick in youth firearm injuries; presenters noted evidence that locked, unloaded storage reduces risk.
Natalie Sanchez, chair of the Washoe County Safe and Healthy Schools Commission, described the commission's work and resources at the Consortium meeting, including a Safe and Healthy Schools Toolkit and a short video series posted on the district website and YouTube.
"We like to think of ourselves as a small but mighty group...we meet to discuss concerns, issues, and...what would be safe and healthy practices as we think about supporting children in the school district," Sanchez said. The commission, created under Board Policy 5800, has addressed bathroom safety, student mental health, screen-time guidance and lockdown procedures, Sanchez said, and the group seeks additional stakeholder participation.
The presentation included a brief video the commission has produced for community education and a recommendation that member agencies share the toolkit and videos with their networks. "If you could share with your agencies or with anybody that you know," the chair said, "there's some really good content there."
Jorge Montano Figueroa, a pediatric injury-prevention specialist at Renown Children's Hospital and commission member, said firearm injuries among local youth have increased in frequency and severity and emphasized safe storage as a preventive measure. "Secure storage saves lives," he said. A presenter cited evidence in the meeting that households that keep firearms unloaded, locked and stored separately from ammunition are about 70% less likely to experience an unintentional shooting or gun death.
Commissioners and members discussed distribution of the commission's materials in schools, the use of officers biking with students on safe-route days, and past online safety forums held during the COVID pandemic. Sanchez said the commission has moved some programming online to reach a broader audience and will present a fuller series of the toolkit videos on the district site.
The consortium asked the commission to share its toolkit links and video series with member agencies. The commission will present further materials at upcoming meetings.
