That was the focus of this year's Districtwide Campus Safety Summit held on July 16, 2026. DC Public Charter School Board Executive Director Dr. Michelle J. Walker-Davis joined Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) Paul Kihn, school leaders, public safety officials, and community partners to celebrate the launch of the District's new School Safety Office (SSO).
Dr. Walker-Davis applauded the DME for bringing partners together around a shared goal.
"This new office reflects an important truth: keeping students safe is not the responsibility of one school, one agency, or one sector," she said. "It is a shared responsibility, and it requires all of us working together."
The SSO is the District's first centralized hub for coordinating safety supports across DC Public Schools, Public Charter Schools, and private schools. The office will help schools access behavioral health resources, safety guidance, interagency coordination, and other services designed to prevent crises before they happen.
"When a school is facing a safety concern, getting help shouldn't depend on who you know or which sector you belong to," said Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn. "The School Safety Office gives schools a single place to turn for support."
For public charter schools, the new office is especially significant. School leaders have long called for stronger coordination and a more streamlined process for accessing government resources when safety concerns arise. The new office answers those needs while building on partnerships already underway, including DC PCSB's biweekly School Safety Calls, where schools and agency partners work together to identify challenges, share best practices, and strengthen communication.
Dr. Walker-Davis also reminded school leaders to continue listening to students.
"Safety isn't only about cameras, procedures, or emergency response plans. It's also about relationships, belonging, and creating environments where young people feel seen, heard, and valued."
That message was reinforced through her remarks about DC PCSB's Teen Voice & Safe Spaces initiative, which encourages school communities to listen directly to young people about what helps them feel connected, supported, and safe.
As schools prepare for the upcoming school year, the launch of the SSO represents an important investment in collaboration, prevention, and student well-being, helping ensure every student has the opportunity to learn in a safe, welcoming environment.