School Safety Blog
- Safety & Security
As summer approaches, many families begin asking the same question: How can students stay engaged, safe, and inspired while school is out?
In Scottsdale Unified School District, the answer lies in meaningful, real-world learning experiences made possible through strong partnerships with local and federal law enforcement agencies. These opportunities give high school students a safe, structured, and engaging way to explore future careers while building confidence and connection to their community.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
This summer, students can step into the world of public safety through hands-on programs led by the Scottsdale Police Department and the FBI, two of SUSD’s trusted partners.
The Scottsdale Police Department Public Safety Teen Academy will take place June 1–4 in Tempe (911 N. Stadem Drive). This multi-day experience introduces students to a wide range of careers in law enforcement through interactive activities, team-building exercises, and real-world demonstrations.
Students can sign up by visiting ScottsdaleAZ.gov and searching “Teen Academy.” Students may also connect with their School Resource Officer for additional information.
The FBI Teen Academy offers a unique, one-day immersive experience for high school students:
- Phoenix Teen Academy: June 9, 2026
- Tucson Teen Academy: June 11, 2026
Each session runs approximately eight hours and provides students with the opportunity to interact directly with FBI personnel, participate in hands-on activities, and learn about investigative work and federal law enforcement careers.
Students must apply by May 15, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Applications can be downloaded online through the FBI Phoenix or Tucson Teen Academy pages, and completed applications should be submitted as directed. For questions, students can contact px_outreach@fbi.gov.
More Than a Summer Activity
These programs go far beyond traditional summer offerings. They are intentionally designed to:
- Provide safe, structured environments for students
- Build positive relationships between youth and law enforcement
- Encourage leadership, responsibility, and critical thinking
- Inspire interest in meaningful, service-oriented careers
By allowing students to learn directly from professionals in the field, these experiences create a powerful connection between classroom learning and real-world application.
A Safe and Supportive Summer
At their core, these opportunities reflect SUSD’s commitment to student safety, engagement, and future readiness. Rather than unstructured downtime, students are given the chance to explore, grow, and discover new passions in environments built on mentorship and trust.
For students looking to make the most of their summer, these programs offer something truly valuable: a chance to gain real-world experience, build lasting skills, and see firsthand how they can make a difference in their community.
As we enter the final quarter of the school year, our focus across the district is simple: finish strong. This is a meaningful time for students to set goals, stay engaged in their learning, and build momentum for summer opportunities. Consistent attendance, steady routines, and positive choices make a real difference, especially as the calendar fills with end-of-year activities, tests, performances, and celebrations. Families and community members play an important role by encouraging students to give their best effort each day and reinforcing that the last quarter matters just as much as the first.
With warmer weather and longer days, routines can shift quickly. After-school practices, visits with friends, trips to parks, and time in community spaces often become part of daily life. We encourage families to stay connected by confirming where their child will be before and after school, who they are with, and how they will get home. Simple steps, like quick check-ins, updated emergency contacts, and clear expectations around curfews and transportation, can help prevent small issues from becoming larger concerns. This time of year, also brings increased safety risks, including swimming pools, high temperatures, and more unsupervised outdoor activity. Reminding students about water safety, hydration, and sun protection can help reduce preventable emergencies.
As we approach end-of-year traditions, we also ask families to talk with students about the real consequences of “pranks” and other risky behaviors. What may seem harmless in the moment can lead to injuries, property damage, disruptions to learning, and lasting legal or disciplinary consequences. Instead, we encourage students to celebrate in positive ways, thanking a teacher, supporting a teammate, volunteering, or participating in school-approved events that strengthen community and build trust.
Together, we can keep our campuses and neighborhoods safe, protect valuable learning time, and ensure every student finishes the year feeling proud of the choices they made.
Electric bikes have quickly become a common sight in our community. For many students, they offer independence and an efficient way to travel to and from school. As their popularity grows, so does the need for awareness around safety, district expectations, and local laws.
The district has long maintained a policy regarding the use of motorized equipment on school property. This includes e-bikes, motorized skateboards, scooters, and similar devices. Motorized equipment is not permitted on campus at any time, during school hours, on weekends, or over holidays. These guidelines are in place to protect students, staff, and visitors, and to preserve school facilities.
Beyond district policy, local regulations also play an important role. Cities such as Scottsdale and Phoenix have specific laws governing where e-bikes may be ridden, including restrictions in parks and on certain streets. Because laws vary by location, families should take time to understand the rules that apply in the areas where their children ride.
Safety remains the primary concern. Recently, there has been an increase in accidents involving students riding e-bikes to and from school, as well as recreationally on weekends. While many students ride responsibly, even a single lapse in judgment can lead to serious injury.
There has also been a rise in property damage on school campuses outside of school hours. Damaged fields, broken windows, and gravel displaced into parking lots due to tire burnouts have resulted in thousands of dollars in repairs and cleanup costs. What may seem like harmless fun can create hazardous conditions. For example, loose gravel in parking lots, has led to slip-and-fall incidents and requires significant staff time to address.
E-bikes can be a positive and practical transportation option when used responsibly. Maintaining that balance requires a partnership between families, schools, and students. Open conversations about safety, local laws, and district expectations can help prevent accidents and costly damage before they occur. School Resource Officers are also available to support families in reinforcing safe riding habits and responsible decision-making.
By working together, we can ensure that innovation and independence go hand in hand with safety, respect for property, and care for our community.
We hope you and your family enjoyed a restful and refreshing break. As we return to our regular routines, SUSD Security Services would like to share an important reminder regarding traffic safety on and around our school campuses.
In recent weeks, the district has received a number of concerns related to driving behaviors during drop-off and pick-up times. These include speeding, stopping in traffic lanes to drop off students, and encouraging children to cross streets from undesignated locations. While we understand how busy mornings and afternoons can be, these practices create unsafe conditions for everyone.
This time of year also brings an increase in visitors to our community for special events. Many guests stay not only in nearby hotels but also in short-term rentals throughout our neighborhoods. With the added traffic, congestion around campuses can be more pronounced than usual.
We kindly ask families and visitors to plan ahead by allowing a little extra time, arriving slightly earlier or later when possible, and exercising patience during peak hours. Please follow your school’s established drop-off and pick-up procedures. These plans were thoughtfully designed to help hundreds of students, staff, families, and visitors move safely and efficiently during the busiest times of the day.
Unsafe driving practices place our community at risk. In the event of an accident, those most affected are our children, educators, classmates, and neighbors. A few extra minutes of patience and care can truly make a life-saving difference.
Thank you for your continued cooperation, kindness, and commitment to keeping our campuses safe. Together, we can ensure a secure and welcoming environment for all.
— SUSD Security Services
The holidays are here, and that means family and friends are visiting! While we love reconnecting with returning students and hearing about all the great things they’re doing, school is still in session. Anyone wishing to visit a campus must sign in at the front office during office hours. For safety and liability reasons, returning students are not permitted to use weight rooms or other school facilities. We encourage you to stop by, say “hi,” and enjoy your visit, just please follow the rules.
This time of year can be stressful for everyone. With the end of the semester approaching, tempers can be short, stress levels high, and patience stretched thin. Parking lots, in particular, can be a hotspot for tension. Horn honking, speeding, and close calls during morning drop-off or afternoon pick-up can turn routine moments into unsafe situations. Staff are working hard to follow SUSD policies and keep students safe, but incidents of yelling or inappropriate language have been on the rise.
Our Student Advisory Board recently asked what can be done to make parking lots safer, and the answer is clear: we all play a role. Aggressive driving in parking lots or on nearby streets often involves parents, students, and staff alike. By exercising patience, staying calm, and treating one another with kindness, we can help ensure everyone enjoys a safe and happy holiday season.