Safety & Security
School Culture
We build our school community at CCA around knowing each other and being known ourselves. Our safety culture will be in play from day one. Learning is predicated on a safe environment where students can focus on their studies rather than worry about their wellbeing. We don’t get ready, we stay ready.
Safety Intelligence Community
We partner with trusted organizations such as the Partner Alliance for Safe Schools, the National Center for School Safety, the U.S. Secret Service, and the US Department of Homeland Security for credible information and training resources. We trust partners like these to collect, organize, and deliver timely reports that include the most relevant data available. We also utilize these relationships to find out about grant opportunities related to safety at both the state and federal levels.
Physical Security
Our goal is to make the campus as safe as possible by utilizing tools and technology in a well-informed way that also stewards our finances responsibly. We are continuously in conversations with emergency responders, professional safety firms, and school safety resource partners to know what is available in the market and, most importantly, what actually produces results for safety. We are also continuously researching financial opportunities that will allow us to increase physical security features, emergency communication tools, and critical infrastructure components.
Training & Drills
CCA staff and students will undergo safety training and emergency response drills throughout the year. Our drills are dynamic and test for multiple scenarios and variables based on real-world situations. While these will not be the standard drills you may be accustomed to, they play a key part in training everyone on how to stay safe in an emergency. Additionally, all faculty and staff will be CPR, AED, and anti-choking certified by licensed trainers.
Relationships with First Responders
We have already cultivated a strong relationship with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office and look forward to deepening our partnership with them. CSO has completed active threat training in our building, provided an initial campus threat assessment, and also gave direct feedback for our Emergency Response Plan, which is approved by the state and would be utilized in an emergency. We continue our strong relationship with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security (GEMA/HS) office as well, who literally define the state standard for safety. These agencies have completed threat assessment visits to our campus and regularly provide their expert perspectives so we can learn from their collective experience to keep us safe.
Comprehensive Operational Safety
In addition to the aforementioned safety measures, the CCA Operations team will partner with experts in their respective fields to ensure safety is a priority in all areas, not just the ones that are most visible. This includes our clinic, information technology, after-school care, and school nutrition.
School Resources
SCHOOL COUNSELOR: Students have access to consult with a trusted counselor at any time during the school day or after-hours via email. Parents may also connect with counselors to explore resources to support their students.
ANONYMOUS TIP LINE: CCA will utilize the The Sandy Hook Promise SaySomething Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) to provide an option for the CCA community to anonymously submit safety concerns. Unlike other anonymous reporting systems, the SS-ARS line is staffed 24/7/365 with trained criss counselors who are 100% dedicated to school safety. Once the system is live, it will allow anonymous reporting via phone number, web browser, or dedicated app.
Operations Leadership
Mr. Drew Bryant (dbryant@cherokeeclassicalacademy.org)
Drew is the Director of Operations at Cherokee Classical Academy and will oversee the ongoing operational and safety excellence of the campus. With over 10 years of law enforcement experience, Drew has a proven track record of utilizing his well-informed perspective on safety to lead complex operations in both correctional and nonprofit environments. He has built a reputation for designing effective training for emergency response, implementing robust safety protocols, and developing high-performing teams. As a husband, father, and Cherokee County resident, Drew also understands the importance of local relationships and the role they play in creating a strong community.
Mr. Kent Messini (kmessini@libertyclassicalschools.org)
Kent is the Director of Operations for Liberty Classical Schools and was the previous Director of Operations for CCA’s sister school, Northwest Classical Academy in Kennesaw. He spends hundreds of hours each year researching safety topics and developing relationships with key safety partners to make all Liberty schools as safe as possible. This gives Drew the benefit of being able to focus on the day-to-day needs of the school while still being able to learn about the broader best practices being discussed in the safety community. Kent and his wife live in Kennesaw and their children attend NCA.