http://www.dare.org/power-one-role-d-r-e-officer-get-heart-education/
The above link is an article that appeared in the Fall, 2014, Journal of School Safety that is produced by NASRO. This article has many useful tips for SROs, school administrators, and counselors for reaching at-risk youth in the school setting. The initial thoughts on this topic come from the students themselves---which is always enlightening. Then, the author offers insight on educating at-risk youth. Great read!!
Note: This author was the keynote speaker at the 2014 NASRO School Safety Conference.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Department of Homeland Security - School Safety
http://www.dhs.gov/school-safety
The Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with other agencies, offers training, resources, and other information that is of great value to practicing school administrators that are looking to make their school safer.
I have found the links on the DHS School Safety page on "Protecting Our Schools Infrastructure", "School Transportation Security Awareness", and "Preparing Your School for a Crisis" to be invaluable when updating school safety plans and preparing for crises in the school setting.
Jason Baker
Monday, December 1, 2014
School Safety Legal Issues and Laws
http://education.findlaw.com/school-safety/legal-issues-and-laws-relating-to-school-safety.html
We all are familiar with school law and the legal issues in education. This article provides an overview of legal issues and laws pertaining to school safety that parents, guardians, and educators show be familiar with. Some of the topics of discussion include bullying, premises liability, First Amendment concerns, student codes of conduct/discipline policies, and school related product safety. Definitely a good read.
We all are familiar with school law and the legal issues in education. This article provides an overview of legal issues and laws pertaining to school safety that parents, guardians, and educators show be familiar with. Some of the topics of discussion include bullying, premises liability, First Amendment concerns, student codes of conduct/discipline policies, and school related product safety. Definitely a good read.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Our first Board meeting for the 2015 Conference will be Nov. 18, 2014, at 9:00
in Hoover, AL at the NASRO headquarters, which is located inside the Hoover
Public Safety building (2020 Valleydale Road, Hoover, AL 35244.
This is also an opportunity for administrators who
attended the 2014 conference to fulfill a PLU requirement. Please pass along to
those who may qualify .
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Intruder Alert...Is everyone safe and accounted for?
There are many ways that intruder drills are executed. Administrators, faculty, and staff in school organizations develop safety plans that detail how to handle an intruder situation. When an intruder enters the building, how do you know the safety and location of all the individuals in the building? My school organization decided to develop a quick form that asks for the following information:
Teacher's Name
Status
*Clear
*Missing Student
*Additional Adult(s)
Additional Adult(s) Name(s)______________________
Missing Student(s) Name(s) and Location__________________________
Additional Student(s) Name(s)_____________________________
Teachers have access to this form on various devices and simply hit submit. Administrators are able to see immediate results and make decisions based on this information. As with anything, there are possible issues that could take place including technology issues. Alternatives are available. This is just one step of many to ensure the safety of our students.
CS
Teacher's Name
Status
*Clear
*Missing Student
*Additional Adult(s)
Additional Adult(s) Name(s)______________________
Missing Student(s) Name(s) and Location__________________________
Additional Student(s) Name(s)_____________________________
Teachers have access to this form on various devices and simply hit submit. Administrators are able to see immediate results and make decisions based on this information. As with anything, there are possible issues that could take place including technology issues. Alternatives are available. This is just one step of many to ensure the safety of our students.
CS
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Impact of Social Media
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/4/800.full
Over the last few years we have seen an increase in the use of social media among pre-adolescents and adolescents. As such, this has become a significant part of this generations overall development. As a result, we have continued to see an increase in bullying, cliques, and sexual exploration among our youth. Adolescents typically find it is easier to experiment more and say more when they do not have to look directly into the face of the person involved. The children accessing these sites have yet to develop the ability to regulate their behavior, understand how to deal with peer pressure, and understand the consequences of misuse. As a result there is a need for increased education on the ramifications of such behavior.
There are many positive things that have come from social media such as enhanced learning opportunities, the opportunity to improve their communities, and the ability to access important information. However there are many significant risks as well. Adolescents have a higher risk of inappropriate peer to peer contact, a lack of understanding of privacy issues, and a lack of understanding on how to deal with the advertisements that are aimed at them. As a result we have seen an increase in cyber bullying, sexting, and depression.
As schools, we need to work to educate our students, parents, and communities. We need to work with students and teach them coping skills when negative things bombard their lives and screens to prevent self harm. We need to educate them on the consequences that they could face legally when they are a part of cyber bullying. We need to educate them on privacy and the things that they should not share, as people misrepresent themselves to bring harm to others. Essentially, we need to TEACH! Teach them right from wrong. Teach them that not everything is as it seems. Teach them not to depend on others for their personal feelings of success. We are raising a generation that is exposed to so much more than any of us could imagine. We know that as adolescents that they are still formulating a conscience, so we need to help mold that conscience in a positive manner.
Over the last few years we have seen an increase in the use of social media among pre-adolescents and adolescents. As such, this has become a significant part of this generations overall development. As a result, we have continued to see an increase in bullying, cliques, and sexual exploration among our youth. Adolescents typically find it is easier to experiment more and say more when they do not have to look directly into the face of the person involved. The children accessing these sites have yet to develop the ability to regulate their behavior, understand how to deal with peer pressure, and understand the consequences of misuse. As a result there is a need for increased education on the ramifications of such behavior.
There are many positive things that have come from social media such as enhanced learning opportunities, the opportunity to improve their communities, and the ability to access important information. However there are many significant risks as well. Adolescents have a higher risk of inappropriate peer to peer contact, a lack of understanding of privacy issues, and a lack of understanding on how to deal with the advertisements that are aimed at them. As a result we have seen an increase in cyber bullying, sexting, and depression.
As schools, we need to work to educate our students, parents, and communities. We need to work with students and teach them coping skills when negative things bombard their lives and screens to prevent self harm. We need to educate them on the consequences that they could face legally when they are a part of cyber bullying. We need to educate them on privacy and the things that they should not share, as people misrepresent themselves to bring harm to others. Essentially, we need to TEACH! Teach them right from wrong. Teach them that not everything is as it seems. Teach them not to depend on others for their personal feelings of success. We are raising a generation that is exposed to so much more than any of us could imagine. We know that as adolescents that they are still formulating a conscience, so we need to help mold that conscience in a positive manner.
Components of a secure school
http://www.campussafetymagazine.com/article/11-components-of-a-secure-school-front-entrance
We know that protecting our schools from unwanted visitors is an imperfect thing at best. I found this article to be very interesting, as well as an outstanding tool to evaluate where each school is in meeting the safety and security components of the most heavily traveled location in our buildings, the front door. Finding a proper balance between safety and security and a welcoming entrance can be a tough act but it is the first line of defense when it comes to our schools, therefore it requires proper attention.
While my school meets most of these criteria, the fact that we are in an older building limits us from following through on several of the vital recommendations, as well as the areas that my SRO has pointed out. In reality this article represents the, "...if I could design my school building the way I would want..." mentality. I know that there are areas that we should address and fix but I also know that there are just some things that I cannot change. I guess as in everything, it is a constant work in progress as well as working with your limitations.
We know that protecting our schools from unwanted visitors is an imperfect thing at best. I found this article to be very interesting, as well as an outstanding tool to evaluate where each school is in meeting the safety and security components of the most heavily traveled location in our buildings, the front door. Finding a proper balance between safety and security and a welcoming entrance can be a tough act but it is the first line of defense when it comes to our schools, therefore it requires proper attention.
While my school meets most of these criteria, the fact that we are in an older building limits us from following through on several of the vital recommendations, as well as the areas that my SRO has pointed out. In reality this article represents the, "...if I could design my school building the way I would want..." mentality. I know that there are areas that we should address and fix but I also know that there are just some things that I cannot change. I guess as in everything, it is a constant work in progress as well as working with your limitations.
Schools are safer due to increased awareness
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/13/school-violence-security-sandy-hook/3446023/
I think this perspective is really true when it comes to the overall safety of our schools. We have all become far more aware of our surroundings, have trained our staff and students on what to do, we practice on a regular basis, doors are locked, and buzzer systems have been installed. All of these things have increased the safety of our school buildings and help to protect them from acts of violence.
So much of what is happening now needs to refocus on something we have always known, we need more opportunities to provide appropriate mental health support for our schools and community. School shootings have a psychological impact on the community and country which causes alarms throughout. When you look at the overall statistics and the number of students and teachers on the campuses of schools around this country, we find that in reality, most of our schools are extremely safe places for students.
I think this perspective is really true when it comes to the overall safety of our schools. We have all become far more aware of our surroundings, have trained our staff and students on what to do, we practice on a regular basis, doors are locked, and buzzer systems have been installed. All of these things have increased the safety of our school buildings and help to protect them from acts of violence.
So much of what is happening now needs to refocus on something we have always known, we need more opportunities to provide appropriate mental health support for our schools and community. School shootings have a psychological impact on the community and country which causes alarms throughout. When you look at the overall statistics and the number of students and teachers on the campuses of schools around this country, we find that in reality, most of our schools are extremely safe places for students.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Sexting
Recently read the following article:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/01/07/sexting-common-linked-to-sex-among-high-risk-youth/?intcmp=features
This link above is an article that discusses how a researcher in a Rhode Island hospital conducted a study in which he found middle school students with behavioral or emotional problems to be at a higher risk for sexting and for engaging in sexual activity. Each of us have students at our schools with various challenges, and I have unfortunately had to deal with students before that have made these poor decisions. I was curious what your thoughts are in response to this article, and if any of you have words of wisdom that may benefit us all as we work to point the children under our care in the right direction.
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/01/07/sexting-common-linked-to-sex-among-high-risk-youth/?intcmp=features
This link above is an article that discusses how a researcher in a Rhode Island hospital conducted a study in which he found middle school students with behavioral or emotional problems to be at a higher risk for sexting and for engaging in sexual activity. Each of us have students at our schools with various challenges, and I have unfortunately had to deal with students before that have made these poor decisions. I was curious what your thoughts are in response to this article, and if any of you have words of wisdom that may benefit us all as we work to point the children under our care in the right direction.
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