Guns are not the biggest threat to schools

This article offers six strategies that will help schools with the biggest issues we face in dealing with school safety. 

I agree with the author in stating the following: "Keeping the first law of loss prevention in mind, it is worth remembering that unpleasant experiences should not be the driver of security policies and practices."  We need to be pro-active rather than reactive in establishing our preparedness policies and practices.  This includes making sure we train our staff and students to fidelity on our established policies and practices.  It also means that we hold staff accountable to these policies and procedures and don't allow them to prop open their doors or leave exterior doors open. 

Another  tidbit of information the article provided in terms of student anxiety was quite alarming.
"The average high school kid today has the same level of anxiety as the average psychiatric patient in the early 50's, " psychologist Dr. Robert A Leahy wrote in 2008 article in Psychology Today.
We all know that higher levels of anxiety and stress equate to increased levels of acting out type of behaviors.  It is imperative that we update our knowledge on school security and build relationships with students and staff that will alert us about potential problems. 

We need to be more committed to making sure that our policies and practices are followed and we meet routinely to address issues or flaws in our plans to keep our schools safe.

11 Components of a Secure School Front Entrance

www.campussafetymagazine.com

Brad Spicer

Our front entrance is the only place that visitors are allowed to enter our school. I was hoping to find additional things that we could to do make our front entrance more secure within this article. Mr. Spicer provides eleven components in this article that can help to make a school more secure and prevent access to those who may present a threat to student safety. Mr. Spicer says that fencing should be used around the perimeter of a campus. Although a fence will not prevent individuals from entering the campus, it will certainly make them more noticeable as they cross it. We have a couple of areas at my school that could be easily fenced to restrict access, without making our campus feel like a prison. He also indicates that schools should have a single point of entry with all other access points being locked and not used for entry. Entry points should be monitored with a video camera and an intercom system that will allow school staff to communicate with visitors. Access points may also have electronic access controls so that staff members may enter using an entry pad, card reader, etc. Once visitors have entered the school facility, Mr. Spicer indicates that their arrival and departure should be strictly monitored using a quality visitor management program. Other components that are suggested include the use of a vestibule or double entry areas so that an initial door can be unlocked, allowing access to the office but not to the remainder of the school and a panic button that can be used to summons help from law enforcement. It is also recommends that door hardware be kept in good working order and that front entrances include as little glass as possible, as it is easy to breach. Lastly, Mr. Spicer indicates that school employees should continuously maintain a raised sense of awareness, especially during times such as arrival and dismissal of students.  Although the front entrance to my school is quite secure and visitors are managed fairly well, I found ideas from this article that could be very helpful. Although it wouldn’t be easily done, the idea of a double entrance seems to be a very good way to fully identify visitors before giving them full access to the school. Hopefully we can all continue to be cautious and aware, providing a safer school for our students and teachers.

Active Shooter Response

ALICE Training Institute

Many useful strategies for effective response to an active shooter in a school or workplace can be found at www.alicetraining.com. One article found on this website reminds us that ALICE is an acronym for alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate. The article emphasizes that information should be shared clearly, and people should be empowered to make informed decisions based on their individual circumstances. When locking down, it is important to silence devices and barricade access points to the room as well as possible. At our school, most teachers have had conversations with students about how classroom entrances can be barricaded. However, this is difficult with our classroom doors because they all open outward because of fire code. Also, while in a lockdown, individuals should utilize their time and give consideration to what steps will be taken should an intruder breach the barricade. Accurate, real-time information is crucial during an active shooter situation. Individuals can make better informed decisions if they know the whereabouts of the intruder and whether the intruder appears to be working alone. This will allow individuals to assess the possibility of a safe evacuation. At my school, we try to share this information by text or email when possible. Individuals should consider strategies for countering an attack prior to finding themselves within an active shooter situation. Although the though of such a situation terrifies me, countering an attack could be last resort option between life and death for students and teachers. Students should be taught to create disruptive noises and movements that can be a distraction to the shooter, once the barrier is breached, reducing a shooter’s accuracy. Lastly, the article emphasizes that rally points should be determined during the planning phase so that there is a common meeting place in the event that evacuation is possible.

Getting to the Heart of Education and Listening to the Whole At-Risk Student

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.    

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

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.

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 .     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Communicating Safety Article

I just wanted to share an article from the American School Board Journal that I found interesting.  It was written by Kenneth Trump entitled “Communicating Safety”.  It can be accessed at the following web address: http://www.schoolsecurity.org/training/Communicating-Safety.pdf.  Here are a few interesting excerpts from the article:

 “Parents send their children  to school under the impression that all possible steps-from prevention to security to preparedness-have been taken.  When an incident occurs, many parents then question whether the trust they have placed in school leaders has been violated.               Effective school-community relations can be defined as “good behavior, well communicated.” To effectively communicate about safety issues, you must make sure your schools have well-developed and exercised safety  and crisis plans and your staff is trained to implement the plans.”

   “Parents basically want to know the answers to two different broad questions:

1)      What measures are in place in my child’s school to prevent or reduce the risk of crime, violence, and other safety hazards?

2)      Are school officials prepared to respond and manage incidents that can’t be prevented?”

“Preparedness measures include crisis plans that are well developed and exercised, staff members trained on these plans, strong partnerships with first responders and community agencies, and related efforts.”

“Board members, superintendents, principals, and other representatives should be able to articulate district and building-level measures that are in place at any time-before, during, or after a crisis.  Telling parents and the media that school safety is “our top priority” is not enough. Parents and reporters are much more educated consumers of best practices, and generalities will not suffice.”  

“The time to prepare for the future is now. School safety is a leadership issue. By making prevention, security, and preparedness an ongoing district priority, boards and administrators can protect children and staff, the district’s reputation, and the credibility of the district’s leaders.”

I hope you all have a nice weekend.

2014 TAASRO 15th Annual "Safe Schools" Conference

TAASRO is once again gearing up for our annual conference. Potential education slated for this year involves: juvenile emotional and physical responses to stressful environments explained through psychological and biological means, new trends in music, clothing and behavior that effects the school environment, adaptive mindset concerning personal safety (self-defense), new active shooter response techniques, information on human trafficking, school massacre in Beslan, Russia (blueprint for American school attack), understanding and interacting with special education students. Given these topics, I am soliciting suggestions for a conference theme that would integrate each into a single purpose of education.

Anna Watts Professional Learning : School Bullies Often Popular, Survey Finds

Anna Watts Professional Learning : School Bullies Often Popular, Survey Finds: School Bullies Often Popular, Survey Finds

Bullying and Cyber-bullying: A New Compounding Dynamic in our Public Schools that Can No Longer be Ignored

Bullying has become a rampant plague, to the detriment of education, because of the effects on the safe and learning school environment.  The once common statement “that’s just kids being kids,” has begun to be retracted as we have seen a dramatic influx of violence directly related to bullying within the school walls.  Bullying in the form of simple verbal and physical harassment, along with modern technology in the form of cyber bullying, has quickly caught the nation’s attention.  An in-depth look into the effects that bullying within our schools has revealed youth depression, increased truancy rates, decreased academic performance, “bullycide” or suicide driven by bullying, and sudden acts of serious or deadly violence.  Recognizing such issues, a massive push to reestablish the safe and learning school environment is in the forefront of many school systems across the nation.  Although a bullying situation might be dealt with at school, the offender is likely to continue the attacks through email, text messaging, or social websites away from school.  This bleeds back over into the school setting, causing anxiety, fear, and duress of the victim, leading to an inability to concentrate on the learning aspect of the school environment.  The latest phenomena to the detriment of a safe and learning school environment is the compounding dynamic of bullying in school and cyber-bullying away from campus, which can no longer be ignored.

TAASRO's New School Safety Blog

In light of the new technology resources, the Alabama Association of School Resource Officers will offer this new blog for all its members and for those who will add significant information in the quest to maintain the integrity of a safe school enviroment.