School Safety & Violence Prevention
Professional Development Needs Assessment 2008-2009
The Center for Safe Schools is interested in your district's professional development priorities and needs related to school safety and violence prevention for the 2008-2009 school year. Your responses will help guide the Center for Safe Schools in determining professional development opportunities for the 2008-2009 school year.
Please take a moment to complete a brief online survey by clicking on the link below. The survey will be available until June 6.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey.
State Officials Unveil New Tool to Protect Children Against Online Dangers
HARRISBURG (May 7, 2008) – A new resource to help teach Pennsylvania children how to remain safe while using the Internet was unveiled today at the Safe Schools Conference in Harrisburg.
"Protecting Our Kids Online" is a video/CD that has been distributed to schools and intermediate units across the state. In addition, more than 500 law enforcement agencies have received related training.
The project is a joint effort of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the Department of Education and the Pennsylvania State Police.
“While the Internet gives youngsters the chance to grow and learn in an ever-changing technological environment, it is imperative for parents and educators to be proactive and protect children from the dangers of online sexual predators and cyber bullies,” said PCCD Chairman Walter M. Phillips. “The Protecting Our Kids Online CD is a wonderful tool to assist and educate parents, school administrators, teachers and community members about these threats and the appropriate steps they can take.”
“The Internet provides great opportunities for young people to learn about our world, but we must do all we can to ensure that our children don’t become the victims of Internet crime,” said State Police Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller.
“Providing a safe, nurturing environment for our children, both inside and outside of school, is a shared responsibility and takes a collective response,” Education Secretary Gerald L.
Zahorchak said. “When all of us – educators, parents, and caregivers alike – work together, we can ensure each child grows into an inspired, productive life-long learner.”
The Protecting Our Kids Online CD was funded by the PCCD and supported by the Center for Schools and Communities, which focuses on prevention and intervention initiatives operated by schools, organizations and agencies serving children, youth and families. To view the video online, visit http://www.center-school.org/pko/.
Today’s announcement came on the final day of the 2008 Safe Schools Conference, “Keeping Our Children Safe: Strategies for Schools and Communities,” which addressed all aspects of comprehensive safe schools planning, including Internet safety issues.
The conference was sponsored by the Department of Education in partnership with State Police, PCCD, and the Center for Safe Schools. More information may be found online at www.safeschoolsinfo.com
For more information about PCCD and the commission’s other services and programs, visit www.pccd.state.pa.us.
NOTE: This press release originally appeared on the PA Internet News Service. http://www.cmsweb.listenz.com/pins/PCCDSafeSchools.html
2008 Governor’s Institute for Educators
The 2008 Governor’s Institute for Educators: Improving Academic Success Through Positive School Culture will be held July 27 – August 1, 2008 at Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, PA. This institute will challenge school teams to examine the quality of the learning environment in their school to determine if the current culture supports and promotes academic achievement. The Institute is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
To learn more and to register, click here.
HIGHMARK Healthy High 5 - Bullying Prevention Institute
March 27 and April 22, 2008
The Center for Safe Schools is pleased to provide you with this information on two regional Professional Development opportunities offered through Highmark Healthy High 5.
First offered through the Highmark Healthy High 5 Bullying Prevention Institute summit in October 2007, these three-hour, hands-on sessions in two regional locations teach the fundamentals of bullying, consequences and prevention.
Plan to join highly experienced, certified Olweus Bullying Prevention Program trainers as they address the topic of bullying and its impact on social climate and the experiences of children in school. This event will give you the information and resources you need to create an effective bullying prevention program in your school!
Click here for more information and to register online.
Applications Invited for Grants To Reduce Alcohol Abuse in Secondary Schools
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools is seeking applicants for its Grants To Reduce Alcohol Abuse Program. The announcement was published in the January 3, 2008, issue of the Federal Register. The program provides grants to local educational agencies to develop and implement innovative and effective programs to reduce alcohol abuse in secondary schools. The application deadline is February 19, 2008. For further information about this funding opportunity, see the Federal Register Notice.
Web Site Offers Drug Abuse Research Resources
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has launched a Web site to serve researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. The NIDA Networking Project site facilitates information sharing and research collaboration among those concerned with drug abuse through access to locations, people, expertise, and resources from NIDA's research networks. To access the NIDA Networking Project Web site, visit http://nnp.drugabuse.gov/.
Safe Schools Initiative Grantees Announced
In December 2007, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, through its Office for Safe Schools, announced the grantees for the Safe Schools Initiative grant funding for fiscal year 2007-2008. Click here for more information.
Announcement of new GRANT FUNDING to prevent bullying in Pennsylvania Schools
The Center for Safe Schools, through a unique partnership with the Highmark Foundation, its Healthy High 5 Initiative, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, is pleased to announce the availability of grants of up to $7500 for Pennsylvania schools to address the serious issue of bullying. Click here for details and to apply.
Center for Safe Schools receives grant from Highmark Healthy High Five
The Highmark Foundation, through its Highmark Healthy High 5 initiative, recently announced a $2.3 million grant and a new partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Center for Safe Schools in an effort to address the issue of bullying. To learn more, read the full press release.
FBI releases a new report: Crime in Schools and Colleges: A Study of Offenders and Arrestees Reported via National Incident-Based Reporting System Data
This study examines characteristics of participants in criminal incidents at schools and colleges from 2000 through 2004 as reported to the FBI by law enforcement agencies. Data on crime in schools and colleges and the characteristics of those who commit these offenses can help inform the development of theories and applications to combat such crimes. The study is available online at http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/schoolviolence/2007/index.html
