Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth Conference:
Preparing Students for Lifelong Academic and Social Success

October 7 - 8, 2009 - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Plan now to attend the Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth Conference in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania at the Eisenhower Hotel and Convention Center on October 7 - 8, 2009.

The conference will provide research based tools, strategies and resources for administrators, teachers and counselors to strengthen and support the academic and social success of students in Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth programs.

• Resiliency and Wellness Approach
• Behavior/Academic Assessments and Performance Data Requirements
• Effective Counseling Theory and Practices
• Periodic Review of Student Progress and Student Transition
• Preparing Students for Workforce and Lifelong Learning
• Research and Best Practices in Student Academic and Social Success
• Effective Teaching Practices in Alternative Education

This conference is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in partnership with the Center for Safe Schools.

Please check back for conference details. Registration will be available in mid-July.

 

PEMA, Pennsylvania Department of Education Release School Emergency Planning Toolkit

Text of July 2 press release.

HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and state Department of Education announced today that the "All-Hazards" School Safety Planning Toolkit is now available for schools, school districts and emergency responders in Pennsylvania.

The planning toolkit includes essential resources, such as legal citations, guidelines and other reference material, to help plan for all types of emergencies and disasters, whether natural or man-made.

The kit is available at www.pema.state.pa.us. There, click on "Forms and Documents" and then "Plans, Guides and Presentations."

"We want to provide every resource possible for our schools and districts to provide a safe and secure learning environment for their students," said Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak. "We know that students excel when they're in a safe and positive climate, which enables them to reach their full academic potential and become productive members of our workforce."

"This toolkit is an invaluable resource that can be a starting point to open an emergency preparedness discussion with local emergency officials," said Robert P. French, PEMA director. "That cooperation between schools and their local emergency management agency and first responders facilitates the development of an effective and thorough emergency preparedness plan that keeps students and faculty safe, as well as first responders who are called to an incident."

The toolkit was developed by a team of personnel from PEMA and Department of Education, as well as the Center for Safe Schools, Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, South Central PA Task Force, participating schools and intermediate units, and private citizens.

Additional school safety and security resources can be found at PDE's Web site at www.pde.state.pa.us.

Information about emergency preparedness for citizens and businesses is available online at www.ReadyPA.org.

 

 

H1N1- Vaccination Alert

On Tuesday, June 16th 2009, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urged school superintendents  to prepare for the possibility that schools would be used  as vaccination points for H1N1-Novel A (swine flu) vaccinations this fall.  Sebelius told The Associated Press "If you think about vaccinating kids, schools are the logical place”.  

For more information on this topic click here.

For the latest Novel H1N1 Flu Situation Update from the CDC link to http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm  

 

 

Twenty-First Annual Mid-Atlantic Addiction Research and Training Institute Summer School: High-Risk Children*, Families, and Behavioral Health

(*Of all ages... Children - Adolescents - Adults)

July 13 to 17, 2009
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana, Pennsylvania

Presentations by national experts will include the latest information on treatment for young children, improving school-based programs, working with adolescents, sexual abuse intervention, improving cultural competency, adult recovery strategies, anger and violence, building resiliency in children, and many other exciting topics.

To receive a brochure and registration information call or e-mail Crystal Deemer at the MARTI Office at (724) 357-4405 or cdeemer@iup.edu or visit the website.

 

International Bullying Prevention Association
6th Annual Conference 
November 16-18, 2009 | Omni William Penn Hotel
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hope For A More Peaceful World 
This conference will provide the latest research and evidence-based best practices for identifying, correcting and preventing bullying and cyberbullying. Make your plans now to network with bullying prevention professionals and researchers from around the world. 
Please check back for conference details. Registration will be available in mid-July. 
For more information about IBPA, please visit:http://www.stopbullyingworld.org/2009Conference/RFP.htm

Conference presenting sponsor is Highmark Healthy High 5, an initiative of the Highmark Foundation. The conference is presented in partnership by the International Bullying Prevention Association, the Center for Safe Schools and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

To download a save-the-date PDF, click here.

 

School Resource Officer Training

The 40 Hour Basic School Resource Officer Course is open to school resource officers, administrators, school security persons and related school safety workers. This course is also recommended for School Administrators, DARE Officers, School Resource Officers, School Security Professionals and School Probation Officers. This course is designed to provide the newer school based police officer with insight and skills for functioning in the educational setting. Participants will attend numerous mini-workshops on a variety of school based topics, including Special Education, Homeland Security for Schools, Community Oriented Policing Concepts, School Crisis Planning, SRO/Administrator relations, mentoring students, instructional techniques.

Cost $395.

Program Dates: June 22-26, 2009 at North Monto Technical Career School

Additional Contact: Dr. Dawn LeBlanc, e-mail: dleblanc@nmtcc.org, Principal NMTCC, 215-368-1177 ext. 110

Registration: School Safety Advocacy Council’s Website – www.schoolsafety911.com

 

Face Paints Recalled

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers to stop using certain cosmetic "Face Paint" items labeled as distributed by Oriental Trading Co., Omaha, Neb., due to adverse event reports of skin reactions in children. These items were distributed nationwide. FDA Alerts Consumers to Recall of Water-Based Face Paints (May 12). This item is posted since many schools conduct May Fairs and other seasonal activities that may involve the use of these products.

 

2009 Governor’s Institute for Educators

The 2009 Governor’s Institute for Educators: Improving Academic Success Through Positive School Culture will be held July 26 – July 31, 2009 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.

Click here for more information.

 

Training News

FEMA has recently launched several new training programs. Of particular interest to our Pennsylvania schools that have been designated as a POD (Point of Distribution) is the IS-26 Guide to Points of Distribution program.

• IS-836 Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex New 3/26/2009
• IS-26 Guide to Points of Distribution New 3/20/2009
• IS-197.EM Special Needs Planning Considerations for Emergency Management New 3/20/2009
• IS-100.HE Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100, for Higher Education New 3/18/2009

 

University of Pittsburgh School of Education Launches School-based Behavioral Health Web Site That Promotes the Behavioral Health and Safety of Children and Adolescents

The University of Pittsburgh School of Education has launched a School-based Behavioral Health (SBBH) Web site, www.sbbh.pitt.edu, to promote the behavioral health of children and adolescents by providing resources for children and teens who face emotional and behavioral challenges, their families, and the professionals who counsel them.

The effort is a collaboration of faculty and students from the School of Education’s Applied Developmental Psychology Program and its institutional partners, including the Pittsburgh Public Schools, the Highmark Foundation, the Watson Institute, and the Staunton Farm Foundation.

Pitt applied developmental psychology faculty and students developed many of the Web site’s available resources, which are categorized for families, youth, and professionals. Families can find information to help understand the behavioral health challenges of a loved one, and youth can learn about emotional and behavioral disorders that they, friends, or family members may be facing. The site provides health care providers with various professional development resources.

Information on mental health disorders is presented on the SBBH Web site in the form of brochures, handouts, handbooks, forms, newsletters, and slide presentations and podcasts with accompanying study guides.

 

Protecting Kids Online Video Wins Prestigious Award

HARRISBURG -- A special video designed to educate parents, caregivers and youngsters about Internet safety issues, including cyber-bullying and online predators, has earned a bronze Telly Award in the film and video category.

The Telly Awards, given out after a highly respected national and international competition, honor outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions. More than 14,000 entries are received each year from all 50 states and many foreign countries.

The award-winning DVD, "Protecting Our Kids Online," was unveiled at the 2008 Safe School Conference earlier this year. The DVD was a collaborative effort between the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Funding for the video was provided by PCCD and supported by the Center for Schools and Communities/Center for Safe Schools.

DVDs were sent to public and private schools across Pennsylvania, as well as intermediate units. In addition, more than 500 law enforcement offices in the state have received training in the Protecting Our Kids Online initiative.

To view the video online, visit www.center-school.org/pko/.

For more information about PCCD and the commission's other services and programs, visit www.pccd.state.pa.us.

 

Changes to Fingerprinting Procedures

As of December 1, 2008, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) began using new procedures for obtaining federal criminal history background checks of prospective public school and private school employees and their contractors. The new process does not change the basic provisions of the law regarding who is required to have a federal criminal history background check.

The process to be followed for applicants to be fingerprinted will not change, however, the process for access to CHRI reports have changed. Under the old system, CHRI reports were mailed to the applicant by PDE. The applicant / prospective employee then submited a copy of the CHRI report with his or her employment application.

Under the new system, PDE provides access to CHRI records online to approved hiring entities – public and private schools- via a secure web site. Applicants fingerprinted on or after December 1, 2008 will no longer receive the CHRI record from PDE to submit with an employment application, however, applicants may request an unofficial paper copy of the CHRI record.

The Cogent fingerprint registration site can still be accessed via https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_pde.htm

 

State Officials Unveil Tool to Protect Children Against Online Dangers

HARRISBURG – A new resource to help teach Pennsylvania children how to remain safe while using the Internet was unveiled at the 2008 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/.

The 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.

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

 

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/.

 

PA CARES Grant Funding for Olweus Bullying Prevention Program in 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 for Pennsylvania schools to address the serious issue of bullying.

The Center for Safe Schools administers an initiative called PA CARES (Creating an Atmosphere of Respect and Environment for Success). This initiative helps schools implement the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) to address bullying and provide safe and nurturing learning environments. The Olweus program is an evidence-based intervention known to reduce bullying behaviors in schools and is one of only 11 'Blueprints for Violence Prevention' Model Programs.

For information about PA CARES, click here.

Questions about the Olweus Program:
Stacie Molnar-Main, Special Projects Consultant,
Center for Safe Schools
Phone: 717-763-1661 ext. 128
or by e-mail at: smolnar-main@csc.csiu.org