Olweus Trainer Certification

Thank you for your interest in the PA CARES scholarship opportunity to attend the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) National Training for Certification. The scholarship application period is now closed. The selection of candidates for this OBPP trainer certification opportunity will be announced by Monday, February 15, 2010. Applicants not chosen for the scholarship, as well as individuals who did not apply for this scholarship opportunity, may still be able to attend this training at their own expense. Please visit the Clemson University website for more information: www.clemson.edu/bullyingprevention.

 

 

2010 Act Out Loud Contest

Teen drivers are facing more and more dangerous distractions as they drive. The texting while driving phenomena has emerged as one the most dangerous. As schools and communities search for effective education strategies, the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) is now offering funding to jumpstart projects and activities geared towards distracted driving prevention. For more information on this and other funding opportunities and resources, please visit the NOYS website at: www.actoutloud.org

 

 

Sprint Character Education Grant Program

Through the Sprint Character Education Grant Program, the Sprint Foundation will award grants to school districts and individual schools to fund the purchase of resource materials, supplies, equipment and software that facilitates and encourages character education among K-12 students. With a national reach, the program is open to all US public schools (K-12) and US public school districts.

The Sprint Character Education Grant program will accept applications for Character Education programs that promote youth leadership, youth volunteerism, school pride and a positive school culture.

Sprint Character Education Grant Program will award individual-school grants between $500 and $5,000 and school-district grants between $10,000 and $25,000.

Application Deadline: January 4 - February 5, 2010

For further information and to access the grant application please click here.

 

 

3rd Annual Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Leadership Summit

Common Roads, a project of the LGBT Center Coalition of Central Pennsylvania, and Dickinson College are pleased to present the 3rd Annual Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Leadership Summit. This Summit will be held from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM on Friday, February 26, 2010 at the Holland Union Building, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.

The GSA Leadership Summit is the only event of its kind in central Pennsylvania, where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and allied students and professionals have a day-long safe space to share stories, learn new skills, and work toward making central Pennsylvania a more welcoming place for all people!

Please click to access additional information about this event (PDF format)

 

 

What’s in your School Newspaper?

Does your school district have a process in place to verify advertisements in student publications, sports programs and similar publications? Last month, two high school newspapers (one in California, the other in Indiana) unknowingly ran an advertisement from an organization called Victory Forever, which states its purpose is to "disseminate white resistance music as widely as possible around the world." The incidents have angered some community members and have left educators wondering what they can do if they are victimized by false or misleading ads. 

For more information, please visit the eSchool News website at:  http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=62117

 

 

EPA ALERT on PCB in SCHOOLS

In recent years, EPA has learned that caulk containing potentially harmful polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was used in many buildings, including schools, in the 1950s through the 1970s. In general, schools and buildings built after 1978 do not contain PCBs in caulk.

On September 25, 2009, EPA announced new guidance for school administrators and building managers with important information about managing PCBs in caulk and tools to help minimize possible exposure.The EPA Schools Information Kit can be accessed at: http://www.epa.gov/pcbsincaulk/caulkschoolkit.htm

 

 

Anti-Drug Public Service Announcement Contest for Middle School

Drug Free PA and the PA National Guard Counterdrug Unit are partnering together for the Third Annual Sound Off! Public Service Announcement Contest. This contest, open to all middle school students in traditional schools, home schools, charter schools and cyber schools, provides 6th-8th grade students the chance to be creative and make their own Public Service Announcement (PSA) for either radio or television.

This year’s theme is “Don’t label me – We can all live drug free!” Visit www.counterdrug.org and click on any part of the center image to read the rules and regulations. Deadline for submission of the PSA’s is December 21, so hurry and join in. Only one submission per school is allowed. If you have more than one submission, have a contest within the school to pick the best of the best to represent your school in the finals. Winners will be announced in February 2010 and invited to attend Drug Free PA’s Annual Media Literacy Conference “Media Literacy and Its Impact on Substance Abuse”. The winning radio and TV ads will be used by Drug Free PA as their sole advertisement in media outlets across the state.

For additional information, please call Jeanne Troy, Director of Development and Communications at Drug Free PA, at 1 (800) 533-3394 or contact her by email at: troy@drugfreepa.org.

 

 

Living in the New Normal

The Center for Safe Schools and Mission Homefront are pleased to partner with the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) to offer a series of regionally-based professional development institutes in the 2009-2010 school year entitled Living in the New Normal: Supporting Children through Trauma and Loss (LINN). The free two-day LINN Institute is designed to provide educators, community professionals, family members and other concerned adults with information to help support military children in times of uncertainty, trauma and grief.

Click here for more information.

 

 

Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3)

The US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has information to assist schools with managing their chemicals.  Whether in elementary school maintenance closets or high school chemistry labs, schools use a variety of chemicals. When they are mismanaged, these chemicals can put students and school personnel at risk from spills, fires, and other accidental exposures. Chemical accidents disrupt school schedules, can injury to students and staff while potentially costing thousands of dollars to clean up.

The EPA’s Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3) aims to ensure that all schools are free from hazards associated with mismanaged chemicals. SC3 gives K-12 schools information and tools to responsibly manage chemicals. 

Check out the SC3 program at: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/sc3/index.htm

 

 

UnitedHealth HEROES Grants Support Youth-Led Innovative Solutions to Leading Health Threats

UnitedHealth Group and Youth Service America are offering children the opportunity to become "Health Heroes" by learning about childhood obesity, designing programs to address it, and implementing the programs in their communities. Schools and youth-focused community organizations can apply to work with youth ages 5-25 to come up with innovative projects to address childhood obesity in their communities. Grants will be awarded to applicants that demonstrate a clear understanding of the health risks associated with childhood obesity; propose creative solutions to combating obesity in their schools and communities; and can be easily implemented, scaled and measured.

Maximum award is $1,000 in support of service-learning projects that focus on childhood obesity, engage youth between the ages of 5 and 25 in the planning and implementation process, and take place during Semester of Service (MLK Day, January 18, to Global Youth Service Day, April 23-25, 2010). Eligibility: educators, service-learning coordinators, and students in the health professions. Deadline for applications is October 22, 2009.

Click here for more information.

 

 

Tests Reveal Dangers of Texting While Driving

There could be some upcoming changes to driver’s education curriculum as two recent studies draw more attention to the inherent peril of texting while driving. The following article discusses two separate studies that bring to light the severity of texting while driving. One study recently conducted by the Virginia Transportation Institute concluded that texting while driving leads to more crashes than previously thought, while a second study by Car and Driver magazine exhibited that texting while driving can be more hazardous than driving while intoxicated.

READ MORE

 

 

Smart Phones Go to School

In this technological age of smart phones, some schools are attempting to incorporate their use into classroom application. Although most schools have adopted a ban on cell phones, some schools are taking a different approach. The following article highlights the efforts of one school district to engage students academically with the use of technology in the form of PDAs. The anticipation is that there could be far reaching benefits including computer literacy and responsibility.

READ MORE

 

 

Bullying and Cyber-Bullying Featured in Latest Issue of The Challenge Newsletter

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools dedicated its most recent edition of The Challenge Newsletter to bullying and cyber-bullying, including the following topic areas: The School Bully in Cyberspace; Dr. Susan Limber Discusses Bullying in The Digital Age; What Can Schools Do About Cyber Bullying?; Empowering Students to Speak Up About Cyber Bullying; and Lawmakers Help Educators Take Aim at Cyber Bullying. The newsletter is found online and is available for download at: http://www.thechallenge.org/index.htm.

 

 

Readiness Series to Implement Comprehensive School Violence Programs

The Center for Safe Schools, through funding provided by Highmark Healthy High 5, an initiative of the Highmark Foundation, announces the availability of the Readiness Series to Implement Comprehensive School Violence Programs online course.

This course has been developed to provide individuals, school teams and districts with an overview of research findings and tools to help determine readiness for successful implementation and sustainability of comprehensive violence prevention programs. Examining needs, organizational structures and capacities, existing policies, overall climate and existing resources are all essential steps to be taken prior to selecting a systems-wide approach to improving school climate. Upon completion of this series, users will have a more in depth understanding of the necessity of attending to elements of readiness as part of ongoing school safety planning and youth violence prevention programming.

The Readiness Series is relevant to potential grant applicants, particularly those who may wish to apply for bullying prevention funding as part of the PA CARES initiative. The PA CARES (Creating an Atmosphere of Respect and Environment for Success) initiative, funded by the Highmark Foundation’s Healthy High 5 Initiative, offers schools within Highmark service regions the opportunity to apply for a mini-grant to implement the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP). Completion of the Readiness Series is a requirement of the PA CARES application process. A grant announcement for PA CARES Cohort 3 is expected to be released in late September 2009. School representatives are encouraged to complete the Readiness Series in advance of the application process.

The Readiness Series can be accessed by clicking here.

 

 

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Risk Vulnerability Assessment Team Security Assessment

TO: All LEAs
FROM: Mary I. Ramirez, Director, Bureau of Community and Student Services, Pennsylvania Department of Education

Please be reminded that if one of your schools has had a security assessment conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Risk Vulnerability Assessment Team from the Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security that the report should be considered confidential and access to the report's contents should be solely between the school district and PSP Team.

The PSP Team does not and will not share the report with anyone or any other agency.  The report is protected under Homeland Security Freedom of Information Act.  It is understood that you can share it internally as you desire.  Since the report contains detailed descriptions, photographs and a risk/threat analysis of your building's security vulnerabilities which, if made public, could pose a possible danger, school districts are strongly encouraged not to share the report with anyone outside the district.  This may result in the release-even if unintentional-of its sensitive contents.  If you receive requests for this report from an outside entity and have questions about releasing it, you may contact either the PSP Team or PDE safe school staff.

 

 

PEMA, Pennsylvania Department of Education Release School Emergency Planning Toolkit

July, 2009 - 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  

 

 

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.

 

 

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