Keeping Our Children Safe: Strategies for Schools and Communities

The 2005 Safe Schools Conference, “Keeping Our Children Safe: Strategies for Schools and Communities”, was held at the Hilton Harrisburg and Towers in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on May 2 - 4, 2005.

The Safe Schools Conference was offered to educators, school officials and law enforcement officers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with the goal of bringing together all constituent groups to learn about the latest research in school safety and violence prevention.

This year’s Safe Schools Conference was a resounding success with over 620 professionals, representing more than 248 administrators, over 80 teachers and counselors and more than 30 law enforcement officers in attendance. The U.S. and Pennsylvania Departments of Education, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the Pennsylvania State Police were represented.

The conference featured day-long institutes on Monday followed by an opening reception and dinner. During the reception and dinner, guests were treated to the delightful sounds of talented student musicians from the Lower Dauphin High School Tri-M String Quartet and the Williamsport Area School District’s “Millionaire Strolling Strings”. Attendees received an uplifting keynote address from Dr. Crystal A. Kuykendall. Dr. Kuykendall described how all teachers and school administrators have the power to influence children’s lives in a positive way. She encouraged everyone to become “merchants of hope” and to never give up on the children that we serve.

On Tuesday, attendees were offered 30 specialized workshops on a diverse range of topics focusing on school safety and violence prevention strategies. During lunch, attendees were moved by a powerful student presentation of the play “Bang! Bang! You’re Dead” performed by Lebanon High School students.

Following closing remarks by Lynn M. Cromley, Director, Center for Safe Schools, a keynote address was given by Dr. Thomas Lickona, Director, Center for the 4th and 5th Rs. Drawing from his recent book entitled, “Character Matters”, Dr. Lickona shared strategies for creating schools of character. His presentation focused on getting staff, students, and parents all working together to teach respect, responsibility, and other essential virtues.

The 2005 Safe Schools Conference was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Center for Safe Schools/Center for Schools and Communities.