Monday May 2, 2005
All-day Institutes 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Providing a Safe Learning Environment for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Youth
Instructor: Bianca Cody Murphy, Professor of Psychology, Wheaton College,Boston, MA

This institute is designed for professionals who work directly with students including: SAP team members, mental health/drug and alcohol liaisons, school counselors, social workers and psychologists as well as for teachers and administrators to help them in their work with GLBT students. Participants will become acquainted with basic information on homosexuality and discuss issues specific to sexual minority youth. A list of resources will be provided on adolescents and sexuality including professional literature, media resources, and helpful websites. Learn how to make a safer and more welcoming environment in schools.

Incident Management for Schools
Instructor: Joseph Rupe, Jr., Program Manager, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), Harrisburg, PA

What is the National Incident Management System (NIMS)? How will it affect your school? What is required? This statute will answer these questions and familiarize the participants with the NIMS mandate. Information will be provided on adopting and implementing the NIMS requirements into your school and district emergency plan.

2005 & Beyond: What Educators Need to Know About Laws, Regulations, Procedures and Providing a Safe Learning Environment
Instructor: Bernard Hoffman, Consultant, PA Department of Education, Philadelphia, PA

Participants will be introduced to the connection between understanding policies, regulations, procedures, and legal implications and school safety. Through examples, case reviews, legislation, court decisions, and best practices participants will have their roles and responsibilities made clear to them. Strategies will be given on how to ensure that you continue as a successful educator by making effective decisions and taking appropriate actions in order to provide a safe learning environment.

Contemporary Issues: Crisis Intervention/Management
Instructor: Mark Lepore, School Social Worker/Adjunct Faculty-Chatham College - California University of PA, Baldwin-Whitehall School District, Pittsburgh, PA

This institute will examine critical issues in today’s communities and schools. Participants will learn problem management, effective crisis intervention, and conflict resolution strategies including the process of critical incident stress debriefing. It will investigate the principles and systematic approaches used to identify substance and treat substance abuse and addiction. It will also provide positive prevention strategies for school and community educators to use in their individual settings.

Children feel they belong when they know they can make a real contribution. They have ownership, motivation, and enthusiasm when they are included in decisions. You will be surprised what you learn, and it doesn’t cost a dime. By using encouragement to promote “belongingness” the desire to misbehave is eliminated.

Technology Law Update
Instructor: Dorothy Bollinger, Attorney, Fox Rothschild LLP, Lansdale, PA

This institute will focus on the legal aspects of the Internet, computers and information technology. Participants will be provided with information on the laws that are relevant to cybersecurtiy, cyberprivacy and online information risks relevant to students.

How School Climate Variables Affect Students
Instructor: Crystal Kuykendall, President, Kreative & Innovative Resources for Kids, Inc., Potomac, MD

The Presenter will share information and insight on the causes of student violence, underachievement, underperformance, apathy, anger, alienation and rage. Conferees will receive ideas and strategies to assist them in meeting student needs, developing a climate conducive to student achievement and implementing activities which can improve school safety. Importantly, conferees will receive insight on how to remove school related obstacles which preclude efforts to deal effectively with diversity.

Protecting Kids Online - This institute is only open to Sworn Law Enforcement Officers
Instructors: Rodney Manning, Commander of the Community and Special Services Section, Bureau of Training and Education at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, Hershey, PA
Mary Dolan, Safe Schools Coordinator, Center for Schools and Communities, Camp Hill, PA
Michael Bookser, Chief, Bellevue Borough Police Department, Pittsburgh, PA

This institute will offer a professional development opportunity to sworn law enforcement officers to be trained in Pennsylvania’s “Protecting Kids Online” Internet safety program.