As a result of the enthusiastic response that we have received for this year's Safe Schools Conference, we have reached capacity and we are no longer able to accept registrations. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.
We invite you to mark your calendar now for the 2009 Safe Schools Conference, May 4-6 , 2009 - Hilton Harrisburg.
The session descriptions below are provided for information only.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Keynote – 8:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
More information on the Keynote speaker, Ivan Juzang, can be found on the Keynote page.
Workshops – 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
A. The Stop & Think Social Skills Program
Howard M. Knoff, Director, Project ACHIEVE, Little Rock, AR
Social skills instruction correlates strongly with students’ interpersonal, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills and their academic engagement and success. The nationally known, evidence-based Stop & Think Social Skills Program is presented as an exemplar to discuss successful classroom management, increased student self-management and social competence and the relationship between social skills and academic achievement. The presentation emphasizes practical examples, the universal characteristics of effective social skill programs and the components of effective implementation.
B. Therapeutic Crisis Intervention
Brent Swope, Coordinator of Milieu and Behavior Management Training Program, Philhaven Behavioral Healthcare Services, Mt. Gretna, PA
Effectively managing and responding to behavioral crisis situations can be extremely challenging and complex for social service professionals. Therapeutic Crisis Intervention offers social service professionals and organizations a unique and empowering method for effectively preventing and managing behavioral crisis situations by helping children before, during and after a crisis situation occurs.
C. Protecting our Schools – Law Enforcement Response to Emergencies and School Violence
William White, Sergeant, Crime Section Supervisor, Pennsylvania State Police, Avondale, PA
This presentation will provide school administrators and teachers with a basic comprehension and differentiation as to the law enforcement response to emergencies on school property. The participants will understand the differences between bomb threats, suspicious packages, and other acts of violence on school property and the school district’s role in the law enforcement response. Knowing the differences in these types of situations will allow the participants to coordinate effectively with law enforcement, thereby expediting the response to emergencies.
D. Single School Culture
Stephanie Acri, Safe Schools Coordinator, Center for Safe Schools, Camp Hill, PA
Robert Cromley, Elementary Instructional Support Teacher, Bloomsburg Area School District, Bloomsburg, PA
Jennifer Fornwald, Elementary Teacher, Bloomsburg Area School District, Bloomsburg, PA
Michele Gannon, High School Teacher, Upper Darby School District, Drexel Hill, PA
Ann Kostiuk, Elementary Counselor, Bloomsburg Area School District, Bloomsburg, PA
Michael Kozup, Safe Schools Supervisor, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Harrisburg, PA
Kevin Magee, Assistant High School Principal, Upper Darby School District, , Drexel Hill, PA
This workshop will focus on the “Single School Culture” model. This model is a holistic approach to increasing academic performance by developing a stronger sense of school community. The approach is not a “program” but a method of organizing and running a school. The model begins with shared norms, beliefs, values and goals and results in agreed upon processes and procedures. A single school culture uses specific and consistent strategies to improve academics, discipline and school climate. Presenters will share their implementation models with conference participants and answer questions regarding the Single School Culture model.
E. Panel Discussion: Responding to Racial Tension in Schools
Keith Floyd, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Warwick School District, Lititz, PA
John George, Superintendent, Warwick School District, Lititz, PA
Jill Hackman, Director of Student Services, Warwick School District, Lititz, PA
Ben Lieu, Senior Conciliation Specialist, U.S. Department of Justice/Community Relations Service, Philadelphia, PA
Lisa Stewart, Project Director, No Place for Hate®, Anti-Defamation League, Philadelphia, PA
Ann Van Dyke, Assistant to the Director, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Harrisburg, PA
This panel discussion will focus on issues relative to changing demographics, racial and inter-group tension in our schools. The panel will present information on several promising programs, as well as provide many resources for participants to explore ways to make their schools welcoming and respectful for all students. Warwick School District will give a detailed overview of how they responded to a racial tension incident which made national news.
F. Effective Design & Use of Electronic Security Systems for Educational Facilities
Paul Benne, Security Specialist, Syska Hennessy Group, New York, NY
This program is intended to give school personnel a working knowledge of the correct design, procurement, and use of electronic security systems (CCTV, Access Control, Intrusion Detection) in an educational facility. Attendees will learn the legal guidelines and best practices for using video surveillance in an educational environment, as well as learn basic design principles of video surveillance, access control and alarm systems from the design and operation perspectives.
G. Administrators and School Resource Officers: Keeping Schools Safe
Henry Moore, Project Manager, Regional Community Policing Institute, Allentown, PA
This workshop will present the essential roles of the SRO: Law Enforcer, Problem Solver and Educator. Activities associated with each role will be discussed and the value of functioning in all three roles. Participants will discuss the Memorandum of Understanding and explore the context of the Administrator/SRO relationship, including communications and operations within and external to the school. Models for good program management and evaluation will be presented.
H. Restoring School Civility
Philip Vincent, Director, Character Development Group, Inc., Greensboro, NC
The act of restoring school civility is not another program added on the plate of educators. Rather, it is the plate on which all else is placed. Join Dr. Vincent as he describes how schools can change their climate as well as the social and academic motivation of their students via the development of practices to develop habits of civility, the use of the curriculum and finally serving others in the school and community.
I. Curriculum and Instruction: The Connection Between Safe Schools and Learning Schools
Stephanie Robinson, Principal Partner Emeritus, The Education Trust, Inc., Washington, DC
Students are less likely to exhibit behavior problems in schools where they are engaged in and achieving success through challenging academic tasks. There are schools where students are being challenged and are on task, despite an outside environment that is dangerous and unwelcoming. Schools exist to educate students and everyone in the school community. Cafeteria workers, bus drivers and school safety workers must understand, support and implement policies and practices that demonstrate effectiveness in closing achievement gaps and raising achievement for all students. This presentation will provide data that links positive student behavior with academic success and provide examples of policies and practices that are conducive to academic success for all students.
J. What School Personnel Must Know to be Safe, Secure and Successful
Bernie Hoffman, Chief Consultant on Risk Issues to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Philadelphia, PA
In this workshop, participants will learn new and updated information on what they must know to be safe, secure and successful as they guard the health, welfare and safety of their students and staff. Topics such as zero tolerance policies, search and seizure, confidentiality, deliberate indifference, shocking the conscience, forcibility, internet “do’s” and “don’ts” and off-campus behavior will be addressed. Recent court decisions that effect school safety will be highlighted.
Workshops – 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
A. The Stop & Think Social Skills Program
Repeat of the 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. session
B. Therapeutic Crisis Intervention
Repeat of the 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. session
C. Protecting our Schools – Law Enforcement Response to Emergencies and School Violence
Repeat of the 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. session
D. Cyberbullying
Charles Balogh, Community Service Officer/Director of Precious Metals, Luzerne County, District Attorney's Office, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Posting provocative pictures and videos of their peers and making threats are just a few of the cyberbullying techniques students are using to target other students. Parents, educators, law enforcement officers and other community partners are challenged with the task of working together to educate youth about the serious repercussions of this behavior via today's technology. All forms of bullying behavior will be examined and prevention strategies will be provided.
E. Responding to School Crisis: Principles of Psychological First Aid
Patricia A. Homan, Director, PATHways Center for Grief and Loss, Lancaster, PA
School personnel often feel ill-equipped to know what to say and how to respond in times of crisis and stress. This workshop will address the care, comfort and support needed when a school crisis occurs. Having participated in numerous community crises both nationally and locally, the presenter’s examples will address the personal, professional and organizational impact of community crisis. Participants will gain insights that will enhance their knowledge and comfort level in providing psychological first aid in stressful situations.
F. Effective Design & Use of Electronic Security Systems for Educational Facilities
Repeat of the 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. session
G. Identifying and Responding to the Needs of Students at Risk for School Failure
Stacy Kalamaros Skalski, Director of Public Policy, National Association of School Psychologists, Bethesda, MD
This session will focus on identifying and responding to the academic, social-emotional and behavioral needs of students at risk for school failure. Participants will learn how to use school information systems and other existing school data, such as the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), to screen for and identify at-risk students. This session will also address how data can be used to help create responsive intervention programs and policies that increase positive student outcomes.
H. Restoring School Civility
Repeat of the 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. session
I. Curriculum and Instruction: The Connection Between Safe Schools and Learning Schools
Repeat of the 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. session
J. Critical Incident Preparedness: Managing School Disruptions and Violence
Ben Lieu, Senior Conciliation Specialist, United States Department of Justice, Community Relations Service, Philadelphia, PA
This session will provide information on best practices in preparing for and monitoring the ever-changing school environment to identify and address areas of concern for students before they become critical flashpoints. Areas covered will include: addressing cultural diversity issues; increasing communications between students, administrators, community and police; and developing an effective youth advocacy program.
Workshops – 2:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
A. Vulnerability Assessments of School Security
Shawn Mell, Trooper, Pennsylvania State Police, Harrisburg, PA
Participants in this workshop will be encouraged to identify and discuss vulnerabilities found in schools and what actions can be taken to mitigate weaknesses to enhance the overall security of schools across the Commonwealth. The presentation will focus on physical security, policies and procedures and the threats against schools. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss their security concerns and provide input to assist Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Teams in the development of recommendations for school security standards.
B. From the Mouths of Babes: Listening to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Questioning Youth
Michelle Simmons, Executive Director, Common Roads, Inc , Harrisburg, PA
Participants in this workshop will learn first-hand from LGBTQ youth about their experiences of harassment and intolerance in school and their view on how to improve school climate for LGBTQ youth. Panelists will identify issues and provide recommendations to ensure safe and welcoming learning environments for all students.
C. Pandemic Response
Rosemary Moyer, State School Health Consultant, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Harrisburg, PA
This presentation will be a discussion of the process for schools to plan their response to a pandemic influenza situation. Discussion topics include: who should be part of the planning, the four phases of planning and the resources necessary to implement planning for each phase. The presentation will include a tour of the Pandemic Planning Toolkit for schools with an overview of the resources and time to explore the available tools.
D. Cyberbullying
Repeat of the 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. session
E. Responding to School Crisis: Principles of Psychological First Aid
Repeat of the 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. session
F. Kids Who Set Fires
Paul Reichenbach, Public Education Information Specialist, Office of the State Fire Commissioner, Harrisburg, PA
This presentation focuses on the pervasive and incredibly destructive problem of juvenile firesetting. Because the general public and many professionals know little about juvenile firesetting activity and its consequences, this presentation will feature the Commonwealth’s comprehensive approach to juvenile firesetter intervention based on a multidisciplinary concept to provide education to the general public and professionals on the subject of juvenile firesetting and to provide intervention in the form of fire safety education and mental health counseling and/or treatment.
G. Identifying and Responding to the Needs of Students at Risk for School Failure
Repeat of the 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. session
H. Special Needs Population in Crisis Situations
Margie Bates, School Social Worker, Upper Darby School District, Drexel Hill, PA
Lou Gentile, Senior Safety Officer, Upper Darby School District, Drexel Hill, PA
As part of its Emergency Response Crisis Management federal grant, Upper Darby School District completed an assessment of the unique challenges faced by our special needs populations during an emergency. Critical populations included autistic and non-English speaking students. Based on input from staff, first responders and families, best practices were identified, implemented and evaluated. Sustainable improvements that will be discussed include ongoing training and collaboration with first responders.
I. Promoting Healthy Development through Raising Healthy Children
Dorothy Ghylin-Bennett, Social Development Research Group, University of Washington School of Social Work Seattle, Seattle, WA
Ken Grace, Principal, Chestnut Ridge Elementary School, New Paris, PA
Lyn Skillington, Coordinator, Unified Family Services Systems, Everett, PA
Raising Healthy Children is an evidence-based social development approach to positive youth development that is being implemented in all Bedford County elementary schools through a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The effort is a partnership between the county’s collaborative board and all Bedford County school districts. Participants in this session will learn about the research behind this model, as well as the various components that promote strong connections to school and family, support social and emotional development and improve academic achievement – outcomes that last far beyond the student’s elementary school years.
J. What School Personnel Must Know to be Safe, Secure and Successful
Repeat of the 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. session