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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Campus Safety, Risk Management, School Safety

  Unfortunately, many people do not know the differences between security and safety because so many security solutions have been misrepresented or misunderstood. For over 30 years, I have had the privilege to assist thousands of organizations with multiple security related technologies, services, vendors and solutions.  For the most part, Security related efforts are understood by most people because security efforts are focused primarily at REACTING to a risk or threat at your front door and/or REACTING to an incident or tragedy in progress.  For example, security related efforts include, but are not limited to, doors/locks (to keep people/threats out), cameras (to record threats atRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, School Safety

  The discussion on school safety is being held at every school and community across the Nation.  The end goal is the same, ensuring the safety of every young child and staff member within the school.  But, how we get there is up for debate. One of the most common solutions being offered by many is to implement armed security guards or provide weapons to teachers/staff – after all as the NRA said, the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. However, even good guys with guns can sometimes inadvertently lead to dangerous situations asRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, School Safety

  Which is more valuable, research-based evidence or real-time/results-based evidence?   Let’s start with a definition of each:   Research-based evidence – The term evidence-based is often in the educational and psychological literature as the level of evidence that supports the efficacy, generality, and use of a practice as indicated by research and usually includes the research of groups of individuals over-time and trending over-time.   Real-Time/Results-based evidence – measured in real-time based on results at the organizational level and based on results at the individual level   Research-based evidence relating to bullying, cyberbullying, sexual assaults, suicides and many other student safety related incidents canRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Campus Safety, Risk Management, School Safety

  As a follow-up to our previous blog, I wanted to share some real-world solutions that are helping schools proactively PREVENT. Proactive prevention starts with empowering and equipping students, families, teachers, churches and other community members [like all the people coming forward now who observed “concerning behaviors” with this disconnected young man in Newtown, CT] with the right tools to anonymously or non-anonymously report incidents, concerning behaviors and signs of evil before the evil builds and escalates into a tragedy.  Prevention is possible and prevention is very affordable. A lot of time, money and resources are spent on reactive security equipment, plans and training, yetRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Risk Management, School Safety

  The evil that showed up at the front door of Sandy Hook Elementary School was horrible, morally unbelievable and extremely scary. Most everyone is wondering how this could happen? How could this 20 year old kid be so full of evil that he would murder young innocent children, innocent adults and his own mother? We are hearing and seeing a lot of reactions – emotional reactions mostly – to this evil and horrible incident. Emotional reactions are clearly justified as we are all human, especially when young innocent children are murdered and threatened. We are hearing emotional reactions focused at guns. We are hearingRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Incident Reporting, Risk Management, School Safety

  Bullying.  Cyberbullying.  Harassment.  Violence.  Weapons. Truancy.  Student Achievement.  While most school leaders want to focus their attention on the last item mentioned in that list, student achievement, school districts are finding themselves overwhelmed with school safety issues and constantly working to investigate and respond to situations, leaving fewer and fewer resources to improve learning and achievement. So, what can be done to improve student safety and prevention efforts, and in turn, provide students with an environment they feel secure in to excel and expand their learning objectives? In many situations, gaps exist between school administrators and policy, and what is actually happening on buses,Read More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Risk Management, School Safety

  Did you see the video of the 68 year-old Bus Monitor getting bullied and abused by students? This incident has received attention from across the nation with support pouring in for the bus monitor. But, perhaps what is more important is the lessons we learn from this incident to help prevent future situations from escalating. Do School Administrators have any clue as to what is happening to Bus Monitors and Bus Drivers on their buses? How many other Bus Monitors and Bus Drivers is this happening to? Why are Bus Monitors and Bus Drivers not properly trained with the right information on how toRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Campus Safety, Emergency Management, Incident Reporting, Risk Management, School Safety

  Did you see the recent report from the Center for American Progress?  The report estimates that the Virginia Tech tragedy cost the university and taxpayers $ 48.2 million.  And this cost does not include the “costs” associated with the loss of lives and lives that were changed forever. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and I hope all school and university administrators are paying close attention to this wisdom and this new report. According to the report, the university was responsible for most of the costs – $ 38.77 million – and the state of Virginia paid around $ 8.87Read More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Campus Safety, School Safety

  Time is our greatest asset, time is limited and we all have the same amount of time. What we do with the time we have is critical to each of us and to those around us too.  And unlike movies, cartoons and commercials…in real life we cannot go back in time. We cannot go back in time and listen to an at-risk student that committed suicide.  We cannot go back in time and prevent bullying or cyberbullying that already took place. We cannot go back in time and prevent violence, drug abuse and sexual assaults that already took place. We cannot go back inRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, School Safety

  Awareity is proud to announce that one of our very own TIPS Administrators was awarded the LGBTQIA Educator of the Year Award at last weekend’s CESCaL conference! Below is an excerpt from Tenna’s nomination: Some of the greatest leaders in history find opportunities for helping others during times of adversity. Tenna Whitsel is one of these great leaders. As the Student Services Coordinator for Secondary Schools at Tulsa Public Schools (TPS), Tenna sees daily the tremendous challenges students, personnel, parents and communities are facing in building and maintaining a safe learning environment.  Tenna has been a champion of student and human rights in theRead More →