Its almost back to school time. We are sure many of you are eager to get your schools ready for the return of students and staff.
Your outdoor spaces might be the last place you may think about making safe. However, these spaces are just as crucial as your indoor spaces.
Check out this informational piece on playground safety: ASBJ's "State of Play"
http://www.asbj.com/MainMenuCategory/Archive/2010/August/Making-Playgrounds-Safe-and-Secure.aspx
Friday, August 6, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Does Your District Have an Effective Plan to Handle IED/Bomb Threats?
As student violence and unpredictability grows on today’s school campuses, it’s important that school officials have developed and implemented effective crisis plans to protect students and staff in the event of emergencies.
During ASBO’s conference in Orlando, Florida on Friday, September 24, 2010, Steve Saltsman, Captain of the Bomb Squad for the Columbus Fire Department and Tom Strasburger, Vice President of PublicSchoolWORKS, will present a unique learning opportunity for school administrators for preparing effective responses to IED and bomb threats. The discussion will include ideas for training, what to consider, who to involve and other topics.
Because of domestic terrorism and international terrorism events across the world, IED has become a household term. Captain Saltsman will explain training and techniques for schools when dealing with bomb threats and other IED issues. Bomb threats in schools have increased over the past decade and cannot be taken lightly. This discussion will include a basic history of Bomb Threats, explosives, and Improvised Explosive Devices; how they work, along with how and where to look for them.
In turn, Tom Strasburger will explain the offerings of PublicSchoolWORKS which puts programs in place for students and staff to anonymously report suspicious activities before they have detrimental results.
Make sure to catch this informative and explosive presentation.
See you at the show!
Presentation Information:
Title: Bomb Threat & IED Response to Schools: The Importance of Planning for Effective Communication, WS168
Track: Ancillary Services
Time: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Location/Room: Workshop 08
CEUs: 0.3
During ASBO’s conference in Orlando, Florida on Friday, September 24, 2010, Steve Saltsman, Captain of the Bomb Squad for the Columbus Fire Department and Tom Strasburger, Vice President of PublicSchoolWORKS, will present a unique learning opportunity for school administrators for preparing effective responses to IED and bomb threats. The discussion will include ideas for training, what to consider, who to involve and other topics.
Because of domestic terrorism and international terrorism events across the world, IED has become a household term. Captain Saltsman will explain training and techniques for schools when dealing with bomb threats and other IED issues. Bomb threats in schools have increased over the past decade and cannot be taken lightly. This discussion will include a basic history of Bomb Threats, explosives, and Improvised Explosive Devices; how they work, along with how and where to look for them.
In turn, Tom Strasburger will explain the offerings of PublicSchoolWORKS which puts programs in place for students and staff to anonymously report suspicious activities before they have detrimental results.
Make sure to catch this informative and explosive presentation.
See you at the show!
Presentation Information:
Title: Bomb Threat & IED Response to Schools: The Importance of Planning for Effective Communication, WS168
Track: Ancillary Services
Time: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Location/Room: Workshop 08
CEUs: 0.3
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Are We Missing the Signs of Fraud in our Schools?
There is more pressure than ever on teachers to meet district requirements and ensure that students meet standards. So much so that some educators would even risk his or her job if it meant a raise. This type of behavior is a growing trend that leaves our students as victims and our districts with a huge social issue: Fraud.
Recently the staff of Normany Crossing Elementary, outside Houston, eagerly awaited the results of their state achievement test this spring. For administrators higher scores would mean stellar rankings in the state, for 5th grade math & science teachers impeccable scores would equal bonuses upwards of $2,850.
When test results were tallied the scores were even higher than expected. Many in the community thought the outcomes were too good to be true, so an investigation began into the recent testing that had taken place. After the investigation began, the principal, assistant principal and three teachers resigned because of this horrific scandal over test tampering.
Come to find out educators in the district had compiled a detailed study guide on the state science test. However they didn't just rip open the booklet and copy the questions-they 'tubed' it which means they squeezed a test booklet without breaking the paper seal, to form a tube so they could just see the information in the guide and not get caught. Why not spend your time teaching and not think of ways to cheat the system? You might also be thinking this must be an isolated incident, but investigations in Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, Virginia among other places have encountered similar incidents of cheating by educators.
Recently the staff of Normany Crossing Elementary, outside Houston, eagerly awaited the results of their state achievement test this spring. For administrators higher scores would mean stellar rankings in the state, for 5th grade math & science teachers impeccable scores would equal bonuses upwards of $2,850.
When test results were tallied the scores were even higher than expected. Many in the community thought the outcomes were too good to be true, so an investigation began into the recent testing that had taken place. After the investigation began, the principal, assistant principal and three teachers resigned because of this horrific scandal over test tampering.
Come to find out educators in the district had compiled a detailed study guide on the state science test. However they didn't just rip open the booklet and copy the questions-they 'tubed' it which means they squeezed a test booklet without breaking the paper seal, to form a tube so they could just see the information in the guide and not get caught. Why not spend your time teaching and not think of ways to cheat the system? You might also be thinking this must be an isolated incident, but investigations in Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, Virginia among other places have encountered similar incidents of cheating by educators.
Are higher test scores attained with cheating ever worth the worst case scenario outcome IF and WHEN you get caught? Does anyone else see that we are cheating our students out of an education to win bonuses? Lets get it right we aren't helping our students. This is one of the most selfish acts of adult behaviors against our education system that is already struggling to keep a vast amount of students at grade level.
If this district had a fraud system in place, an administrator or fellow teacher could have put their foot down to stop the reckless behavior. With PublicSchoolWORKS Fraud Reporting System staff could have anonymously reported behaviors and alerted staff to the cheating.
Don't let fraud go unnoticed in your district and remember fraud doesn't just get committed in the accounting office.
Story Courtesy: New York Times
Read all the details here:
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Teen Beaten at School Remains in Coma
The mother of Josie Lou Ratley said her daughter can open her eyes and move her limbs but is still in a drug-induced coma.
Ratley has been in the coma since March 17, when police say Deerfield Beach High School student Wayne Treacy rode his bicycle over to Deerfield Beach Middle and attacked Ratley in the bus-loading area.
Since then, Ratley’s story has attracted national attention and an outpouring of support — and has unleashed worries about safety at schools.
In response to concerns, PublicSchoolWORKS has launched a comprehensive online bullying and violence prevention program for school district staff and students. The program aims to help schools ensure that staff and students are properly trained on how to prevent and report incidents of bullying and violence.
The program includes online training for staff and students on bullying prevention, violence prevention and a 24/7 online and telephone system for reporting incidents of bullying or violence.
To learn more about PSW's online bullying and violence prevention program, please contact sales@publicschoolworks.com or call 513.631.6111.
Source: The Miami Herald
Ratley has been in the coma since March 17, when police say Deerfield Beach High School student Wayne Treacy rode his bicycle over to Deerfield Beach Middle and attacked Ratley in the bus-loading area.
Since then, Ratley’s story has attracted national attention and an outpouring of support — and has unleashed worries about safety at schools.
In response to concerns, PublicSchoolWORKS has launched a comprehensive online bullying and violence prevention program for school district staff and students. The program aims to help schools ensure that staff and students are properly trained on how to prevent and report incidents of bullying and violence.
The program includes online training for staff and students on bullying prevention, violence prevention and a 24/7 online and telephone system for reporting incidents of bullying or violence.
To learn more about PSW's online bullying and violence prevention program, please contact sales@publicschoolworks.com or call 513.631.6111.
Source: The Miami Herald
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Minneapolis School District Remains on Lockdown After Threats
The Minneapolis School District locked down all 60 of its buildings today after discovering someone threatened to shoot up a Minneapolis school and then end their own life.
The threat was found on two social networking sites, including Facebook, on Wednesday morning. It said the shooting would happen around 9:30 a.m.
Minneapolis schools were placed on "code yellow" status all day Wednesday, which means they were locked down but still observing normal student routines.
As a precautionary measure, the schools will stay on lockdown all day today. That means students will stay indoors and the school buildings' exterior doors will remain locked.
Police say the Web threat that led to a lockdown of all Minneapolis public schools on Wednesday could have come from Australia.
The suspect who allegedly made the threat hasn't been in the United States in seven years, so police believe this is a prank but are continuing to look into it.
St. Paul Public Schools are not in lock down. However, some schools have tightened security as a precaution.
You can ensure that your staff is trained on effective violence prevention strategies, as well as your district’s lockdown procedures, with the EmployeeSafe Suite. Contact PublicSchoolWORKS at sales@publicschoolworks.com for more information about this program.
Story taken from www.wcco.com.
The threat was found on two social networking sites, including Facebook, on Wednesday morning. It said the shooting would happen around 9:30 a.m.
Minneapolis schools were placed on "code yellow" status all day Wednesday, which means they were locked down but still observing normal student routines.
As a precautionary measure, the schools will stay on lockdown all day today. That means students will stay indoors and the school buildings' exterior doors will remain locked.
Police say the Web threat that led to a lockdown of all Minneapolis public schools on Wednesday could have come from Australia.
The suspect who allegedly made the threat hasn't been in the United States in seven years, so police believe this is a prank but are continuing to look into it.
St. Paul Public Schools are not in lock down. However, some schools have tightened security as a precaution.
You can ensure that your staff is trained on effective violence prevention strategies, as well as your district’s lockdown procedures, with the EmployeeSafe Suite. Contact PublicSchoolWORKS at sales@publicschoolworks.com for more information about this program.
Story taken from www.wcco.com.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
PublicSchoolWORKS to host session on student behavior management
PublicSchoolWORKS will be holding a session for current customers to discuss student discipline and behavior management. The agenda for the session is as follows:
• Sharing best practices in student discipline and behavior management.
• Getting the most out of the PublicSchoolWORKS Student Behavior Management System with the least amount of effort.
• Using referrals, documentation reports, and positive behavior awards.
• Things we’re adding to the system.
• Discussion of customer behavior management successes, data analysis, and staff feedback.
Schedule/Location
Date: March 5, 2010
Time: 8:30 AM Registration
9:00 AM Start
12:00 PM Lunch (provided by PublicSchoolWORKS)
2:00 PM Finish
Location: OSBA Offices
Board / Conference Room
8050 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43235
To RSVP, please contact Carrie via email at cmockler@publicschoolworks.com.
• Sharing best practices in student discipline and behavior management.
• Getting the most out of the PublicSchoolWORKS Student Behavior Management System with the least amount of effort.
• Using referrals, documentation reports, and positive behavior awards.
• Things we’re adding to the system.
• Discussion of customer behavior management successes, data analysis, and staff feedback.
Schedule/Location
Date: March 5, 2010
Time: 8:30 AM Registration
9:00 AM Start
12:00 PM Lunch (provided by PublicSchoolWORKS)
2:00 PM Finish
Location: OSBA Offices
Board / Conference Room
8050 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43235
To RSVP, please contact Carrie via email at cmockler@publicschoolworks.com.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Safety Automation webinar scheduled for January 20
Attend the PublicSchoolWORKS’ Safety Automation webinar if you:
-Have a desire to transform your workload from paper piles to digital files
-Need direction on how to better organize accident and incident reports
The free webinar is being held on Wednesday, January 20th @ 8:00 AM PST/9:00 AM MST/10:00 AM CST/11:00 AM EST.
During the webinar, PublicSchoolWORKS’ customer John Folkman, Director of Business Services for Mayfield City Schools in Ohio (MCSD), will discuss his experience with a web-based tool that simplifies time-consuming tasks and manages his safety programs. Specifically, this tool allows MCSD to automatically communicate information about accidents on specific campuses to the appropriate authorities, schedule drills and maintenance activities such as recharging fire extinguishers, manage and deliver online safety courses to its staff, and standardize district-wide activities such as the reporting of and follow up on accidents and workers’ compensation claims.
To register for this 30-minute webinar, please contact Britta Bowles via email at bbowles@publicschoolworks.com.
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