Insider News: PublicSchoolWORKS’ EmployeeSafe Suite Wins a District Administration Readers’ Choice Top 100 Product Award

The Employee Safe Suite was selected as a District Administration Readers’ Choice Top 100 Product, thanks to your nominations! The product will be featured in the December issue of the magazine, alongside the other selected products. 

Every year, District Administration asks its readers to nominate the products they believe made a positive difference in their school districts. Products can include hardware, software, books and materials, Web sites and facilities products.

To find out more about the award, visit the website.

 EmployeeSafe has been named a DA Top 100 Product for four consecutive years and was awarded a fifth DA Top 100 distinction in that period. In addition, PublicSchoolWORKS’ Parent InfoCenter won the Interactive Media Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Community Category and the Bronze Stevie Award for Front-Line Customer Service Team of the Year in 2012.

Spotlight: Preventing Seasonal Affective Disorder

A recent article by Dr. Michael Roizen and Dr. Mehmet Oz on Cleveland.com gives readers unique ways to prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD.) The doctors suggest people who battle with SAD should move their exercise outside, begin a light therapy regiment (light boxes, dawn simulators, light visors) and take supplemental vitamin D-3. These tactics give the body more access to sunlight and vitamins which may reverse the effects of SAD. To read more about SAD and the treatments mentioned in the article, click here.

In addition to changing the physical environment for students, districts can offer emotional support to students. PublicSchoolWORKS’ (PSW) Positive Youth Development course trains educators to recognize both academic and non-academic barriers to education, such as depression, and how students can be successful by focusing on their assets. The course also teaches how to create a positive youth environment and how it can benefit academic performance. To learn more about how your staff can promote positive youth development, email sales@publicschoolworks.com...

When former Miramonte Elementary School teacher Martin Springer bailed out of jail -- accused of lewd conduct with a child -- he was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring unit around his ankle. NBC4's Toni Guinyard takes a look at the technology.

Do you have any tricks of your own for battling SAD or the winter blues? Share your thoughts with us on Twitter via @PSWORKS.  

Spotlight: Seasonal Affective Disorder

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) has similar symptoms to depression. Symptoms may include sadness, anxiety, irritability, loss of interest in usual activities, withdrawal from social activities and inability to concentrate. Other symptoms are extreme fatigue and lack of energy, increased need for sleep, cravings for carbohydrates, and increased appetite and weight gain. To read more about SAD, click here.

PublicSchoolWORKS’ (PSW) Depression in Students course covers the causes, symptoms and effects that childhood depression can have on students. The course also instructs educators on appropriate ways to help a student showing signs of depression. To learn more about educating your staff on childhood depression, email sales@publicschoolworks.com.

Have you ever experienced a student with SAD? How did you recognize it and/or how did you address it? When former Miramonte Elementary School teacher Martin Springer bailed out of jail -- accused of lewd conduct with a child -- he was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring unit around his ankle. NBC4's Toni Guinyard takes a look at the technology.Share Share your dksksdksd Share your experience with us by commenting on our Facebook page.

Preparing for Seasonal Depression Awareness Month

Seasonal weather changes and shortened days leave people spending more time indoors which could possibly affect student and teacher moral. This December, Seasonal Depression Awareness Month, take the time to understand the symptoms and preventative measures you can take to steer clear of seasonal depression.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, six percent of the U.S. population, primarily in northern climates, is affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Another 14 percent of the adult population experiences a lesser form, characterized by seasonal mood changes and known as the winter blues.

One way districts can help battle student depression is to offer positive youth development activities. The National Research Council has identified several characteristics for programs that support and promote the positive development of youth, including: physical and psychological safety, appropriate structure, supportive relationships, opportunities to belong, positive social norms, support for efficacy and mattering, opportunities for skill-building, and integration of family, school and community efforts.

What is your district doing to help beat seasonal depression in staff and students? PublicSchoolWORKS offers several courses to help train teachers to understand and intervene when students are showing signs of depression, including Depression in Students and Positive Youth Development. To learn more, email sales@publicschoolworks.com.

Spotlight: Tornado Safety

A recent article from NASDAQ stated that the 2011 spring tornado season created more than $21 billion in losses, more than more any earthquake or hurricane in the last 20 years, except Katrina in 2005 and Andrew in 1992. A combination of reasons contributed to the horrific tornado season, including population changes and favorable weather conditions. To learn more about what conditions contributed to heavy destruction, read the article here.

Natural disasters are often associated with seasonal temperature changes. In the event that a tornado should occur, PSW’s Tornado Safety course provides information regarding the cause and signs of tornadoes. The course also instructs educators how to prepare students for a tornado, and what safety steps they should take during and after a tornado. To learn more about how you can educate your staff on tornado safety, email sales@publicschoolworks.com. 

Spotlight: Inclement Weather Safety

CNN recently covered a Louisville, KY school bus crash that injured 50 students. It was a rainy day when the bus, which was transporting middle school students at the time, collided with a Mustang occupied by three high school students. To learn more about the bus crash, read the article here.

PublicSchoolWORKS’ (PSW) Transportation - Safe Driving course covers topics such as inclement weather, vehicle accident preventability and motor vehicle laws. To learn more about how you can educate your staff about transportation and inclement weather issues, email sales@publicschoolworks.com...

When former Miramonte Elementary School teacher Martin Springer bailed out of jail -- accused of lewd conduct with a child -- he was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring unit around his ankle. NBC4's Toni Guinyard takes a look at the technology.

How does your school ensure transportation safety? Share your comments with us on Twitter @PSWORKS.  

Spotlight: Slips, Trips and Falls

Forbes recently covered The Bureau of Labor Statistics‘ National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. The report covered the top 10 deadliest jobs, as well as, which accidents resulted in the most fatalities. According to the report, slips, trips or falls caused about 14 percent of all workplace injuries in 2011. To read more about of the report, read the article here.

PublicSchoolWORKS’ (PSW) Slip, Trips and Falls Prevention course covers the cause, results and prevention of slips, trips and falls. The course teaches staff how to identify areas of concern, act on issues and monitor locations where injuries are possible. To find out more about slips, trips and falls prevention, email sales@publicschoolworks.com.

When former Miramonte Elementary School teacher Martin Springer bailed out of jail -- accused of lewd conduct with a child -- he was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring unit around his ankle. NBC4's Toni Guinyard takes a look at the technology.To share your story about how your school avoids slips, trips and falls, comment on our Facebook page.

November is Winter Weather Awareness Month

Fall is officially in session and temperatures, as well as leaves, are dropping. Get a jump on seasonal training before bad winter weather hits by offering training such as Slips, Trips and Falls Prevention in November with no administrator time and effort. Additional PublicSchoolWORKS’ training courses and prevention tips for educators that revolve around seasonal weather include Transportation - Safe Driving and Tornado Safety. 

To find out more about these courses and how PublicSchoolWORKS can help you and your staff avoid injuries, email sales@publicschoolworks.com.

Industry Insider News: PublicSchoolWORKS’ Parent InfoCenter Wins Interactive Media Award

PublicSchoolWORKS has won an Interactive Media Awards (IMA) Outstanding Achievement Award under the “community” category for its Parent InfoCenter. The Outstanding Achievement award is the second highest honor given by IMA.

The Parent InfoCenter is part of the Student Bullying and Violence Prevention Program (SBVPP) that features online training, awareness information and reporting tools for students and parents. In addition, the Parent InfoCenter is custom-designed for each district to meet state-specific requirements for safety awareness.

To learn more about the award, click here.

Spotlight: No Bystanders Campaign

The students at Robert Land Academy in Ontario, Canada, have started an anti-bullying campaign called “No Bystanders” in the hopes of preventing bullying.  The campaign is the product of 13 cadets’ discussions about their own experiences with bullying. Within the group of students, each was either bullied, a bully or a bystander at some point.

The students at RLA pledged that they will not bully or be a bystander. RLA has started a petition through change.org, asking others to pledge to not bully or be a bystander. To watch the campaign video, sign the petition, or learn more RLA’s Nobystanders.me anti-bullying campaign, click here.

What do you think about RLA’s Nobystanders.me campaign? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook or Twitter!

Spotlight: Bullying Prevention

An article on Fox 54 online featured statistics from a National Institute of Child Health and Human Development research study. According to the study, one out of nine high school students reported they had been pushed, shoved, tripped or spit upon during the last school year. Fox 54’s article also gives tips for parents on bullying prevention for the school year. The article urges parents to become familiar with their school’s policy on bullying and to get to know their children’s teachers. To learn more tips for parents, read the article here.

PublicSchoolWORKS’ (PSW) Bullying Prevention - Administrators teaches administrators how to detect the signs of a bully victim and how to intervene. The course also explains how to develop a prevention plan. To learn more about how you can educate your staff on bullying, email sales@publicschoolworks.com... When former Miramonte Elementary School teacher Martin Springer bailed out of jail -- accused of lewd conduct with a child -- he was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring unit around his ankle. NBC4's Toni Guinyard takes a look at the technology.

Has your school experienced a bullying situation? What was the outcome? Share your comments with us on Twitter @PSWORKS.  

Spotlight: Twitter Bullying

A recent story on the CBS21 News in Harrisburg, PA tells the story of a Penn Manor High School student’s attempt to end the school’s Twitter “burn book.” The burn book was created for students to bully their peers via Twitter. One student took a stand and created a positive burn book called “Play Nice Penn Manor.” To read more about Penn Manor’s Twitter bullying, read the article here.

PublicSchoolWORKS’ (PSW) Bullying Prevention - Basics for Educators defines bullying, explains bully dynamics and shows ways educators can intervene in order to stop bullying. The course also gives information about cyberbullying and tactics for intervening when it occurs. To learn more about how you can educate your staff about bullying, email sales@publicschoolworks.com...

When former Miramonte Elementary School teacher Martin Springer bailed out of jail -- accused of lewd conduct with a child -- he was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring unit around his ankle. NBC4's Toni Guinyard takes a look at the technology.To share your story about how you handled a student bullying situation, comment on our Facebook page.

Preparing for National Bullying Prevention Month in October

With students, teachers and administrators getting settled into the new school year, it is important to remember student safety issues, including bullying. This October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and with September bringing us school shootings and parents taking bullying retaliation into their own hands, it is critical that schools address bullying head on. Training both staff and students how to recognize bullying, providing tools to communicate issues and tracking issues to recognize trends, will help administrators show that bullying will not be tolerated in schools. 

The PublicSchoolWORKS’ Student Bullying Reporting System provides 24/7 online and telephone systems that allow students and parents to report bullying incidents.  It includes automated tools that immediately notify and mobilize school administrators and appropriate individuals when an incident is reported. To find out more about this feature, or about how you can ensure your staff is prepared to recognize and deal with bullying, email sales@publicschoolworks.com.

Industry Insider News: Your School Could Win $45,000 in Curriculum/Training/Equipment

Individuals, teams, and schools can now enter their video nominations for the nationwide Healthy School Makeover Contest. The winning school will receive $45,000 in curriculum, training and equipment for a comprehensive healthy school makeover.

The grand prize includes:

• SPARK: SPARK Curriculum and Training package, valued at $10,000
• Sportime: Equipment package aligned with SPARK program, valued at up to $9,000
• Healthy Kids Challenge: “Balance My Day” nutrition curriculum package and training, valued at $2,400
• AAHPERD/NASPE: Customized Lets Move in School training package valued at $4,500
• Skillastics: Two Let's Move in School Skillastics packages and training, valued at $2,000
• Healthy Lifestyle Choices: HLC Curriculum and Training package, valued at $5,500
• GenMove: Equipment, programming and training package valued at $3,300
• The First Tee: The First Tee National School Program curriculum, training and equipment, valued at $3,200
• Polar: Polar Active classroom pack, valued at $3,300
• ANNIKA Foundation: Annika Sorenstam to present grand prize to winner

The contest, managed by SPARK™, the provider of the world’s most-researched and field-tested physical education program and a division of School Specialty, asks nominees to submit a short video describing why they think their school needs a healthy school makeover. All entries must be received by October 31, 2012. The public will vote to determine the finalist from November 1, 2012 to November 14, 2012. A panel of judges will determine the winner and Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam will present the grand prize to the winning school.

To find out more about how you can win a ‘Healthy School Makeover Contest’, visit the website.

Spotlight: Classroom Safety

The Detroit Free Press online featured an article with tips from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) about how to avoid allergens and allergic reactions at school. ACAAI urges parents to tell their children to stay away from potential allergens, such as chalk dust, classroom pets, bees and wasps. They also urge students to pack lunch to avoid food allergens and to know the signs of allergic reactions.

With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Student Medical Emergencies course, teachers and administrators learn how to deal with medical emergencies, including food allergies and asthma. The course gives information about the symptoms of various student emergencies and provides step-by-step instructions for helping a student in distress. If you are interested in learning more about PublicSchoolWORKS’ Student Medical Emergencies course, call 1-877-779-6757.

What measures does your school take to protect students against allergens in the classroom? Share your comments with us on Twitter @PSWORKS.

READ MORE: http://www.freep.com/article/20120812/FEATURES08/308120053/1033/Features/How-avoid-an-allergic-reaction-when-heading-back-school

Spotlight: School Safety

A recent article on NBC 5 Chicago states that the Illinois Attorney General’s Office has created a special toolkit to help staff intervene in the event that a student should have an allergic reaction at school. The toolkit includes a blank prescription form for doctors, which allows the schools to stock EpiPens, and other resources for use with students. According to the article, the Attorney General feels that carrying these toolkits is not a substitute for students carrying their own EpiPens, but could potentially save a student’s life if he or she forgets to bring their own EpiPen to school.

Read More: http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/illinois-attorney-general-epipen-schools-166014256.html#ixzz23WifGh7T

PublicSchoolWORKS’ (PSW) Epinephrine Auto-Injector Use course educates school staff on how to administer the Epinephrine Auto-Injector. The course also provides step-by-step videos and other information on the different models of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors and how to properly administer those specific models in the event a student should need them. To learn more about how you can educate your staff to administer epinephrine injections to students, email sales@publicschoolworks.com.

Has your staff ever had to intervene in order to help a student? Share your story on our Facebook page.

September is National Food Safety Awareness Month

Administrators, teachers and students are back to school for the start of the new school year. While getting to know new students, it is important to note that September is National Food Safety Awareness Month. An important component of food safety is being aware of food allergies and how to handle allergic reactions. Reactions can range from mild to severe and may lead to potentially-fatal Anaphylaxis, possibly resulting in breathing difficulties, a drop in blood pressure, or shock. Having a staff that knows how to act in these situations could help save a student’s life.

With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Managing Food Allergies course, educators will learn how to recognize the symptoms of an allergic reaction and provide treatment and ways to reduce the risk of student exposure to food allergens. To find out more about this course, or about how you can ensure your staff is prepared to deal with food safety, email sales@publicschoolworks.com.

Industry Insider News: Arnie Duncan Deems August Connected Educator Month

A recent THE Journal article highlight’s the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference video from Secretary of Education Arne Duncan which announced that August is deemed “Connected Educator Month.” According to the article, the video calls upon teachers and other educational leaders to innovate through online collaboration and learning environments. Duncan states the importance of educators having access to the best digital content, resources, and tools in order to create an exciting learning environment for students and to have the ability to connect to field experts and peers. According to the article, the Department of Education's Office of Educational Technology (OET), in conjunction with the American Institutes for Research (AIR), will convene Connected Educator Month as a part of OET's Connected Educators initiative,

To find out more about Connected Educator Month, visit the website.

READ MORE: http://thejournal.com/articles/2012/06/26/education-secretary-announces-connected-educator-month.aspx

Spotlight: Bullying and Suicide Prevention

The Examiner online delves into the issue of bullying and suicide in a June article. The article also highlights interesting findings from BullyingandStatistics.org and discusses the various students across the Unites States who have taken their lives as a result of bullying. According to the findings, victims of bullying are two to nine times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims and bullying accounts for half of the suicides among young people. In addition, a shocking 160,000 kids have reported staying home from school every day due to fear of being bullied.

With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Student Bullying and Violence Prevention Program (SBVPP), districts have the ability to address both bullying and violence concerns. The program sets a precedence letting students know that bullying is not tolerated. In addition, it provides mechanisms for anonymously reporting incidents of bullying and student violence while streamlining and automating the process for administrators to track incidents through to resolution. If you are interested in learning more about PublicSchoolWORKS SBVPP,
call 1-877-779-6757

Has your school experienced a bullying situation? What was the outcome? Share your comments with us on Twitter @PSWORKS.

Spotlight: Depression in Students

A recent article on the Santa Fe New Mexican reveals some shocking information about today’s youth and depression. According to the article, 35 percent of seventh-graders and 37 percent of ninth-graders in Santa Fe feel, “hopeless every day for at least two weeks in a row.” These findings were the result of a health and wellness survey compiled by the Office of Student Wellness. Roughly 700 seventh-graders and 550 ninth-graders were surveyed last spring and the results, in addition to depression findings, has shown a decrease in binge drinking and smoking among teens, but a slight increase in marijuana use. To read more about the survey’s findings, read the article here.

PublicSchoolWORKS’ (PSW) Depression in Students course helps educate school staff on the importance, signs and causes of student depression to ensure that they are able to recognize and respond when they encounter a student who may be suffering from depression. PSW’s Depression in Students course focuses on:

• Types of Depression
• Causes of Childhood Depression
• Symptoms of Childhood Depression
• Comparison of Symptoms Between Adults, Children, and Adolescents
• The Effects of Childhood Depression
• Helping a Child with Depression

To learn more about how you can educate your staff on depression in students, email sales@publicschoolworks.com.. To share your story of how you handled student depression, comment on our Facebook page.

Preparing for National Suicide Prevention Month in September

Many administrators and teachers are heading back to school to prepare for the 2012-2013 school year. During this time of preparation it is important to note that September 10, 2012 marks World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicides and attempted suicides are a growing issue in schools across the country, and, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), an average of almost 3,000 people commit suicide daily and one million people perish every year as a result of suicide. For every one of those suicides, 20 more people will attempt to end their lives. When your students begin class, make sure that your staff is informed about this issue and has the necessary tools to help your students if and when a situation occurs. Having a better informed staff could help save a student’s life.

With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Self-Injury and Suicide Prevention course, educators will learn how to recognize the forms, causes and effects of self-injury and suicidal tendencies in children and teens. The course covers self-injury, self-asphyxiation, also known as “The Choking Game,” and suicide. To find out more information about this course, or about how you can ensure your staff is prepared to deal with students and suicide, email sales@publicschoolworks.com.

Spotlight: Schools to Rebuild Following Flood

The flooding of the Souris River last year in Minot, North Dakota destroyed both Lincoln Elementary School and Eric Ramstad Middle School. An article on the Huffington Post stated that both schools received funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the tune of $30 million last year. In addition, Longfellow Elementary received $2.9 million to help repair its building. The article also reported that FEMA has provided the school district with an additional $8.5 million for other flood-related measures.

Has your school experienced a disaster? How did your district react to the situation? Share your stories with us on Twitter @PSWORKS.

Source: Huffington Post

Spotlight: Virginia Earthquake

In August 2011, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake originating in Virginia hit much of the east coast, including Baltimore County. While no significant damage was reported, the earthquake caused Baltimore County government buildings to be evacuated, and, according to a Baltimore news website, fire officials responded to several people stuck in elevators. In addition, Herndon school officials reportedly found cracks in the gymnasium of Kenwood High School in Essex and along the back wall of Pikesville High School. The cracks are thought to be a result of the earthquake.

When natural disasters occur in schools, it is important for all administrators to know the proper policies and procedures to ensure student and staff safety. With PublicSchoolWORKS Emergency Response course, staff will learn:

• What is required in a district’s emergency plan
• Employee responsibilities for activities in the plan
• The training requirements for emergency action plans
• The requirements for alarm systems
• The requirements for fire prevention plans and fire prevention measures
• The requirements for access to emergency exit routes


For more information about PublicSchoolWORKS’ Emergency Response and to ensure your staff is up-to-date on all natural disaster safety information, email sales@publicschoolworks.com.

SOURCE: Baltimore Sun

Spotlight: Joplin Schools Remember Tornados

More than a year ago, 10 schools in Joplin were either damaged or destroyed as a result of tornadoes that devastated the Missouri school district. As part of the city’s Walk for Unity held this past May 22, the district held groundbreakings for Joplin High School, Franklin Technology Center and two additional schools. According to a recent article on The Joplin Globe, as part of the Walk for Unity thousands traveled the reverse of the tornados’ path. Since the 2011 natural disaster, district officials state that the total cost for all of the district’s rebuilding projects is estimated at $185 million.

With PublicSchoolWORKS Tornado Safety course, staff will learn suggested actions to take before, during and after a tornado. This information, along with your school’s tornado safety plan, will help you effectively respond when threatening weather approaches.

Does your school currently offer tornado training for staff? No? Share your comments with us on Twitter @PSWORKS.

Source: Joplin Globe Online

July is Bioterrorism and Disaster Education and Awareness Month (Norristown, PA)

The Montgomery County Health Department in Norristown, PA has deemed July Bioterrorism and Disaster Education and Awareness Month. The health department states that Bioterrorism refers to "the deliberate or threatened use of bacteria, viruses or toxins to cause disease, death, disruption or fear," and states that preparing for such an incident is similar to preparing for a natural disaster. The department, along with the Department of Public Safety, urges residents to follow three steps in an effort to empower themselves – plan, prepare, and participate.

PublicSchoolWORKS offers training for districts on how to best respond to incidents associated with man-made or natural disasters. For more information on how you can prepare your staff for a natural disaster, please call 1-877-77WORKS.

SPOTLIGHT: Cyberbullying on the Rise

Across the Unites States, school districts will soon need to address new or revised cyberbullying laws. Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine and New York lawmakers are discussing addressing digital bullying in laws in an effort to protect against instances of bullied students committing suicide. Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia and Illinois only consider cyberbullying punishable if committed on computers either owned or leased by the school. According to a recent article on USA Today’s website, Delaware lawmakers will meet to discuss how to handle cyberbullying off campus, while Indiana is looking to pass a bill that would give school districts more authority to deal with off-campus bullying.

Source: USA Today

To combat the growth in cyberbullying, PublicSchoolWORKS has created the Parent InfoCenter. This new tool helps districts meet state-specific requirements on safety awareness for parents, including bullying prevention and child abuse prevention training. With this tool, students and parents have the ability to report, anonymously if they choose, any incident affecting them or, that they may have seen or heard about from another person. Once reported, the appropriate administrator is auto notified and the issue is tracked to completion making a safer school environment for all students. To learn more about PublicSchoolWORKS’ Parent InfoCenter, contact sales@publicschoolworks.com.

Spotlight: Jason Flatt Act

According to an article on Metro News, on March 13, 2012, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed the Jason Flatt Act, a bill that will require the West Virginia Center for Professional Development to provide training resources on suicide prevention for state schools. According to the article, the goal of the bill is to train teachers on the warning signs of depression and suicide. The Jason Flatt act was created after the 1997 suicide of Jason Flatt. Following his son’s passing, Clark Flatt, Jason’s father, pushed state legislators to pass a law that would help prevent future suicides from occurring. At the time the article was published, West Virginia was the seventh state to pass the act, but has since been followed by both Utah and South Carolina.

Does your school currently offer suicide prevention training for staff? No? Share your comments with us on Twitter @PSWORKS.

Source: WV Metro News

Spotlight: Cyberbullying in Texas

With increased media attention surrounding cyberbullying, many states are creating laws and mandates to prevent future cases from arising. In June of last year, for example, three Texas girls were sued because they posted a threatening video about another girl on Facebook. The father of the girl who was threatened filed a defamation of character lawsuit against the three girls.

Texas House Bill 1942 encourages staff training in preventing, identifying, and responding to reported incidents of bullying. PublicSchoolWORKS offers a series of courses to address this Bill. This training is available for all school staff and officials to better assist them in handling and responding to incidents of bullying.

Source:KWTX NEWS

June is National Safety Month

According to the National Safety Council, June marks National Safety Month (NSM). The National Safety Council states that the goal of this annual observance is to educate and influence behaviors around the leading causes of preventable injuries and deaths. Throughout June, the council offers themes that organizations can take part in to promote awareness of critical safety issues. The themes for 2012 are:

Week 1: Employee Wellness and the Presidential Active Lifestyle (PALA) Challenge
Week 2: Ergonomics
Week 3: Preventing slips, trips and falls
Week 4: Driving safety

To view the full list of themes or to sign up for monthly updates, visit the National Safety Council website: http://www.nsc.org/nsc_events/Nat_Safe_Month/Pages/home.aspx?VanUrl=nsm

EmployeeSafe Suite: Prepare Your Staff for a Safe 2012

With PublicSchoolWORKS (PSW), districts have an online management system to help ensure safe schools for staff and students. The EmployeeSafe Suite is designed to implement anything from training only, to a comprehensive school safety program that includes training courses, written plans, programs and procedures, checklists, inspections, MSDS and other tools. In addition, suite programs are customized to the requirements of individual school districts. The EmployeeSafe Suite features eight different modules, including:

• Staff Training
• Employee Accident Management
• OSHA 300 Reporting
• Compliance Task Management (non-training)
• MSDS Now!
• Staff Safety Reporting
• Staff Telephone Helplines
• Safety Document Management

Industry Insider News: PublicSchoolWORKS (PSW) Helps Districts Receiving E-Rate Funding Meet New Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Requirements

PublicSchoolWORKS is helping districts fulfill the new 2012 CIPA requirements by offering a series of courses designed specifically for teachers and students. The four grade-appropriate student courses and the course for staff help districts receiving E-Rate funding educate minors about appropriate online behavior.

PublicSchoolWORKS’ CIPA courses include:

• Student Use of Technology: Appropriate online behavior, social networking, cyberbullying – For educators and staff, it covers appropriate online behavior for students, online safety and mobile and wireless safety. In addition, this course helps educators initiate and lead classroom discussions on the use of technology and internet safety and addresses student questions and concerns.

• District Acceptable Use Policy Signoff for Staff – This course for educators is updated to ensure that staff understand the districts’ policy for appropriate use of the internet and social media.

• Internet Safety (Gr. K-2) – For students to view as a group, it covers information about online predators, cyber bullying, internet safety, and protecting the students’ identity.

• Internet Safety (Gr. 3-5) – For students to view as a group , it covers online predators, cyber bullying, social networking, identity protection, internet safety and other online behavior, such as peer-to-peer networks, internet etiquette and mobile internet safety.

• Internet Safety (Gr. 6-8) – For students to view as a group , it covers online predators, cyber bullying, social networking, identity protection, internet safety, online scams and other online behavior, such as peer-to-peer networks, internet etiquette, copyright and plagiarism issues, as well as mobile internet safety.

• Internet Safety (Gr. 9-12) – For students to view as a group, it covers online predators, cyber bullying, social networking, identity protection, internet safety, online scams, peer-to-peer networks, internet etiquette, copyright and plagiarism issues, mobile internet safety, the protection of personal information, use of chat rooms, and avoiding adult material.

In addition to the PublicSchoolWORKS CIPA courses, students and parents may have access to the Student Bullying Reporting System, a 24/7 hotline and anonymous reporting system which allows for the reporting of harmful behavior in a non-threatening environment and immediately notifies principals of behaviors or threats so that they can intervene before a situation escalates, and the CIPA Parent InfoCenter provides information for parents to gain awareness of internet dangers and the steps needed to keep their children safe.

To learn more about PublicSchoolWORKS CIPA courses, visit the CIPA website or call 1-877-77WORKS

Crisis Management: Preventing Gun Violence

Our deepest condolences go out to the families, parents, students and educators affected by the senseless, tragic school shooting in Chardon, Ohio, in February. The community continues to be in our thoughts.

While this situation is devastating, the Chardon community and individual educators are being praised for preventing an even greater tragedy from occurring through their quick response and heroic actions. Incidents like this remind us just how important it is to have plans in place for schools to deal with crises. Learning First Alliance (LFA, a partnership of 16 education associations with more than 10 million members dedicated to improving student learning in America's public schools) offers a number of resources to help schools develop such plans, as well as resources to help them react during and after a crisis. View these resources at http://www.learningfirst.org/issues/safeschools.

While schools often plan for a number of disasters, they rarely have a plan in place to respond to gun violence. It is vital that administrators are prepared to respond to a student with a weapon by developing a planned response to disarm the student without incident. One resource outlining how they can do so comes from the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP, an LFA member).

NASSP stresses that whenever an armed student is believed to be on campus, administrators should: gather information; evaluate resources and liabilities; call for help; bring together appropriate school staff to debrief and delegate responsibilities; and continue to monitor the student until help arrives.

In the event of an incident, school personnel must decide whether to act on his or her own or wait for help from law enforcement. If an administrator decides to act, the plan must include surveillance, interception and isolation of the student. Alternatively, if an administrator decides to wait for police, he or she must maintain constant surveillance of the student until police arrive and then be prepared to assist in removal of the armed student and getting other students to safety.

Effective planning can help administrators act quickly in the event of a gun crisis and save lives. For more information about how public school administrators can prepare to respond to gun violence, please visit www.nassp.org/content.aspx?topic=55496.

Has your school experienced a similar situation? What was the outcome? Share your comments with us on Twitter @PSWORKS.

Spotlight: Eating Disorders

According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), close to half of the individuals who suffer from an eating disorder meet the criteria for depression. ANAD states that of all mental disorders, eating disorders account for the highest mortality rate. The Palo Alto Medical Foundation states that 1 in 10 cases of eating disorders can lead to death by starvation and that individuals with eating disorders show an increased rate of suicide attempts. The Palo Alto Medical Foundation website offers overviews and descriptions of common teenage eating disorders.

As a potentially deadly mental disorder, it is important that all staff interacting closely with students know the causes, signs and best approach to deal with an eating disorder if and when they encounter it in a student. The PublicSchoolWORKS Recognizing Eating Disorders course educates staff on the psychological, interpersonal, social, and biological factors of eating disorders. The course also educates staff on obesity and eating disorders in athletics. To learn more about how you can educate your district on eating disorders, email sales@publicschoolworks.com

To share what your district is doing to educate staff on the signs and intervention surrounding eating disorders, comment on our Facebook page.

Source: Palo Alto Medical Foundation

May is Mental Health Month

According to Mental Health America, formerly known as the National Mental Health Association, Mental Health Month was created more than 50 years ago to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental wellness for all. During Mental Health Month this year, Mental Health America is focusing on social connectedness as a means to support mental health. To learn more about what social connectedness is, and for more information on how to become socially connected, visit the Mental Health America website here. Also available on the Mental Health America site is access to an array of materials including information on depression, as well as a depression screener and other tools to help assess your mental health or that of someone you know. To see a full list of available material, visit the website here.

PublicSchoolWORKS’ (PSW) Depression in Students course helps educate school staff on the importance, signs and causes of student depression to ensure that they are able to recognize and respond when they encounter a student who may be suffering from depression. PSW’s Depression in Students course focuses on:

• Types of Depression
• Causes of Childhood Depression
• Symptoms of Childhood Depression
• Comparison of Symptoms Between Adults, Children, and Adolescents
• The Effects of Childhood Depression
• Helping a Child with Depression

To learn more about how you can educate your district on depression in students, email sales@publicschoolworks.com

Industry Insider News: PublicSchoolWORKS (PSW) Helps Districts Receiving E-Rate Funding Meet New Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Requirements

PublicSchoolWORKS a Cincinnati-based company that offers the one and only comprehensive, fully-automated risk management system available for schools, is helping districts fulfill the new 2012 CIPA requirements by offering a series of courses designed specifically for teachers and students. The four grade-appropriate student courses and the course for staff help all schools receiving E-Rate funding educate minors about appropriate online behavior.
PublicSchoolWORKS’ CIPA courses include:

• Student Use of Technology: Appropriate online behavior, social networking, cyberbullying – For educators and staff, it covers appropriate online behavior for students, online safety and mobile and wireless safety. In addition, this course helps educators initiate and lead classroom discussions on the use of technology and internet safety and addresses student questions and concerns.

• District Acceptable Use Policy Signoff for Staff – This course for educators is updated to ensure that staff understand the districts’ policy for appropriate use of the internet and social media.

• Internet Safety (Gr. K-2) – For students to view as a group, it covers information about online predators, cyber bullying, internet safety, and protecting the students’ identity.

• Internet Safety (Gr. 3-5) – For students to view as a group , it covers online predators, cyber bullying, social networking, identity protection, internet safety and other online behavior, such as peer-to-peer networks, internet etiquette and mobile internet safety.

• Internet Safety (Gr. 6-8) – For students to view as a group , it covers online predators, cyber bullying, social networking, identity protection, internet safety, online scams and other online behavior, such as peer-to-peer networks, internet etiquette, copyright and plagiarism issues, as well as mobile internet safety.

• Internet Safety (Gr. 9-12) – For students to view as a group, it covers online predators, cyber bullying, social networking, identity protection, internet safety, online scams, peer-to-peer networks, internet etiquette, copyright and plagiarism issues, mobile internet safety, the protection of personal information, use of chat rooms, and avoiding adult material.

In addition to the PublicSchoolWORKS CIPA courses, students and parents will have access to the Student Bullying Reporting System, a 24/7 hotline and anonymous reporting system which allows for the reporting of harmful behavior in a non-threatening environment and immediately notifies principals of behaviors or threats so that they can intervene before a situation escalates, and the CIPA Parent InfoCenter which provides information for parents to gain awareness of internet dangers and the steps needed to keep their children safe.

To learn more about PublicSchoolWORKS CIPA courses, visit the CIPA website or call 1-877-77WORKS

Spotlight: Georgia Principal Faces Criminal Charges

In Marietta, Georgia, a Cobb County middle school principal, Jerry Dority, faces criminal charges for failing to report an incident of reported child abuse at Tap Middle School. Also facing charges is school counselor, Yatta Collins. According to the recent article on WSBTV, the case revolves around a student’s attempted suicide at school. The incident was the result of the student reportedly being sexually assaulted at home. Dority and Yatta failed to report the incident within the time frame mandated by Georgia law. Both educators had clean records prior to the incident.

Has your school experienced a similar situation? What was the outcome? Share your comments with us on Twitter @PSWORKS.

READ MORE: WSBTV Online

Spotlight: School Child Abuse Scandal

According to a recent NBC news story, Martin Bernard Springer has been ordered to return to court on April 16, 2012, to face criminal charges for three felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14. Springer is one to two teachers at Miramonte Elementary School facing charges. The other teacher, Mark Berndt, was arrested in connection with inappropriate student photos and spoon-feeding students semen. According to the article, Berndt is charged with committing lewd acts against 23 students.

In cases like those at Miramonte Elementary School, it is essential that educators and parents know how to identify abuse and have the ability to notify the appropriate person immediately. With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Parent InfoCenter districts have the ability to be proactive in providing parents with information that benefit the health and safety of students. It provides an online tool where (if a district requests it or a state requires it) parents may view the same training given to school personnel on the prevention and identification of child abuse, bullying prevention and other content, in addition to the obligations for reporting bullying and other safety concerns.
To share what your district is doing to prevent and report child abuse, comment on our Facebook page.

Source: NBC Los Angeles

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, April is National Child Abuse Awareness month. In an effort to raise awareness around child abuse, the Department of Health & Human Services has created a calendar of events that includes ways you can promote child well-being throughout the month of April. To view the calendar of events and tips, or to get involved in child abuse prevention efforts in your community, visit the Department of Health & Human Services' website. While child abuse seems unimaginable to many people, it is important to know the signs so that you can intervene should the situation arise.

With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Child Abuse Prevention course, available in English and in Spanish, staff will learn how to identify child abuse and neglect, as well as the appropriate procedure for reporting such cases. With this course, school staff will also learn the contributing factors of abuse and neglect.

To learn more about PublicSchoolWORKS’ Child Abuse Prevention course, email sales@publicschoolworks.com

Industry Insider News: PublicSchoolWORKS Parent InfoCenter Gives Districts Added Visibility with Parents

In order to help districts in various states across the country meet new requirements to make safety resources available to parents, PublicSchoolWORKS has developed the Parent InfoCenter. This service has been added to the company’s Student Bullying and Violence Prevention program (SBVVP). The Parent InfoCenter is custom-designed to meet state-specific requirements on safety awareness for parents, including bullying prevention and child abuse prevention training. It features online training, awareness information and reporting tools for students and parents. In addition, staff may use the tool to share information with parents during parent/teacher nights. The Parent InfoCenter includes:

• Parental Awareness Information – Child Abuse Prevention, Bullying Prevention and other information may be made available for parents via this portal to help parents understand how their children are being protected.
• Student & Parent Reporting Systems – Online and telephone reporting options for students and parents.
• A Student Reporting Poster – A printable poster that provides students with the resources to report safety concerns via telephone or online.
• Safety Information Repository – A place for safety information that the school wants to include, either PublicSchoolWORKS created or school created.


To learn more about PublicSchoolWORKS’ Parent InfoCenter, email sales@publicschoolworks.com

Spotlight: Dangerous Chemicals in School

Tradewinds Middle School, part of the School District of Palm Beach County in Florida, was partially evacuated on the morning of Feb. 9, 2012 after two students brought an explosive to the school and an additional two students set it off. The four Tradewinds students, who are facing suspension and possible expulsion, may also face criminal charges for bringing the mixture of household chemicals to school. According to an article on The Palm Beach Post, a member of the school staff tried to clean up the blast after hearing it go off. Following student reports of a “strange smell,” the Greenacres Fire Rescue's Hazardous Materials team was sent to the school. There were no reported injuries at the school.

When incidents like those at Tradewinds Middle School occur, it is imperative that staff know the proper action to take to ensure that both students and staff are safe. With PublicSchoolWORKS Emergency Response course, part of the award-winning EmployeeSafe Suite, administrators will learn the importance of developing and disseminating an emergency action plan to ensure all staff know the proper policy and procedures for partial- and full-school evacuations. Do you have an evacuation plan set for your school. How did you staff respond during a recent evacuation? Share your comments with us on Twitter @PSWORKS.

Source: The Palm Beach Post

Spotlight: Alaska School Closing

A school in St. Paul, Alaska was forced to close for one day in February 2011 due to a fire in a nearby warehouse. The St. Paul School, which serves 74 PreK-12 students, was forced to shut its doors as a result of potential hazardous chemicals being released from a nearby blaze at a Trident Seafoods warehouse. According to an article on The Dutch Harbor Fisherman, the Superintendent of the Pribilof Islands School District, Jamie Spacks, stated that there were fumes seeping inside the school and a cloud of smoke hovering over the top of it on the day of the fire. After reopening, Spacks reported there were no further smoke problems at the school.
With PublicSchoolWORKS Flammable Liquid Safety course, part of the award-winning EmployeeSafe Suite, staff will learn about the dangers of failing to safely store flammable/combustible liquids in order to prevent situations like those in St. Paul from happening at a school. Do you educate your staff on the proper ways to store and handle chemicals? To share what your district is doing, comment on our Facebook page.

Source: The Dutch Harbor Fisherman

March 18th marks National Poison Prevention Week

According to POISON PREVENTION.ORG, March 18-24, 2012 is the 50th Anniversary of national Poison Prevention Week. This week is devoted to highlighting the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them. With PublicSchoolWORKS’ (PSW) Chemical Safety course, districts will learn the importance of classifying chemicals based on their hazards and how to predict chemical reactions in order to control potentially hazardous situations. The PSW’s Chemical Safety course focuses on:

• Physical and health hazards common to the handling and use of chemicals
• Methods and techniques used for evaluating chemical exposure
• Measures to protect against exposure
• Safe practices for chemical storage and waste disposal
• The correct response to emergency situations involving a chemical spill

To learn more about PublicSchoolWORKS’ Chemical Safety course, email sales@publicschoolworks.com

Spotlight: Teen Dating Violence

After tragically losing her daughter to an act of teen dating violence, author Vicki Crompton-Tetter is speaking out on a new teen dating concern, obsessive dating. According to a recent article in the Winnipeg Sun, Tetter states that instances of verbal and emotional abuse and controlling behavior have risen with the availability of computers, iPhones and GPS systems. The article also cites a shocking U.S. statistic that one in three girls between the ages of 10 and 18 have been assaulted by a boyfriend, either physically, sexually, emotionally or verbally. As a teen dating violence education advocate and counselor, Tetter states that if a parent suspects his or her child is involved in an abusive relationship the most important thing to do is to voice your concern and keep communication lines with your child open.

With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Student Safety Reporting System, part of its award-winning StudentWatch Suite, parents and students are provided with 24/7 online and telephone reporting tools enabling them to report issues of teen dating violence and other concerns that might impact the safety of students, staff, or property. Additionally, as part of the EmployeeSafe Suite, PublicSchoolWORKS provides training on Teen Dating Violence to help staff recognize and respond to the signs of teen dating violence. Are you providing the training tools to help your staff?

To share what your district is doing, comment on our Facebook page.

Source: Winnipeg Sun

Spotlight: New California Legislation

A new California state law, which will go into effect July 1, 2012 will require additional bullying training for administrators and simplify the process for victims of bullying to transfer schools. In addition, this new law will expand existing legislation to mandate that schools have comprehensive safety plans in place.

As legislation expands and changes, it is essential that districts have the ability and resources to adapt and comply with the law. With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Bullying Prevention-Administrators course, Administrators learn how to recognize bullying and intervene when bullying occurs and how cyber-bullying makes its way from the computer to the classroom. Most importantly, they will learn about the effects of bullying, the signs that someone is being bullied and how to stop bullying when it is seen happening. How is your school handing reports and acts of bullying? Share your comments with us on Twitter @PSWORKS.

Source: Ventura County Star

Industry Insider News: Your School or District Could Win a New Conflict Management Program through a February Cerebellum Grant

Every week this month, Cerebellum Corporation, the producer and distributor of the award-winning Standard Deviants videos, will offer one school in need a 4th Edition Kelso’s Choice Conflict Management Skills curriculum kit. The kit presents students with nine options to resolve minor conflicts and helps students to identify the difference between problems they can resolve individually and problems that require the assistance of an adult.

For a chance to win this program, submit your story about why your school needs Kelso’s Choice Conflict Management Skills or how your students could benefit from receiving this curriculum via email to: customerservice@kelsoschoice.com or make a post on the Kelso’s Choice Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelsos-Choice/154814201238590?sk=wall.

February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

According to the Presidential Proclamation last year, which names February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, each year about one in four teens reports being the victim of verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual violence. It is critical that all educators be aware of the signs that teen dating violence may be occurring, as well as the long-term risks of teen dating violence. With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Teen Dating Violence Course staff will learn to identify signs of abuse such as:

• Unexplained bruises, scratches, and injuries
• Showing fear of boyfriend/girlfriend
• Apologizing to others for boyfriend’s/girlfriend’s behavior
• Loss of interest in things that were once important (Quitting hobbies, clubs, athletics)
• Sudden appearance changes (clothing and make-up styles)
• Avoidance of adults, friends, and family
• Sudden mood changes (anxious, depressed, crying)
• Academic decline
• Loss of confidence
• Struggles over making decisions

To learn more about PublicSchoolWORKS’ Teen Dating Violence Course, email sales@publicschoolworks.com

EmployeeSafe Suite: Teacher Saves Student’s Life

In Bismarck North Dakota, a reading specialist at Dorothy Moses Elementary School came to the aid of a student who was choking. Ciearra McMahen, a fifth grade student at the school, was waiting for an after school reading program when she began to choke on a piece of candy. Her mom noticed that she was losing oxygen and called for help. At that time Sandy Fuller came to McMahen’s aid dislodging the candy from her throat with the use of abdominal thrusts, something she previously learned in a first aid course.

Fullers first aid training helped her assist a student in need. It is important for all staff to receive training like this so they can come to the aid of students and other staff when it is needed. With PublicSchoolWORKS’ First Aid course, staff can learn what do when faced with life threatening injuries and situations in the workplace, as well as the OSHA First Aid requirements. Are your staff up to date on necessary training to help intervene in critical situations? Has a member of your staff reacted to help a student in need? Share your stories with us on Twitter @PSWORKS

Source: Bismarck Tribune

EmployeeSafe Suite: Chemical Safety

In Maple Grove, Minnesota, four students were taken to the hospital after their ninth grade science teacher Matt Anchor dropped a match into a jug of methanol. According to a recent article on CBS Minnesota online, the students were taken to Hennepin County Medical Center to be treated for burns, but it is not clear if the students suffered chemical burns or were burned by fire. Fifteen-year-old Dane Neuberger stated that his face was actually on fire. Neuberger was seated in front of the demonstration, along with three other students, when the incident occurred.

Incidents like those at Maple Grove can leave school staff, parents and students distressed and wondering, “How could this situation have been prevented?” When handling dangerous chemicals, it is important for staff to be aware of all potential hazards. PSW’s Chemical Safety Course focuses on the importance of classifying chemicals based on their hazards and to predict how they will react in any given situation in order to control potentially hazardous situations. Does your staff receive training on how to handle potentially harmful chemicals? Share your comments with us on Twitter @PSWORKS.

Source: CBS Local News

StudentWatch Suite:

In recent news, one Massachusetts school was honored by Northeastern University for its efforts in battling bullying. Robert Adams Middle School was one of five schools recognized at the Stand Up 2011 anti-bullying rally with a Stand Up Award for Outstanding Anti-Bullying Programs. The award was given to the Robert Adams students by former Boston Bruin Hockey player Bob Sweeney. Also in attendance at the event were more than 4,000 students from about 150 Massachusetts schools.

What positive steps has your district taken to combat bullying? Providing your staff with training on bullying prevention is a great first step in combatting bullying. With PublicSchoolWORKS Bullying Prevention - Basics for Educators course, school staff are provided with useful information and practical applications to recognize and respond to instances of bullying. The course covers what to do when you suspect bullying, what to do when you confirm that bullying has happened, intervention, monitoring, follow-up intervention and bullying prevention.


Source: Holliston News Online

Spotlight: School Safety

At Classen School of Advanced Studies in Oklahoma, three girls were almost crushed to death when they went into an elevator shaft to see if they could open the doors from the inside. According to the Huffington Post, when the girls tried to leave the elevator, they accidentally hit the elevator call button which brought the elevator down on top of them. Oklahoma City Public Schools has stated that they are taking the incident seriously, a local television station KFOR reported. According to the article, the district implied that inspections for this elevator were not taking place on a regular schedule.

It is important for schools to ensure that proper inspections are taking place on the schedule recommended by the elevator manufacturer and that they have the documentation of inspections in order to foster a safe school environment. In addition, it is important for districts to provide a mechanism for staff to report safety concerns and to track these concerns to ensure that they are addressed.

With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Staff Safety Reporting System and its Reporting a Safety Hazard course, districts can ensure that the systems are in place to quickly deal with safety issues. The Staff Safety Reporting System provides staff with the means to report any and all safety issues and helps administrators to track safety issues to resolution. The Reporting a Safety Hazard course helps staff recognize the value of reporting safety issues and encourages them to report quickly so issues can be resolved. Does your staff have an effective means to report safety concerns? Share your stories with us on Twitter @PSWORKS.

Source: The Huffington Post

StudentWatch Suite: Bullying

According to a news report on ABC, a 15-year old Ohio student was brutally attacked by his fellow classmate because of his sexual orientation. According to the news report, the attacker waited for the student to enter the classroom and then began to repeatedly punch the student in the head. The attack was caught on video and resulted in two broken teeth for the victim. The boy’s mother, Rebecca Collins of Chillicothe, OH, has filed charges. The victim later reported that previous incidences of bullying toward him had taken place at his school.


With increases in the number of bullying reports and the seriousness of bullying incidents taking place, it is important for districts to provide tool for students and for students to know that these tools are available. With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Bullying - Tell Someone video, districts drive home the message that bullying will not be tolerated and encourages students to report bullying concerns. With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Bullying Reporting System, districts provide students with a means to report issues before they escalate. What kind of tools does your district offer to encourage students to speak out against bullying? Share your thoughts with us on Twitter @PSWORKS.

Source: ABC News