North Bergen School Administrators: Enthusiastic, Energized, and Empowered

Many Yankee fans rejoiced when, in a stunning turnaround, Alex Rodriguez was re-signed by their cherished team. His whopping contract, worth a potential $305 million, has been deemed a good business deal for the Yankees by some analysts. The economic impact of
A-Rod to the Yankees over the 10 years of the contract has been estimated at $450 million.

So what does this have to do with the North Bergen School administrators? Is it only a geographic significance to this community nestled a stone’s throw, although a long one, from Yankee Stadium just across the picturesque Hudson River?

I believe it speaks to the bigger picture of America’s priorities when it comes to the support of our teachers and school administrators. What return-on-investment is more important to the future of our nation than the education of our youth? The role of the leaders of our schools and the positive impact to society of the students entrusted to their care should be what grabs the headlines.

On November 28, 2007, through the leadership of Superintendent of Schools Robert J. Dandorph, I was privileged to speak at the North Bergen School District’s administrator development day. From the outset, I was impressed with the enthusiasm and energy of those in attendance. Schools represented included:

• North Bergen High School
• Franklin School
• Horace Mann School
• Lincoln School
• McKinley School
• Robert Fulton School
• Robert Fulton School Annex

My task for the day was to encourage and empower the administrators in their vital role in the mission of the school district which includes:

The constant to all factions in our school system is the result for which we all aim: a student with intellectual tools for success in the world; with economic skills suitable to his/her place in the labor market; with social attitudes and values congenial to life as an individual and community member.

The morning presentation, entitled Transforming Our Schools: The Hearts and Bricks of School Security, looked at the current concerns of a crisis of leadership as well as a culture of violence. These unfortunate trends in American society are like two trains traveling full-speed about to collide with one another. The only effective emergency brake is character and vigilance.

This presentation, which included a lively interchange, focused on:

• Shattered Communities (Broken Families and the Gang Culture)
• Filling the Void Through Drug and Alcohol Abuse
• American Youth Concerns on Safety and Security
• Principles of Diversity
• Understanding Our Roles to Cultivate Cultures of Preparedness and Character
• Making a Difference by Touching Hearts and Transforming Schools and Communities

The afternoon presentation, MySpace and Internet Security Concerns for Educators, provided an overview of the internet and online communities as sources for observing the pulse of their students, schools and communities. Again, enlightening interaction among participants added to the value of the session.

The North Bergen School District is in good hands. The dedicated administrators that I met have the welfare of their students at the heart of their mission.

If the hope of America lies in its schools and communities, then the role of the educator is paramount. We must do all we can to support our schools in the important mission of preparing the future citizens and leaders of our nation.

READ MORE

Freedom Writers: The Transforming Power of a Teacher	Click here to visit site
The Essence of Teaching: Character, Conviction and Courage	Click here to visit site
Diversity Alert: Hangman's Noose a Symbol of Bigotry	Click here to visit site
Virginia Tech Tragedy: A Crisis of Leadership	Click here to visit site
A Lesson for Educators: Little Rascals in Bored of Education	Click here to visit site
A-Rod's dollars make sense for Yankees Yahoo! Sports	Click here to visit site

Florida Schools Lockdown: Caution Over Convenience

On November 7, 2007, Broward County school officials, in collaboration with the Broward County Sheriff's Office, ordered all of the county's public and private schools into lockdown. This decision, which resulted in the lockdown of over 300 schools in Broward and surrounding counties, must be applauded as officials acted with an abundance of caution and made the safety of students and staff their highest priority. Schools were in lockdown for approximately three hours.

The Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Schools and Communities document, published by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, stresses that we must make decisions quickly in responding to a crisis:

• Expect to be surprised
• Assess the situation and choose the appropriate response
• Respond within seconds
• Notify appropriate emergency responders and the school crisis response team
• Evacuate or lock down the school as appropriate

The leaders that made the decisions to lockdown their schools are to be commended. Though some of the schools which were in lock down were many miles away from the incident, they remembered that in a crisis situation we must EXPECT to be surprised. When there is uncertainty, we must remain on highest alert.

We must continue to work towards crisis preparedness at all our schools and campuses nationwide; and we must develop leaders who cultivate a culture of preparedness, a unity of effort and continual vigilance that upholds sound security and safety measures which are hallmarked by choosing an abundance of caution.

[Reprinted from the Sun-Sentinel website –
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/
sfl-flbschools1108nbnov08,0,2557382.story]

Schools locked down with sheriff's deputy killer on the run
Getaway vehicle abandoned near campuses
By Juan Ortega | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

As worries spread of a deputy killer on the loose, all 283 Broward County public and charter schools were locked down Wednesday for the first time. Some private schools and colleges also locked down their campuses.

Broward school officials made the countywide lockdown decision at the urging of the Broward Sheriff's Office. Investigators at the time didn't know the whereabouts of Michael Mazza, the suspect in the Wednesday morning slaying of Sheriff's Deputy Paul Rein. The shooting occurred in Pompano Beach, the getaway vehicle was found in Fort Lauderdale, but there was no sign of Mazza.

"Someone killed a deputy and we had no idea where he was," said Joe Melita, executive director of the special investigative crime unit for the Broward County School District. "Get on Interstate 95 and it's so easy to get from one end of the county to the other."

Melita said he helped decide to close access to all schools and keep students in classrooms. Melita said he couldn't recall another time in Broward in which a killer was on the loose during school hours. That, he said, led to the lockdown, which lasted more than three hours and ended at about 1 p.m., just after Mazza was arrested.

The district's countywide lockdown prompted the Archdiocese of Miami to also lock down all its 28 Catholic elementary and high schools in Broward, officials said.

"When we saw all Broward schools close, we felt we should follow that lead," said Kristen Hughes, the archdiocese's superintendent of elementary schools.

One of the archdiocese's schools, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, is a few blocks northeast of where the getaway vehicle was abandoned. That startled Annette Bell, whose son, Michael Formisano, is a 10th-grader there, she said.

"I was frantic and glued to the TV watching the news," said Bell, 47, of Weston.

Angela Porcayo, 41, of Fort Lauderdale, said she stayed calm, figuring her 11-year-old son, Juan, was safe in a classroom at Riverland Elementary. The school also is a few blocks from where the vehicle was abandoned.

"I was a bit scared, but I knew they have a lot of safety at school," Porcayo said.

Broward Community College locked down its Coconut Creek campus, which was about a mile west of where the shooting occurred. Also shut down was a BCC facility in Pembroke Pines, which is near a public charter school, officials said.

READ MORE

PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON CRISIS PLANNING: A GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES – May 2003

Click here to visit site

Everyday Heroes Serving the Nation: Reflect, Renew, Resolve

On November 6, 2007, the New Jersey offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation held their annual professional support conference. The purpose of this event is to celebrate the dignity of working for the FBI, remain focused on the criticality of its mission to protect communities and the nation, build camaraderie within the organization, and appreciate the many New Jersey success stories.

In his opening remarks to over 200 professional support employees, Special Agent in Charge Weysan Dun graciously thanked everyone for their dedication. SAC Dun noted that each attendee, as a member of the FBI family, was essential to the FBI's success and shared in the positive impact that the FBI is making not only to New Jersey but to the nation.

During his presentation, SAC Dun also shared his appreciation of the heraldry of the FBI seal which included:

• The circle of 13 stars denoting the FBI unity of purpose as exemplifed by the 13 original colonies.
• The peaked beveled edge surrounding the seal symbolizing the challenges facing the FBI and the ruggedness of the agency.
• The gold color in the seal which conveys the overall value of the FBI to the nation.
• The motto, "Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity" describes the motivating force behind the bureau.

Dorisse Shakir-Ullah, Administrative Officer of the Newark Division, followed SAC Dun and reminded the attendees of their invaluable work for the FBI. She stressed that each of them contributes in a way that benefits the bureau and society, thus the theme of this years conference, "Everything We Do Makes A Difference."

Assistant Supervisory Agent in Charge, Aaron T. Ford, thanked all attendees for their service to the FBI and Supervisory Special Agent, Marty F. Zielinski, reviewed the nuts and bolts relative to security and safety protocols.

As a featured speaker for the conference, I delivered a presentation entitled Everyday Heroes Serving the Nation – Renew, Reflect, Resolve.

Insights regarding current concerns for America, discussed during a conference planning session with FBI representatives Karen Spencer and Evelyn Lopez, were the focus of the presentation:

• Leadership Scandals and their Impact on Society
• Myspace and Internet Security Concerns
  for American Youth
• Gangs, Guns and Drugs
• School Violence
• Terrorism
• Principles of Diversity

A tribute to American Military Personnel concluded the presentation, along with practical solutions for restoring our nation’s moral compass through character, community and courage.

The dedication of those who keep the FBI running with their professional support cannot be underestimated. And our appreciation should know no bounds.

READ MORE

FBI	Click here to visit site
FBI Newark Office	Click here to visit site

Spotlight On: Major Devon M. Blake, United States Military Academy

In October 2007, I had the privilege of serving as a mentor and facilitator for The National Conference of Ethics in America as presented by the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic at the United States Military Academy.

During my 5 days at this extraordinary event, I was greatly impressed with the conference leadership skills of Major Devon M. Blake.

[About Major Devon M. Blake]

Major Devon Blake began her military career at West Point on July 1, 1991. Upon graduation in 1995, she branched into the Military Intelligence Corps and chose to go to the 2nd Infantry Division, Korea. There she served as the Iron Brigade Combat Team Assistant Intelligence Officer before extending her tour in order to become a Collection and Jamming Platoon Leader with the 102nd Military Intelligence Battalion. After 13 months as a platoon leader in Korea, she sought an aerial exploitation platoon at the 224th Military Intelligence Battalion, Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia. Following this time as a platoon leader, she then served as a company executive officer before taking over as the Battalion Intelligence Officer.

From August 1999 through March 2000, Major Blake deployed with the 10th Mountain Division to Bosnia-Herzegovina as the 2-15th Field Artillery Regimental Intelligence Officer. There her duties included the overall security for Eagle Base, incorporating the overall mission of security for Tuzla International Airport .

After returning to the U.S., Major Blake attended the Engineer Captains Career Course, followed by the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and simultaneously completed a Masters degree in Engineering Management. Upon completion of these courses, she was assigned to the 5th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Mechanized) as the Battalion Intelligence Officer. While assigned to the 5th Engineers, the 1st Engineer Brigade Commander assigned Major Blake to command his Brigade Headquarters Company. This command was truly an honor for a Military Intelligence Officer.

Upon completion of 19 months of command, Major Blake attended graduate school at the University of Virginia where she specialized in Curriculum and Instruction, focusing on ethics education and information technology. Major Blake now serves as the Education Officer in the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic at West Point.

She and her husband, Tim, have four children, Grayson (6), Gabriel (4), Abigail (3) and Malcolm (1).

Major Blake masterfully managed the conference, combining cordiality, professionalism and attention to detail. These qualities provided the direction needed to insure that the conference would be a lasting memory to all attendees.

Major Blake stands as a model of leadership and dedication to duty and is deserving of esteem for her service to this conference and to our nation.

READ MORE

Preparing Young Leaders: The Future of America – Part 1 of 5	Click here to visit site
Preparing Young Leaders: The Future of America – Part 2 of 5	Click here to visit site
Preparing Young Leaders: The Future of America – Part 3 of 5	Click here to visit site
Preparing Young Leaders: The Future of America – Part 4 of 5	Click here to visit site
Preparing Young Leaders: The Future of America – Part 5 of 5	Click here to visit site
National Conference on Ethics in America	Click here to visit site

Response to Virginia Tech Panel Report Released; FBI Community Leadership Award Conferred

Crisis of Leadership: A Response to the Virginia Tech Panel Report was recently released through www.vincentbove.com and reviewed in a Washington Post article and WRVA newsradio.

The response, written in an easy-to-understand format, draws attention to the deficiencies of crisis management of the Virginia Tech Tragedy on that fateful day in April 2007 and continues the call for the accountability of those responsible for the safety of students, faculty and staff at Virginia Tech.

In light of the continued school and campus violence throughout the nation, it is hoped that this will serve as a reminder to campuses throughout the nation to develop a culture of preparedness, unity of effort and sound leadership regarding safety protocols and emergency procedures.

"It has been eight years since Columbine and nine years since the release of Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools. It is inexcusable that any school or campus is not prepared. The problem is compounded by campus safety professionals who are inadequately paid, trained, retained or motivated. It is a sad commentary that we can put hundreds of millions of dollars into college athletic programs while many campus security programs suffer from a lack of resources. Where are our priorities?

"The entire educational community including students, parents, educators, counselors, administrators, security and law enforcement must rise to the occasion. Open and effective collaboration is necessary to insure that these life saving protocols are understood, documented, revised and practiced is critical."

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FBI Director's Community Leadership Award

On October 30, 2007, Mr. Bove received the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award from Special Agent in Charge Weysan Dun at the FBI’s Newark Field Office. This special award, presented on behalf of the Director of the FBI, was formally created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America. It is given annually to one individual from each field office.

[Vincent Bove's remarks upon receiving the award]

It is an honor to receive the FBI Director's Community Leadership award but it is also very humbling. There are so many individuals deserving of recognition and I would like to share this award with those I have recently met from throughout the nation.

Victims and Families of the Virginia Tech Tragedy

These families experienced the worst act of school violence in our nation's history. In my communications with many of them since the April 16 tragedy, I have found them to represent the Courage of America.

Future Leaders of America

Just last week at the National Conference on Ethics in America, I was privileged to serve college students from throughout the nation. These students of character assembled to exchange concerns and solutions for restoring the moral compass of our nation and represent the Hope of America.

Members of the INEOA

As a privileged speaker during the recent International Narcotics Officers Association's annual conference, I had the opportunity to interact with individuals representing local law enforcement as well as FBI, DEA and ICE. They clearly represent the Dedication of America.

Members of the FBI

Each of you, in all of the different roles within the FBI, are deserving of respect for the safeguarding our nation and represent the Commitment of America.

Members of our Armed Forces

At the end of each of my presentations, I always take a few moments to honor those in our military who represent the Service of America.

After one of these sessions, Marion Dooley, whose son Mark was killed in action while serving in Iraq, thanked me for remembering our soldiers and invited me to attend his military interment ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. In Arlington, she shared with me a letter given to her by her son Mark which was only to be opened upon his death. Encouraged by Mrs. Dooley, I shared this letter in a recent article since it represents the Honor of America.

I dedicate this award

• to each of you gathered here today,
• to our military personnel, especially Lt. Mark Dooley and his family,
• to the students from the National Conference on Ethics in America and students and teachers throughout the nation,
• to the members of the INEOA and all those in law enforcement, and
• to all of the victims and families of the Virginia Tech tragedy and other incidents of school violence.

READ MORE

Washington Post Article	Click here to visit site
WSET/ABC13 Virginia / TV News Report	Click here to visit site
Crisis of Leadership: A Response to the Virginia Tech Panel Report	Click here to visit site
Sacred Honor: Police Officer, Soldier, Patriot	Click here to visit site