Morris County Professional Counselors: Exercising Leadership In Response To Early Warning Signs

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"In a society where our children are too often left feeling abandoned, the school counselor can play a vital role in building a community of trust and restoring hope."

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On Tuesday, January 29, 2008, members of the Morris County Professional Counselors Association met for an evening of networking and professional development. The event, sponsored by St. John's University, was held at the Zeris Inn, Mountain Lakes, NJ.

After catching up with colleagues over hors d'oeuvres, attendees were given an update on the student recruitment efforts at St. John's University. In addition to a video preview, Andrew Ippolito, Senior Associate Director of Admission, stressed the university's commitment to service—to students, to faculty, to community.

I was privileged to address the audience on the topic of Exercising Leadership In Response To Early Warning Signs. It has been almost ten years since the release of Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools and many schools are still not prepared. 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 early warning signs are understood and intervention is administered when necessary.

In light of the continued school and campus violence throughout the nation, this evening served as a reminder to empower the counselors to foster a culture of trust and hope within their schools. The leadership, advocacy and collaboration of the school counselor can play a vital role in providing a safe school environment.

AGENDA

• Why Are We Here?
  • Security: Essential to an
    Effective Learning Environment
  • Role of the School Counselor
• Contemporary Concerns
  • Crisis of Leadership
  • Culture of Violence
  • Shattered Communities
  • Filling the Void
• Maximizing Student Achievement
• Early Warning, Timely Response
  • Characteristics of a Safe School
  • Early Warning Signs
  • Imminent Warning Signs
  • Intervention
  • Develop, Maintain And Work The Plan
• Renewing Your Passion and Purpose
• American Military Tribute
• Conclusion

The Morris County Professional Counselors Association, thanks to the leadership of President Fred Douglas and the coordination of Vice President Dr. Kathy Krol, continues to provide quality professional development events for its membership.

READ MORE

American School Counselor Association	Click here to visit site
New Jersey School Counselor Association	Click here to visit site
Morris County Professional Counselors Association	Click here to visit site
Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools	Click here to visit site
Safeguarding Our Children: An Action Guide	Click here to visit site
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON CRISIS PLANNING: A GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES	Click here to visit site
THE FINAL REPORT AND FINDINGS OF THE SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVE: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF SCHOOL ATTACKS IN THE UNITED STATES	Click here to visit site
USDOE—Character Education and Civic Engagement Technical Assistance Center	Click here to visit site
THREAT ASSESSMENT IN SCHOOLS: A GUIDE TO MANAGING THREATENING SITUATIONS AND TO CREATING SAFE SCHOOL CLIMATES	Click here to visit site

Washington School Parents: Informed, Interested, Involved

Parents of students at the Washington school were encouraged to

"Get informed, be interested and stay involved with your children. Your presence is the most powerful influence in their lives."

Thanks to the coordination of Maria Kanik, Parent Liaison and the leadership and support of Principal Bob Wendelken, a group of parents was able to benefit from a presentation on Technology Concerns for Parents and Educators. The parents were very enthusiastic and grateful that they attended the event.

Following are two items from the presentation for your review and reflection:

[Reprinted from the Powerpoint presentation]

Model of a Parent in Action
Informed, Interested, Involved

• Reasonableness
• Kindness/Calmness – "Let nothing disturb you."
• Charity above all
• Patience – especially with corrections
• Prevention not Repression
• Corrections through expression of disappointment (only effective when love and trust are the foundation)
• Sincere interest in things important to the child
• Earn the child's trust

READ MORE

TEENS & TECHNOLOGY Parents. The Anti-Drug.

Click here to visit site

Pennsylvania Educators and Law Enforcement Gather For School Safety Seminar

Educators and law enforcement officials from throughout Pennsylvania gathered in Fort Washington, PA on Thursday, January 17, 2008 to focus on ways of preventing school violence and enhancing school safety. Attendees represented public, private and charter schools.

The seminar was organized by Henry M. Quinlan, Esq., President of The OMNI Publishing Company. Mr. Quinlan has extensive experience organizing school safety educational venues.

Since the Columbine High School tragedy in 1999, I have been privileged to travel throughout the United States with Mr. Quinlan and a team of school security professionals to conduct seminars for thousands of law enforcement and educators. Our venues included New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Virginia, Illinois, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Minnesota.

SEMINAR TOPICS

• School Safety & Social Networking Sites
• School Safety & Crisis Management
• Sources of Violence in Schools
• Threat Assessments
• Preventing Violence at After-School Events
• Collaboration between Police and School Administrators

SEMINAR SPEAKERS

Vincent J. Bove, CPP, Board Certified Protection Professional, Board Certified Crime Prevention Specialist, Certified Law Enforcement Instructor, and U.S. Department of Justice Certified Community Anti-Terrorism Awareness Trainer.

Jeffrey A. Daniels, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Indiana University Bloomington, IN, Department. of Counseling and Educational Psychology.

Jay Hammes, Athletic, Activities, Security Director at William Horlick High School, Racine, WI.

Sgt. Corey MacDonald, Esq., Prosecuting Attorney, Portsmouth, NH, Police Department and leading expert on MySpace.com and other social networking sites.

Kimberly A. Nardone, M.S., LMHC Psychotherapist/Trained Mediator.

PRINCIPLES OF CRISIS MANAGEMENT

As the speaker entrusted with crisis management concerns, my presentation was titled Transforming Our Schools: Principles of Crisis Management which covered:

• Why Are We Here?
  • Any City, USA – School Mission Statement
  • Security: Essential to an Effective Learning Environment
  • Compliance vs. Commitment
• Contemporary Concerns
  • Crisis of Leadership
  • Culture of Violence
  • Shattered Communities
  • Filling the Void
• Key Role of the Educator
• Principles of Crisis Management
  • Practical Information on Crisis Planning:
    A Guide for Schools and Communities
    • Mitigation / Prevention
    • Preparedness
    • Response
    • Recovery
• Culture of Preparedness / Unity of Effort
  • Leadership
  • Vigilance
  • Collaboration
    • Understanding Our Roles
    • Incident Command System
• Lessons Learned: Virginia Tech Tragedy
• USDOE / FBI / Secret Service Document Review
  • Practical Information on Crisis Planning:
    A Guide for Schools and Communities – May 2003
  • Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools – August 1998
  • Safeguarding Our Children: An Action Guide – April 2000
  • The School Shooter: A Threat Assessment Perspective – September 2000
  • The Final Report and Findings of the Safe School Initiative – May 2002
  • Threat Assessment in Schools – May 2002
  • Helping Your Child Become a Responsible Citizen – February 2003
• In Remembrance: Honoring American Military
• Conclusion

It was an honor to work with a team of professionals dedicated to school security and to address educators and law enforcement officials who are truly at the front line of safeguarding and transforming American schools and communities.

READ MORE

PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON CRISIS PLANNING: A GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES — May 2003	Click here to visit site
Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools — August 1998	Click here to visit site
Safeguarding Our Children: An Action Guide — April 2000	Click here to visit site
The School Shooter: A Threat Assessment Perspective — September 2000	Click here to visit site
THE FINAL REPORT AND FINDINGS OF THE SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVE: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF SCHOOL ATTACKS IN THE UNITED STATES — May 2002	Click here to visit site
THREAT ASSESSMENT IN SCHOOLS: A GUIDE TO MANAGING THREATENING SITUATIONS AND TO CREATING SAFE SCHOOL CLIMATES — May 2002	Click here to visit site
Helping Your Child Become a Responsible Citizen — February 2003	Click here to visit site

FBI Safe Streets Task Force: Gang Arrests in Essex County

On January 10, 2008, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force announced the arrest of members of the "793 Bloods", a subgroup within the "Bloods," one of the largest street gangs in the U.S. The 793 Bloods, originated in 2007, maintain control of their "territory" in Newark, New Jersey through violence and intimidation. These arrests—on charges such as Crack Distribution, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Armed Robbery—emphasize the inseparable connection of gangs with guns and drugs.

The Task Force, which consists of The Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Attorneys Office, Newark Police Department, Essex County Sheriff's Office, East Orange Police Department, Essex County Department of Corrections, Irvington Police Department, Hudson County Sheriff's Office, Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, and the Cranford Police Department, must be commended for their dedication to the protection of the community.

Ongoing Problem

An escalation of violence in Manhattan high schools has been linked to a turf war between rival gangs Dominicans Don't Play (DDP) and Trinitarios. The New York Post reports one shooting death, three shot and wounded and at least nine others stabbed or slashed.

"Both of these gangs are recruiting at schools all over New York and in New Jersey," one gang investigator said.

In an investigative report on Gangs in the Military, reporter Chris Blatchford of Fox 11 News in Los Angeles, uncovers the presence of gang members in the military, who learn warfare on sophisticated weapons and return to the streets battle hardened. (see video report below)

The recent movie American Gangster, starring Denzel Washington, highlights the violence of the drug world. The story was based on the real-life exploits of Frank Lucas, a major figure in the drug trade on the streets of Harlem in the 1970s. The violence, disregard for human life and destruction that the "syndicate" or gang wreak on the community is graphically presented. (see movie trailer below)

And my article titled Gangs, Guns and Drugs—Community Awareness and Response, published in the March 2005 edition of The New Jersey Police Chief, emphasizes that gangs are a flashpoint for violence and are tragically becoming more deeply rooted in the very fabric our communities from coast to coast.

Community Response

Americans must be aware of the pandemic pestilence of the gang culture. In addition to the enforcement efforts of the gang task forces, we must respond with a collaborative effort of educators, parents, law enforcement and community leaders to support our youth and keep them from joining the gangs. We must address the brokenness of American society and the deterioration of family life that drives our youth to the false allurement of the gang as their surrogate "family."

Fox11News Gangs in the Military (6:45) American Gangster Trailer (1:55)

<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgwfVJIoBNM">Play the clip on YouTube</A>

READ MORE

Juvenile Justice Bulletin Preventing Adolescent Gang Involvement (PDF document)	Click here to visit site
SafeYouth.org Gangs Fact Sheet	Click here to visit site
National Youth Gang Center	Click here to visit site
National Gang Intelligence Center	Click here to visit site
New York Post Article	Click here to visit site
FBI Gang Resources	Click here to visit site
FBI Press Release	Click here to visit site
Gangs, Guns and Drugs— Community Awareness and Response Vincent J. Bove—March 2005	Click here to visit site

Fairleigh Dickinson University: Committed to Public Safety

Fairleigh Dickinson University, under the leadership of David Miles, Director of Public Safety, is committed to providing a safe campus environment for students and faculty.

On Wednesday, January 09, 2008, a cadre of public safety professionals was certified under the New Jersey Security Officer Registration Act. SORA was enacted on August 31, 2004 with associated regulations and the requirement that all private security officers attend a 24 hour training course. The course must be retaken every two years. The regulations also require that law enforcement officers who perform the duties of security personnel must be compensated by his/her department or become a registered security officer of a duly licensed security company.

The course is taught by certified instructors who have successfully completed a 40 hour train-the-trainer program developed by the New Jersey State Police and includes instruction in:

• Homeland Security
• Incident Command System
• Report Writing
• Use of Force
• Theft Prevention
• Ethics

Although in-house security or public safety professionals, as in the case of Fairleigh Dickinson University, are not required to be certified according to SORA, FDU is to be commended for its commitment to safety and security by going beyond the status quo and having its professionals certified.

This training and certification, completed through the dedication of certified instructors Patrick Fay (Lieutenant of the Hackensack Police Department and President of the North Jersey Regional Crime Prevention Officers Association) and Allen C. Kriney, stands as a model of dedication to the security profession and to all of the members of its educational community.

READ MORE

Fairleigh Dickinson University Department of Public Safety	Click here to visit site
NJRCPOA	Click here to visit site
State of New Jersey Security Officer Registration Act	Click here to visit site
State of New Jersey Security Officer Registration Act FAQs	Click here to visit site
Unity of Effort: Law Enforcement and Private Partnerships	Click here to visit site

Rich "Goose" Gossage: Hall of Famer a Gentle Giant

In the early 1980s, while confidant to the New York Yankees, I developed a rapport with several players who were not only great athletes but were also men of character. In particular, I was impressed with the character of Bucky Dent, Brian Doyle, Ron Guidry, Johnny Oates, Dick Howser and Willie Randolph.

I also had the privilege of getting to know Rich "Goose" Gossage, an extraordinary athlete and a person of character, who was elected into National Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday, January 8, 2008.

Rich Gossage was a fierce competitor, a relief pitcher with a menacing and overpowering fast ball who always had fire in his eyes and feared no hitter. Make no mistake, "The Goose" was known for his occasional rantings against the media. Yet, I always found him to be respectful, thoughtful and courteous in all of my observations and interactions with him off the field.

Following is a letter to the fans written by Rich Gossage for inclusion in my book And on the Eighth Day God Created the Yankees published in 1981.

[Reprinted from And on the Eighth Day God Created the Yankees]

Dear Fans:

I was never a good student, so I am extremely appreciative of my athletic abilities. Sports have helped me set a wholesome pattern of living for myself. While many of my peers were hanging out and wasting time I was applying myself to improving my athletic talents. As a result of my participation in sports, the qualities of discipline, loyalty and teamwork have become important aspects of my life.

Sports can teach these same values to everyone. I am glad that boys and girls have the opportunity to become involved in sports. I failed my first year in school, so my younger sister caught up with me. Growing up side by side with her made me realize that athletic opportunities for girls were so very limited. But now girls can play on many different athletic teams and thereby enjoy a more active sports life. Therefore, the deeper values offered by sports can now be experienced firsthand by both girls and boys.

Make use of all the opportunities you have to receive a solid education. I had been in a fine parochial school until my parents could no longer afford it. But now my career makes a fine education possible for my children—an education which will help them grow totally in mind, body and spirit. I am happy that I will be able to help them learn about their religion and their God.

Rich "Goose" Gossage

I would like to offer my congratulations to Rich "Goose" Gossage on his election to Baseball's Hall of Fame.

[Reprinted from the Red Orbit website – www.redorbit.com]

Goose Gossage the Lone Player Voted to the Baseball Hall of Fame

MILWAUKEE _ Rich "Goose" Gossage began his day by shoveling six inches of snow off his driveway and sidewalk Tuesday in Colorado Springs.

A few hours later, he was engulfed by an avalanche of emotion.

After eight failed attempts, Gossage was finally elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving 85.8 percent of the 543 ballots cast by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

"It was very emotional, off the charts," said Gossage, one of the most feared late-inning relievers in the game during a 22-year career. "I can't even describe the feeling."

Gossage, 56, was the only former player on the ballot to receive the requisite 75 percent of the votes for election. In his next-to-last year on the writers' ballot, Jim Rice received 72.2 percent of the votes cast, falling a mere 16 short.

Gossage said he hoped Rice would get in next year, and also voiced support for Andre Dawson and Bert Blyleven, who received 65.9 percent and 61.9 percent of the vote, respectively.

"I think Jim Rice does belong in the Hall of Fame," said Gossage, who retired with 310 career saves. "I've said all along that no hitter scared me, but Jim Rice came the closest."

Mark McGwire continued to be ostracized for his possible connection to steroid use, receiving the exact same number of votes _ 128 _ as in his first try. Because two fewer votes were cast than a year ago, McGwire's percentage rose from 23.5 percent to 23.6 percent.

Gossage empathized with voters struggling with what to do with players from the so-called "Steroid Era" and said it was time for all who cheated to come clean.

"This steroid thing is hanging over baseball," Gossage said in a conference call with baseball writers. "Maybe we can put this behind us and give you guys a defining path in how you should vote for these guys.

"I'm glad the Mitchell Report was done. I think it was something that needed to be done. The best thing they can do is come clean and `fess up, and life will go on. It is important to take care of this, because of the great history in the game that took place before these guys."

Gossage said he now considered Roger Clemens in the same category as Barry Bonds, as elite players whose accomplishments are in question because of suspected steroid use. Bonds is facing charges of lying to a grand jury about steroid use and Clemens was accused in the Mitchell Report of being injected with steroids by trainer Brian McNamee.

"I think they are on the same level now, no question about it," said Gossage. "They had some of their best years at a time when some Hall of Famers' talents were diminishing.

"If they find they did do performance-enhancing drugs and HGH, I think it needs to be dealt with. There's too much at stake with the great players that came before them. Now we've got to figure out who's telling the truth."