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