New Jersey Education Association: Demonstrating School Emergency Preparedness Leadership

The inaugural New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) School Emergency Preparedness Conference was held Saturday, October 24, 2009 at the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick, New Jersey, thanks to the hard work of the NJEA School Emergency Task Force under the leadership of its Chairperson Joseph Coppola.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Coppola expressed the importance of emergency preparedness because it has a direct impact on the health, safety and welfare of schools and communities. Barbara Keshishian, President of the NJEA, congratulated the task force and expressed enthusiasm for future emergency preparedness initiatives. Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire, whose leadership has been instrumental in numerous school safety initiatives, also addressed the attendees and affirmed the importance of their roles in safeguarding students.

As the keynote speaker for the event, I was privileged to present a 2½ hour program titled Transforming Our Schools: The Heart and Brick of School Security to educators, educational support professionals and law enforcement officials from throughout the state.

A portion of the program was developed in response to a directive of the State of New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner as stated in an October 22, 2007 memo:

"Each school district, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:16-5.1, must develop and implement plans, procedures and mechanisms that provide for the safety and security of the district’s schools. The plans must be developed in consultation with law enforcement agencies and be consistent with the format and content established by the Commissioner of Education. Additionally, an annual review and update, as appropriate, are required. Therefore, within 45 days of this memorandum, each district is required to use these procedures as a model to revise, as needed, its existing procedures."

The dedication and commitment of the participants was evident from their enthusiastic interaction throughout the day. Attendees addressed their concerns on emergency preparedness issues and the need for developing an ongoing school safety training curriculum. Each attendee received a copy of my newest book; Listen To Their Cries: Calling the Nation to Renewal from Columbine to Virginia Tech, as sponsored by the NJEA.

The NJEA is to be commended for proactive approach to school emergency preparedness and encouraged to collaborate with schools, law enforcement agencies, government and educational associations on follow up safe school initiatives and compliance issues.

READ MORE

New Jersey Education Association	Click here to visit site
NJDOE—Keeping Kids Safe, Safe Schools Policy and Guidance	Click here to visit site
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON CRISIS PLANNING: A GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES	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
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

October 2009 Initiatives: Character, Achievement, Crisis Planning

Bergen Community College Faculty Association
Transforming a Campus: Leadership, Vigilance, Collaboration
October 14, 2009

The Bergen Community College Faculty Association, in partnership with the New Jersey Education Association held a workshop dinner for 300 faculty and staff of the college on Wednesday, October 14, 2009.

As the keynote speaker for the event, I presented Transforming a Campus: Leadership, Vigilance, Collaboration. The presentation highlighted an honest review of contemporary concerns of violence and crisis situations at American campuses. It also emphasized the importance of sound crisis preparedness and threat assessment principles.

The U.S. Department of Education document titled Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Schools and Communities as well as the U.S. Secret Service document Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide to Managing Threatening Situations and to Creating Safe School Climates were punctuated throughout the presentation.

An honest overview of the Virginia Tech Tragedy was also made since it represents unique insights on crisis management and threat assessment deficiencies.

Morris County Council of Education Associations
Creating a Culture of Character and Achievement
October 15, 2009

On Thursday, October 15, 2009, the Morris County Council of Education Associations held a dinner workshop at Zeris Inn in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. As the invited speaker for the event, I presented a program titled: Creating a Culture of Character and Achievement.

The program included interaction from educators from schools throughout Morris County and highlighted practical programs that have contributed to a culture of character and achievement in their schools and districts.

National Conference on Ethics in America at West Point
Senior Leader
October 21, 2009

On Wednesday, October 21, 2009 I had the privilege to return for my third consecutive year to the National Conference on Ethics in America at the United States Military Academy to serve as a Senior Leader.  The theme for this year's conference was Sharing with Integrity. 

The goal of the conference for college delegates from throughout the nation is threefold:

1. FOSTER a national conscience and awareness of ethical behavior in the undergraduate community.
2. ENHANCE collegiate code of ethics and honor systems through the diversity of experiences and value systems of students from colleges and universities.
3. ENDOW students with opportunities to discuss issues of character and integrity with athletes, business and government officials and leaders of character across varying fields of enterprise in order to take-away invaluable lessons and experiences.

Bergen County Education Association
Creating a Culture of Character and Achievement
October 21, 2009

In the evening, I traveled to Teaneck, New Jersey to deliver a keynote titled Creating a Culture of Character and Achievement to over 200 educators of the Bergen County Education Association.  This event was a follow up to my previous keynote for their association titled Transforming Our Schools: The Heart and Brick of School Security.