1	KEEPING NEW JERSEY’S SCHOOLS SAFE NJPTA Annual Conference Friday, November 16, 2007
2	Agenda Why Have a Safety & Security Plan State Administrative Code Strategic Resources Hot Topics Best Practice Tips School Security Task Force Recommendations
3	There is a sense of security in knowing we have a plan for crisis intervention. Knowing what to do and when to do it, keeps crisis from becoming chaos.
4	What is a Crisis? “An unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending, especially one with the distinct possibility of a highly undesirable out-come.” A crisis is a situation where schools could be faced with inadequate information, and insufficient time and resources, but in which leaders must make one or many crucial decisions. Range in intensity Can happen at anytime Can happen anywhere
5	Why Have a Plan? 4.2 million youth have asthma attacks (some in schools) 4 million children and adolescents injured at school 582,800 incidents of violent crime in school (2004) 200,000 playground injuries 107,400 incidents of serious violent crime (2004) 1,285 suicides (age 15-18) in community (2003-04) 51,000 students hurt on school buses (2001-03) 36,000 chemical exposures in schools (2003)
6	Public Local Education Agency Requirements New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:16-5.1 School Safety Plans
7	Administrative Code 6A:16-5.1 School Safety Plans Adopted by the New Jersey State Board of Education on September 6, 2006 Code location: www.state.nj.us/njded/code/proposed/title6a/chap16.pdf Administrative Code 6A:16-5.1, School Safety plans, effective as of October 2006
8	New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:16-5.1 School Safety Plans Each Local Education Agency (LEA) is required to have a safety and security plan. Policies, procedures & mechanisms requirement, including purposes – 5.1(a) Shall provide for the prevention of, intervention in, response to and recovery from emergency and crisis situations – 5.1 (a)2
9	Who, What, Where, & How How will a program or school operate during a crisis? Define: What should happen When At whose direction Create an organizational system: Assign staff to a specific function Assign back-up staff members to each function
10	New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:16-5.1 School Safety Plans Safety and Security Plans should be developed and reviewed in consultation with key stakeholders-5.1(b)
11	New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:16-5.1 School Safety Plans Safety and Security Plans should be consistent with the format and content established by the Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force & the Commissioner of Ed. – 5.1(b)1
12	School Safety Plans Content and Format School Safety and Security Manual: Best Practices Guidelines School Safety and Security Audit Checklist School Security Task Force Recommendations School Administrator Procedures: Responding to Critical Incidents LEA Minimum Requirements (Forthcoming)
13	6A:16-5.1 Continued Annual review & update – 5.1(b)2 Dissemination – 5.1(c) Annual in-service training for all district employees – 5.1(d) Training for new employees – 5.1(d)1
14	School Violence Awareness Week N.J.A.C. 6A:16-5.2 Annually, all school districts and charter schools are required to observe School Violence Awareness Week during the week beginning with the third Monday in October, which is October 15-19, 2007. Organize activities to prevent school violence Must invite law enforcement officials to join the discussions with school staff www.state.nj.us/education/students/safety/violence.htm
15	Law Enforcement Operations in Schools N.J.A.C. 6A:16-6 School districts are required to adopt and implement policies and procedures to ensure cooperation between school staff and law enforcement authorities The policies and procedures must include an agreement or memorandum of understanding with appropriate law enforcement authorities
16	Coordination on School Safety & Security
17	Help
18	Strategic Resources to Keep Schools Safe & Secure
19	Strategies Provide School Safety and Security Training for public and non public schools and districts Department Onsite Technical Assistance Review of School Safety & Security Plans Security Inspections- visits of school Target Hardening Threat Assessment School Safety & Security Database Audit Updates due November 2007
20	Resources School Safety & Security Manual: Best Practices Guidelines- 2^nd Generation Disseminated January 2007 School Administrator Procedures: Responding to Critical Incidents Disseminated October 22, 2007 School Security Web Site Launched January 2007
21	School Security Web Site Provides school officials, students and parents with easily accessible safety and security information Contains training announcements, funding opportunities, safety and security bulletins, links to other resources and access to the password protected School Safety Center www.nj.gov/njded/schools/security
22	Web site
23	Web site (con't.)
24	Web site - Links
25	SCHOOL SECURITY “HOT TOPICS”
26	Internet Safety It is important to be aware of what your children see and hear on the Internet, who they meet, and what they share about themselves online. There are both positive and negative implications to new technology. The internet is a place where children communicate with their friends, meet people with similar interest. Social networking sites incorporate instant messaging, chatrooms, profiles, pictures, E-mail, and blogging all in one site.
27	Parent Tips about the Internet Establish guidelines and rules for using the Internet in your home. Keep it public. Place the family computer in a common room in the house. Know what your child likes to do online and ask questions about his/her online activities. Talk with your children about the positives and negatives of the Internet. www.netsmartz411.org
28	How can my child be safer while using a social networking site? Talk to your children about: The possible risks and future repercussions. Their online activities. View their profile or blog together. Do not give out personal information, such as names, school, city, or e-mail address. This includes making or posting plans and activities on the site. Posting pictures online; once an image is posted anywhere on the Internet (even on a profile with private settings), it may never be completely erased from the Internet, even if it is deleted. Coming to you or another trusted adult if he or she ever feels threatened or uncomfortable about something online.
29	CYBERBULLYING Sending cruel, vicious and sometimes threatening messages or pictures. Creating websites that have stories, cartoons, pictures, and jokes ridiculing others. Breaking into an email account and sending vicious or embarrassing material to others. Engaging someone in IM (instant messaging), tricking that person into revealing sensitive personal information, and forwarding that information to others. Taking a picture of a person in the locker room using a digital phone camera and sending the picture to others. SOURCE: Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use (CSRIU)
30	School Shootings Research has shown that schools across the nation are more vulnerable to domestic attacks in the form of school violence. This is even more evident over the last nine months including recent acts of school violence. In this school year alone there have been 70 School-Related Violent Deaths in the U.S. (as of 6/3/07) 222 wounded 157 acts of violence (Source: Angels of Columbine)
31	"Parent/Guardian" Parent/Guardian Roles and Responsibilities Before, During and After Emergencies
32	Parent/Guardian Roles & Responsibilities Provide accurate emergency contact information to your child's school and notify the school if it changes. Local telephone service may be disrupted so you may want to list an out-of-state contact on the emergency card, as calls may still be made out of the area while incoming calls are affected. Impress upon your child(ren) the need to follow directions of any school personnel in times of an emergency. Do not telephone the school. Telephone lines may be needed for emergency communication. The school may provide a direct phone number to contact to receive update information regarding emergencies.
33	Parent/Guardian Roles & Responsibilities Do not go to the school until notified to do so. In the event of a serious emergency, students will be kept at their schools, or evacuated to an alternate location. You will be notified of when students will be release and the reunification location. Parents should be patient and understanding with the student release process. For added safety, parents and guardians most likely will be required to show identification prior to picking up child(ren). Please instruct your child to remain with school personnel until you, or a designee, arrives. Understand that your cooperation is necessary in any emergency, for both the safety of staff and students, and the expedient reunification with your child.
34	GENERAL BEST PRACTICE TIPS
35	BEST PRACTICE TIP Exercises and Drills All program staff should be involved in training exercises. Training is an ongoing process that requires periodic practice. Involve students (If possible) If possible, practice during interesting times Exercises should be conducted within the building/site and with emergency responders (law enforcement, fire department, EMS, etc.) After all drills are completed plans must be assessed and updated as needed.
36	Types of Emergency Drills Active Shooter - Weapons on site Biological - Hazard Materials Bomb Threat - Bringing an explosive device on site Chemical Inside - Lab Custodial Gas Leak - Propane, Ammonia, etc Terrorist - Domestic and International
37	BEST PRACTICE TIP Roles & Responsibilities All staff need to know what their roles are during an incident. Train students in the program’s safety and security plan. All students need to know what their roles are during an incident. Parents/guardians need to know what their roles and responsibilities are during a crisis.
38	BEST PRACTICE TIP Parent Involvement Inform parents about their roles during a crisis. Know the value of a parent handbook that outlines emergency procedures in advance. Implement a process for students, parents/guardians or community members to report potential threats.
39	"Support children when there is..." Support children when there is an issue to be reported. Make children feel comfortable discussing any problems with them. Be aware of violent warning signs displayed by their child(ren) or their child’s peers. Ask questions when necessary. Know the procedure for reporting problems to school officials and keep reporting hotline numbers handy. Also be sure their children know the procedures for reporting any kind of trouble. Help their children constructively stand up against bullying or violence. Share observations any suggestions with the school and/or administrators
40	"Never ever" Never ever, ever, ever, say the following…… “IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN HERE!”
41	School Security Task Force Recommendations Submitted to Governor Corzine September 2007
42	Key Recommendations Distribution of Model Policies for Law Enforcement - Attorney General Directive 2007-1 and a “companion” document for School Administrators- School Administrator Procedures: Responding to Critical Incidents. Active Shooter, Bomb Threat, Lockdown, Evacuation, PIO Joint Training for County Prosecutors & County School Superintendents. This training took place on Monday, October 15, 2007. Update the Memorandum of Agreement between Education and Law Enforcement to include annual review of the model policies. Awaiting final review.
43	Key Recommendations Enhanced Training for School Resource Officers on the model policies. Develop a video training tool on the model procedures to be used as a part of an in-service training for school administrators and teachers. In progress The creation of local school security councils/ working groups which would all key stakeholders would have representation on. Amend current regulations on drills to include drills and exercises for bomb threats, active shooter scenarios, emergency evacuation, lockdown and shelter-in-place.
44	"THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF..." THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR SCHOOLS IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
45	"School Security Unit" School Security Unit 100 River View Plaza Trenton, NJ 609-292-5935 schoolsecurity@doe.state.nj.us www.state.nj.us/njded/schools/security
46	Questions