Knowledge ~ School Safety A~Z

K is for Knowledge. 


As community members and parents we need to equip ourselves with knowledge.  The phrase "knowledge is power" is key.  I do not know how many incidents are adverted because of the preparation and planning of school personel and the knowledge they have in school safety.  I am thankful for their efforts.  We can never be totally prepared for an event, however the more knowledge that our students and students have, the greater the outcome will be and less damage will occur.

Are you learing more about school safety?  Share your knowledge!

Juxtaposition ~ School Safety A~Z

J is for Juxtaposition.

In art juxtaposition is placing two opposite things next to each other and leaving it up to the observer to establish connections and derive a meaning.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                       

I want my children to go to school to learn, have fun and feel safe.   I do not want them to feel like they are serving time.

At a recent forum I attended on school safety a parent asked a question during the Q&A about having a person designated at the front office that was firearm trained.  The police chief responded to the question with a question, "Do we really want our kids to go to school with an armed guard at the entrance?"  We are not sending our kids off to jail.  As a community, I do not think that is what we are prepared to do, at least not yet.

There needs to be balance between two opposites.  Protecting our kids and still letting our kids be kids. That is the juxtaposition.

What connection do you get with the two photos?

Identification ~ School Safety A~Z

I is for Identification

I found this podcast when I was researching todays blog letter.

In order to keep our kids safe we need to keep bad people out of our schools.  We need to identify those who are visiting our schools to ensure that those let through the doors will not harm anyone.  When a visitor comes to the door they should show their ID ( Identification) before being able to enter the school.  Whether it be a drivers license or some official government photo identification, it should be given to the security person at the front entrance.

Some schools use a sticker to identify the visitor.  If school staff sees someone in the hallways that they do not recognize, or that does not have a visitor pass, they will stop the visitor and inquire who they are, and what their business is at the school.  This is a safety precaution.  Staff needs to be aware of any potential harm, or unrecognized strangers.

The newest trend is to have electronic ID checks.  A scanner will take in the drivers license information and then generate a wearable label.  

I think this is where most schools will be in the next 5 years.  Technology has enabled security systems to be hooked up to crime data bases.  This will help minimize exposure of our students to people who have done bad things in their past.  Not only does the person need to be identified, they need to be tracked.  A visitor that enters the building, needs to also leave in a timely manner.  This ID tracking system helps monitor visits.

How does your school identify visitors?

Help ~ School Safety A~Z

Today's blog letter is "H", and I had two main thoughts regarding "HELP".  First was how can we as parents HELP prevent school shootings from even occurring.   I found this great segment and agree with the discussion that took place.  One thing that he said that prompted my second thought was that evil people are going to do what they plan on doing, and we need to ensure we are prepared to minimize loss.  That led to my second "Help", which is the emergency notification.

What Parents can Do to HELP prevent school shootings:

1. Communicate with your children.  Ask them how they are feeling.  Ask them about their friends and if they have noticed any odd behaviors.
2. Are your kids being bullied, or do they know anyone being bullied?
3. Thoughts of Suicide or depression?  If you kids have had them, seek out mental help professionals.
4. Tell kids importance of Lock down drills and how it will prepare them to act quickly in case of an emergency.
5. Help individuals in advance to prevent them from getting to the point of no return.

Calling for HELP:

Knowing how to call for help and how to communicate when there is an emergency is of critical importance in school safety.  Seconds matter.  When someone evil enough to come in and hurt children makes their way into a school, the faster the police are called, the more lives are saved.  School safety then becomes more of how we can lessen the potential damage.

Our front desk staff at our schools need the resources to communicate.  Many schools are installing emergency buttons that will be able to communicate to the district office and to the Police and Fire Departments.

Guns ~ School Safety A~Z

180 days go by each school year, and fortunately without tragedy.  However in recent years we have seen that gun violence has become a topic that has affected many of us who have school aged children. When we send our kids to school, the greatest expectation is that they will be safe.

I have only shot a gun at a range  Breathe, THEN shoot.  The last gun that I shot was the same type used in the Sandyhook shooting.  Little did I now.

If you have a gun in your house, please read this great website:
Talking to kids about Gun Safety

Now for my personal beliefs:

I believe that guns in our schools are a bad idea.   

I believe in our 2nd amendment rights to bear arms.  I believe that there does need to be a stronger universal background check system in place in order to purchase a firearm.   ( I also believe that there should be a national background check for sex offenders, but that is another topic)

We need to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill.  The problem arises and the challenge is that criminals do not follow the law.  We can change all the laws that we want, but that is not going to solve all of the problems we are facing in our society.  We need to change the penalty as well.  We need to get and keep criminals off the streets.  We need judges who are firmer and not afraid to send people to jail when they break the law.  We need to ensure that people who have mental illness are not able to purchase a firearm.  We need tough penalties for people who purchase firearms for people who cannot get them themselves.

Guns in entertainment.  How many shoot-em-up movies do we need to see? Hollywood seems to think that the more gruesome the better.  And video games?  Don't get me started!  Hollywood produces what an audience demands.  I think film makers need to take some responsibility in how our society has become so desensitized to gun violence.

Passing laws might make us feel better, (but remember, criminals do not obey the law), however real change will occur when we as a society will not accept the portrayal of gun violence on our TV's or Movie screens.  When we can turn off the TV and actually talk to our neighbor.  When we can be more compassionate towards one another.  I believe that is when real change will occur.

What do you think about gun violence in America?  I would like to hear your views.  Since this is such a hot topic, please be respectful and kind by not bashing either political party.

Familiarization ~ School Safety A~Z

When I was in elementary school in the early 1970's I remember participating in air raid drills.  We heard a bell and hid under our desks.  Another drill was to leave the classroom and congregate in the gym which was in the basement.  I also remember fire drills.  We would hear another type of bell and all file out onto the playground.

Yearly we practiced these drills and became familiar with what to do in case of an emergency.  Fortunately our school never had a fire or was attacked by air.

Fast forward now to my children's school day.  They do not have air raid drills, but for the past 4 years they have been participating in lock down drills.  Maybe your kids have come home and have shared with you their experiences with lock down drills, if not ask them if they have drills.  If your child has not participated in a lock down drill, I would be very concerned.  In our district lock down drills have become as routine as fire drills and kids are familiar with their responsibility of participation.

Why do schools do lock down or fire drills?  Students need to have familiarization with what to do in case of an emergency.  ( I will get to lock down drills with the letter L later in the month!)

It is imperative for parents to have the same familiarization that their kids have with the safety procedures at the schools where their children attend.  If you are not aware of the procedures your school has in place, I suggest making a phone call to the principal to request a copy of the safety procedures.

Entrances and Exits ~ School Safety A~Z

The entrance and exits to a school are critical points to school safety.  It is a way for children to enter school, then a place to keep under tight security until students leave for the day.  The entrance should be locked at all times once the bell rings and school is in session.

Have you driven by a school and wondered what the letters on the outside of the building meant?

They are there for emergency purposes.   

The letter A is placed at the main entrance.  Letters go clockwise (to the left) for each side of the building.  If an emergency is called and the closest entrance is D, they can go right to that area. This can be critical if an ambulance comes and time is of the essence.  

Drive by your school.  Are there letters outside?  

Decisions ~ School Safety A to Z

Last night I attended a mandatory pre-prom assembly with my son who is a junior in High School.  There were 2 speakers who shared their stories with us.  They were not there to give a speech or to talk down to the kids.  They were there to share their stories about decisions that were made that changed their life.

The first person to share their story was Mike Caple.  Mike is the Visual Arts Director in our school district.  He described the night when he was living in California and he received a phone call from his mother here in Massachusetts that his younger brother had been in a car accident.  With in hours Mike was on a plane coming home.  His teen age brother had made the decision to get into a car with someone who had been drinking.  Four teenagers made bad decisions that night.  One did not survive.

The second person to share their story was Matt Clarke.  When he was a senior in high school, a few months before graduation, he and his best friend Paul went to a party.  Matt woke up the next day in a hospital not remembering anything.  He found out that he and Paul had been in car accident and that Paul did not make it.  Paul was killed on impact.  Matt spoke about how this one decision to get in the car and drive while he was drunk changed his and many other lives around him.  He spent 2 years in jail.  Paul's biggest message was not to "lecture" kids, as he stated that he never listened to speeches himself.  He talked about making decisions.

This video is of Matt and his song that he wrote to help connect to others about his experience.  It was filmed at Plymouth North High School earlier in the year.  He performed it last night.  He is a very talented young man.  I admire the courage he had to get up and speak to a room full of kids and adults and share his story.  He wants to make a difference in the lives of others, and hopefully show to kids and adults that decision making is critical.

Personal responsibility and decision making is what we need to teach to our kids.  We can only do that if we ourselves are the best examples for them to follow.  Mike talked about how both deaths were 100% preventable.  I am sure you know of someone (maybe even yourself), who has gotten behind the wheel of a car after a few drinks and have driven drunk.  Do not do it.  Make the decision now to keep people safe.  30 people die each day from a result of a drunk driver.  Thats 11,000 lives lost each year that were 100% preventable.

It was an opportune time to have a wonderful conversation with my 17 year old son.  Making good decisions now will save lives in the future.  My son and I made a commitment to each other.  His biggest concern was not himself drinking, but his other friends around him.  I assured him that if he was EVER in a bad situation, his dad and I would come and get him, no questions asked.  We rather have the phone call for a ride home, that a visit from a police officer.

Make good decisions.  Take personal responsibility to save lives and keep our children safe.

Committee ~ School Safety A~Z

Each school district should have a safety committee.  It is imperative to have open communication between everyone who is directly involved with children.

The Plymouth Public Schools Safety Committee meet once a month.  The committee consists of the following individuals:

School Board Member  (Me)
Superintendent of Schools
Police Chief
School Resource Officers
Fire Chief and/or captains
High School Principal
Middle School Principal
Elementary School Principal
Guidance Counselor
Emergency Management Director
School Business Manager

We had our monthly meeting yesterday.  On the agenda:

School Bus Safety ~ We received a report from our bus company and how now they have 2 cameras on each bus to ensure the safety of our kids.

Emergency Crisis Manual ~  We have updated our procedures and it was for final review before printing.

After the Connecticut tragedy our committee hosted an open forum/panel for parent to attend.  It was well attended and the community was appreciative of our efforts.  Here is a write up of in our local paper : Keeping Plymouth Staff and Students Safe

It is amazing to have such great leaders in one room discussing the safety of our children.  Check with your school to see if they have a safety committee.  If they do not find out WHY, and then suggest starting one.

Bully ~ School Safety A-Z

A child cannot learn in school if they do not feel safe.  It is up to the caring adults in the community and the school to provide safe environment where children can receive their education.  A place where actions by bullies are not tolerated.

There are 3 victims in Bullying
1) Bully (yes they are a victim and I will get to that later)
2) Target
3) Bystanders

I say the school bully is a victim because they do not have the proper tools to express themselves.  Many times they have been the victim of bullying and intimidation themselves, and this is the only way they know how to act.  Many learn from their parents and/or adults that are around them acting out of control.  As parents we need to be mindful of the example we set for our children.  Sometimes the apple does not fall far from the tree.

We don't always know why targets are targets.  Shy kids.  Geeky kids.  Even popular kids are bullied.  Bullying crosses race, gender and socioeconomic lines.

For the bystanders ( the kids who see the bullying) we need to teach our children empathy, and we need to encourage them to have a voice and speak out if they see something going on that they know is not right.  We need to act on this now, and not sit back and let someone else take care of it.

All 3 are victims and we need to find ways to eliminate bullying in our schools.  Remember that they are ALL children, and they all need our guidance and support.

Don't know where to start?  Here are 10 things you can do right now!

10 Actions ALL Parents can take to Eliminate Bullying

http://www.thebullyproject.com/  Join and become involved.

Action Plan ~ School Safety A-Z

Every school district needs one.  Some are online, others are at the school for view.

What is an Action Plan?  Some states have legislation. California Law

Basically each school ( and district) should have a plan in place for most emergencies and how they will follow procedures in the event that something happens during the day while children are at school.

Ask to see a copy of your schools action plan.  If they do not have one, well suggest right quick that you would like to be on a committee to get one started!

CSPAN and NSBA talking about school plans:

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/Negron

Countdown T-4 days

As you can see I have not actively blogged for quite some time.  On April 1st I will engage in a challenge that I am SOOO excited to start.

More information will follow.

I am set and ready to take off~!

Deb

She Has Heaven.

It has been quite sometime since I have blogged. So many things have been happening in my life, I cannot even recount all of them!  Since December of 2011 and making it public my intentions to run for State Representative, I have been full throttle and going at WARP speed.  It is all good.  If anyone had suggested this a year ago to me, I would laugh at them and tell them that they were crazy.

In saying all of that, I have come to some realizations....

There are some truths that I know:

I am very blessed to be married to my best friend.  My children are not perfect, they of course are a reflection of their parents, however they are perfect for me.  I am very blessed with two wonderful young men who make me laugh every day.

My life is far from perfect.  My extended family makes me crazy, isn't that what family is for?

The trials in my life have made me who I am today.  The good.  The bad.  And the ugly.

Lemons make me happy.  Yellow is still my favorite color.  This morning I was looking at my closet, and realized that I have a lot of lemon colored clothing.

I am grateful for the tender mercies in my life.  They are too personal to blog about, however mentioning them allows me to acknowledge to a higher authority my gratitude.

This is my heaven, my home with my hubby and my 2 young men.

She's Imagination.

First note, before my main entry:

When I started this blog, my first entry was on 10/10/10.  How did I miss writing on 11/11/11 ?  I don't know what I was thinking?  But to give myself some credit on 11/11/11 at 11:11am I was at the Plymouth Town Green, after walking in the Veterans Day Parade, listening to TAPS being played by a bugle.  I cannot listen to TAPS without tears swelling up in my eyes.  It happens each time.  I stopped trying to figure out why, and just know to have tissues on hand ready to be used.

OK, so Here goes to my Title:  SHE's IMAGINATION

Right now I am not working and searching for a new path of a career.  My imagination is endless.  I feel like I am 12 years old trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.  I am now 46 years young, and feel like I need to have some imagination and creativity as to how I want to proceed with my life.  I have SO many interests and passions.  I need to channel those into an energy that will enable me to find a job/career that I am really interested in pursuing.  I am Imagining myself in Graduate School working on a Masters Degree in Education Policy and Management.  I have a program in mind.  There are quite a few steps I need to take before I can start applying, however now is that time to start planning.

Let me first say that this is a big step for me, school has never been easy for me.  It has been a goal for quite some time, however getting the courage to follow what my dreams are has been my biggest hurdle.  I remember hearing Dr.Maestas ( Plymouth Superintendent) say at one of his assemblies to the kids that when you want to set a goal and accomplish it, you need to SAY SOMETHING and let the people around you know your goal. This for me has been the hard part.  It is hard because what if I fail?  Will people judge me harshly?  What if it takes longer than I anticipated?  So many variables.  That is where the courage comes into place.  I first need to IMAGINE myself accomplishing this lofty goal.  I then need to set smaller goals to go along the way.  Faith and Courage will help me Imagine.

So here I go, I have a goal in place.  My mind is set and I am using my Imagination to visualize success.

She is the Dreamer.

My top "5"s in no particular order:

Top 5 Places in the world I want to see:

1.  Visit the Galapagos Islands ~  I want to see what Darwin Saw.
2.  Attend the French Open ( While Nadal is still playing)
3.  Experience Mt. Rushmore
4.  Witness a volcano/ lava flow in Iceland
5.  Cape Town, South Africa  ( on trip to re-visit Lesotho)

5 Personal Goals:
1. By end of 2011 have my fathers estate behind me.  Lucky #7
2. Read the New Testament again.
3. Be kind
4.  Be come a published author
5.  study photography

5 Dreams for my kids:
1.  Encourage them to apply themselves to achieve to their potential
2.  Pray with them
3.  They will become Eagle Scouts
4.  They will be kind citizens
5.  Do their own laundry

5 Books I want to Read:

1. Harry Potter 1
2. Harry Potter 2
3. Harry Potter 3
4. Harry Potter 4
5. Rest of Harry Potter books

5 Things about myself I want to improve:
1.  Patience
2.  Be kind
3.  Patience
4.  Physical activity
5.  Diet Coke ( decrease consumption)