This episode of the School Safety Today podcast, by Raptor Technologies, features an in-depth discussion with Dr. David Diehl, Director of Student and Community Services at Selma Unified School District (CA), about the critical role of preparation in ensuring school safety. Dr. Diehl shares his experiences, including a pivotal crisis incident, and emphasizes how proper planning, technology, and a culture of safety can mitigate risks and enhance crisis responses in schools.

KEY POINTS:

• A well-executed reunification process is critical for the safe return of students to their guardians in crises, reducing the potential for miscommunication or harm.

• Detailed, actionable emergency plans tailored to specific scenarios are essential. They should include realistic drills and role-specific responsibilities for staff.

• Using technology to streamline crisis management through providing real-time student accountability, ensuring efficient communication and deployment of resources during emergencies.

Our guest, Dr. David Diehl, is the Director of Student and Community Services for the Selma Unified School District (CA). He was previously a Coordinator of MTSS and an Assistant Principal for the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. Before entering education, he retired as a police sergeant after 24 years in law enforcement. Dr. Diehl’s Doctoral research was inspired by the 21 students he lost to gang-related homicides while teaching in a Central California court school. He has worked extensively with system-involved youth in court schools, community day schools, and alternative education settings. A sought-after speaker and published author, Dr. Diehl is a proponent of data-informed interventions prior to 6th grade, along with providing educators with increased awareness into the lives of street-socialized students from marginalized communities. He believes this approach can improve student engagement, increase resilience, and impede future incarceration.

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy speaks with Benjamin S. Fernandez, MS. Ed., School Psychologist about the crucial role of crisis teams in schools. The discussion emphasizes the importance of preparedness, prevention, and relationship-building to effectively manage crises and ensure student wellbeing.

KEY POINTS:

• Crisis teams play a crucial role in prevention, psychological recovery, and long-term support to promote student wellbeing.

• Building trust with students, staff, and families before a crisis occurs is foundational

• Crisis teams focus on addressing mental health and psychological recovery post-crisis, whereas threat assessment teams proactively evaluate and manage potential threats.

Our guest, Benjamin S. Fernandez, MS. Ed., is a seasoned school psychologist with over 28 years of experience in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Currently serving as a crisis intervention specialist in Northern Virginia, he leads and coordinates crisis intervention services. Benjamin has a rich background in providing mental health services, including assessments, suicide screenings, threat assessments, consultation, and counseling. He is a Lead PREPaRE Trainer and has presented on youth suicide, school mental health, and crisis intervention. He has testified before various government bodies and contributed to the Virginia Department of Education’s Suicide Prevention Guidelines. Recognized for his significant contributions, he has received multiple awards, including School Psychologist of the Year by both the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists and the National Association of School Psychologists.

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Melissa Kree about fostering resilience in students. Kree shares insights from her role in student mental health and school safety. The discussion emphasizes the role of trusted adults in supporting students, exploring how resilience involves ongoing support from families, educators, and communities.

KEY POINTS:

• Resilience Requires Intentional Support — Students benefit from consistent support.

• The Importance of Trusted Adult Relationships — Trusted adults play an essential role in helping students navigate difficult experiences and build resilience.

• Holistic Approach to School Safety — Fostering a supportive school culture and positive student well-being are essential for school safety.

Our guest, Melissa Kree is a seasoned school psychologist with over a decade of experience at Oxford Community Schools in Michigan. Since joining the district in October 2012, Kree has worked across all educational levels, from pre-kindergarten through high school. She coordinates building-level Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) teams and oversees special education evaluations. Additionally, she serves as a district-level Individualized Education Program (IEP) coach. Kree is an active member of the district's crisis team and participates in building-level threat and suicide risk assessment teams, utilizing both Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) and PREPaRE models. She has been an ongoing part of Oxford’s response to the tragedy on November 30th, 2021, and works closely with the Executive Director of School Safety, Operational Technology, and Student Services to regularly review and implement policies and procedures, as well as lead building level teams in the implementation as situations arise. She serves on the district mental health/SEL committee and participates in county-level PREPaRE community of practice groups. Beyond her district responsibilities, she serves on the mental health and SEL committee of the Michigan Association of School Psychologists, advocating for the integration of mental health considerations in all aspects of school safety. Residing in Oxford with her husband and two children, Kree is deeply committed to the well-being and safety of her community.

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso interviews Chief Ronald Applin, Chief of Police at Atlanta Public Schools. The conversation centers around the department's unique approach to law enforcement, focusing on student well-being, mental health, and reducing the school-to-prison pipeline. Chief Applin explains how the department addresses the gap in law enforcement services, with an emphasis on restorative practices and positive behavior interventions, aiming to ensure that students are not criminalized for issues that can be addressed through support and guidance. 

KEY POINTS: 

• How they use restorative practices to help address issues while holding students accountable for their actions.  

• Providing specialized training in mental health first aid, social-emotional learning, and crisis intervention to enable officers to be guardians alongside being a warrior. 

• Using an Intervention Specialist to change the trajectory of students' lives. 

• Building strong officer relationships with students, often acting as mentors and engaging in non-custodial conversations that help foster trust to increase school safety. 

Our guest, Chief Ronald Applin, Chief of Police, Atlanta Public Schools, has over 32 years of law enforcement experience. After completing boot camp for the United States Marine Corps, he served in the Marine Corps Reserves for 6 years. He simultaneously began his career with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office in 1989 and retired in 2010 at the rank Captain. During his tenure at the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, he commanded the day-to-day operations of the Law Enforcement Division, SWAT Team, oversaw the implementation of 911 services for the City of Chattahoochee Hills and served as the Venue Commander for the 2008 Brian Nichols Trial.  In 2011, he became a faculty member with Reinhardt University Public Safety Institute, where he continues to serve, teaching undergraduate and graduate level criminal justice courses. He also taught in the Law and Justice Program at Creekside High School. His love for public safety led him to accept an offer to serve as the Director of Security at Landmark Christian School in 2013. The experiences gained in this position prepared him for the highlight of his law enforcement career—being selected as the Chief of Police for the newly created Atlanta Public Schools Police Department. As a product of the Atlanta Public School System, Charles Lincoln Harper High School 1986 graduating class, this was a full circle moment for him.  Chief Applin earned a Bachelor of Science Social Science in Criminal Justice from Mercer University, Master of Public Administration from Troy University, and has completed all coursework, with the exception of a dissertation, for his PhD in Criminal Justice from Capella University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy 220th Session and a graduate of the inaugural class of Mercer University's Public Safety Leadership Institute.  Chief Applin’s leadership and professionalism extend beyond the halls of the schools he serves. He is an active member of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP), International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Georgia Alliance of School Resource Officers and Educators (GASROE) Board of Directors, National Center for School Safety Advisory Board, Landmark Christian School Board of Directors and Atlanta Technical College Criminal Justice Program Advisory Committee, Graduate of the United Way VIP 2021. 

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso sat down with Dr. Stephanie Leite, Senior Threat Manager. Gain valuable insights from her expertise as she delves into behavioral threat assessment, with a particular emphasis on understanding threat assessment in autistic students.

KEY POINTS:

• Recognizing the critical distinction between reactive and targeted violence helps educators better identify and respond to student behaviors without jumping to conclusions.

• Navigating the complexities of conducting threat assessments for autistic students, emphasizing the importance of lifting them up rather than isolating them.

• Successful threat assessments involve collaboration with families, educators, and occupational therapists

Our guest, Dr. Leite is a distinguished forensic psychologist based in Hartford, CT, renowned for delivering high-quality psychological evaluations. She specializes in risk and threat assessments for courts, schools, and workplaces, providing expert insights that inform safety and management strategies. Dr. Leite thrives in training on psychology and risk management, offering her services for case consultations across a spectrum of issues, including child protection, complex psychopathology, fitness for duty, high-conflict divorce, and adolescent behavior. Licensed in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York, she consults nationwide.

Dr. Leite is an active member of the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Connecticut Psychological Association, where she served as president of the Forensic Division. She is also a member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) and a past president of the New England ATAP chapter, cherishing her role in the global ATAP community. Additionally, she is affiliated with the National Center for Crisis Management and InfraGuard and is a peer reviewer for the Journal of Threat Assessment and Management.

In this episode of “School Safety Today”, host Michelle Dawn Mooney speaks with Lt. Pamela Revels, President of NASRO and Lieutenant of the School Resource Division at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama. Drawing from 20 years of experience as an SRO, Lt. Revels highlights the vital role School Resource Officers have in creating safer schools through law enforcement, education, and mentorship. She explains how SROs are not only responsible for crisis response but also for building trust, preventing incidents, and guiding students toward better decisions, all in collaboration with school staff and the broader community.

Key Takeaways:

• Lt. Revels emphasizes the importance of careful selection and comprehensive training for SROs, ensuring they are prepared to meet the unique demands of school environments.

• The SRO Triad Model positions officers as law enforcement, educators, and mentors, allowing them to build trust and intervene before issues escalate.

• SROs play a pivotal role not just in crisis response, but in daily prevention and relationship-building, making schools safer environments for students and staff alike.

Lt. Pamela Revels, originally from Enterprise, Alabama, has served with the Lee County Sheriff's Office since 2004, now holding the position of Lieutenant of the School Resource Division. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration and an MBA from Columbia Southern University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Administration at Liberty University. A recognized leader in school safety, Lt. Revels is the President of the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) and has led the Alabama Association of School Resource Officers (TAASRO) for 14 years. She holds numerous instructor certifications, including RAD, ALERRT, and Taser, and serves on various local and state committees focused on school safety. Lt. Revels is also a Subject Matter Expert for the U.S. Department of Justice's Collaborative Reform Initiative, contributing to national curriculum development and presentations. She has been honored multiple times, including being named the We Tip National School Resource Officer of the Year twice. Her community work includes educating students on safety and running the Junior Deputy Academy to foster positive interactions between youth and law enforcement.

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso sat down with Craig Straw, Director of Safety and Emergency Management for Houston Independent School District (HISD). Listen and learn as he shares his experiences and strategies for back-to-school preparations and school safety management.

KEY POINTS:

• Holistic Approach to School Safety to not only prevent active shooter incidents but also prepare for natural disasters, technological hazards, and mental health crises

• The role of training, mental health support, and the involvement of parents in creating a secure environment

• Ongoing training, open communication, and building relationships within the school and external agencies

Our guest, Craig Straw, is the Director of Safety and Emergency Management for Houston Independent School District (HISD), the largest school district in Texas and the eighth largest in the United States. As the first person to hold this position, Craig serves as the top advisor to the HISD Chief of Police and the Superintendent of Schools. His role encompasses managing strategic, operational, and tactical emergency operation plans, standard response protocols, and school safety audits. He is also responsible for training staff in daily operations, including mitigation, prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery during emergencies. Craig's career in school safety began after a distinguished 27-year tenure in the United States Air Force, where he retired as a Chief Master Sergeant. His military experience and passion for service led him to transition into school safety roles in Clear Creek ISD and Texas City ISD before joining HISD. Craig holds a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and has earned certifications in Crime Prevention through Environmental Design and Infrastructure Protection from Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. Craig is also a dedicated member of The “I Love U Guys” Foundation Board and the National Center for Spectator Sport Safety and Security Board. He is actively involved in the International Association of Emergency Managers, serving on the K-12 Caucus, where he continues to advocate for and contribute to the field of school safety. Craig's commitment to school safety is driven by his belief in both the moral and legal responsibility to protect every life on campus every day.

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies Michelle Dawn Mooney sat down with special guest, TJ Markland, General Manager of PayK12. Pay K12 is a cloud-based software platform that provides districts, schools, and departments within, one digital hub for managing school payments and funds. In this episode, we’ll discuss how schools can reduce risks and improve efficiency in school payments.

Key Takeaways:

• Streamlining Payments: Consolidating all school payments into one platform reduces inefficiencies and strengthens financial security across departments.

• Unified Transaction Management: Leveraging technology to manage both cash and credit transactions on a unified platform enhances transparency and security.

• Emerging Trends: Data interoperability helps schools streamline processes, reduce manual tasks, and improve financial management efficiency.

TJ Markland is a recognized expert in school system payments and the General Manager of PayK12, a cloud-based software platform designed to streamline school payments and financial management. With over five years of experience at PayK12, TJ has played a pivotal role in expanding the platform's capabilities, particularly focusing on reducing risks and improving efficiency in school payment systems. Before joining PayK12, TJ worked for a payments company that built its own payment gateway for vertically integrated SaaS (Software as a Service), helping companies easily accept payments. Under TJ's leadership, PayK12 has grown significantly, now serving over 5,000 administrators across 23 states. PayK12 has recently become part of the Raptor Technologies family, allowing the integration of payment systems with safety and security features, further enhancing the offerings for school districts.

In today’s episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, join host Dr. Amy Grosso as she sits down with Michael Matthews, the Director of Operations for the Fairview Park City School District in the Greater Cleveland Area.  Together, they discuss the crucial preparations and strategies necessary for ensuring a safe return to school for students and staff. 

KEY POINTS: 

• The importance of balancing physical safety measures with the well-being of students and staff 

• Implementing small, manageable changes over time rather than overwhelming staff with large-scale reform 

• The critical role of engaging the entire school community, including staff and local agencies 

Our guest, Michael Matthews, is the Director of Operations for the Fairview Park City School District in the Greater Cleveland Area. Michael oversees all operational aspects of the district, including business affairs and human resources. With fifteen years of experience as an Elementary Principal and Associate Middle School Principal and eight years as an Elementary Teacher, Michael is dedicated to prioritizing the well-being of students and staff in every decision, ensuring that all stakeholders have the essential tools for success. 

In today’s episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, join host Dr. Amy Grosso as she sits down with Michael Matthews, the Director of Operations for the Fairview Park City School District in the Greater Cleveland Area.  Together, they discuss the crucial preparations and strategies necessary for ensuring a safe return to school for students and staff. 

KEY POINTS: 

• The importance of balancing physical safety measures with the well-being of students and staff 

• Implementing small, manageable changes over time rather than overwhelming staff with large-scale reform 

• The critical role of engaging the entire school community, including staff and local agencies 

Our guest, Michael Matthews, is the Director of Operations for the Fairview Park City School District in the Greater Cleveland Area. Michael oversees all operational aspects of the district, including business affairs and human resources. With fifteen years of experience as an Elementary Principal and Associate Middle School Principal and eight years as an Elementary Teacher, Michael is dedicated to prioritizing the well-being of students and staff in every decision, ensuring that all stakeholders have the essential tools for success.