School safety, security, and violence prevention resource

As another school year begins, I cannot help but wonder what is in store for us with regard to school safety. We have been more vigilant in this respect for the past couple of years compared to the last decade, don’t you think? We have had our reasons to be even more vigilant regarding school safety in all levels and to be honest, despite our increased efforts, we have to admit that there are still incidents of security breaches, bullying, violence, and many others. And I believe that this is the main reason that we cannot flounder in our efforts to ensure school safety.

I was just browsing the Web as usual when I came across what they call the School Safety Management Systems. The people behind these systems is Virtual Ed Link, Inc., a company which “was formed to provide a seamless stream of security-related information and training for students, and those who work within our country’s educational systems. Our philosophy is framed around the principle that a person has the right to be educated in a safe collegial environment free from threats or intimidation.”

The SMSS has been around for quite some time now. I wonder why I just now heard about it? (Maybe I am not as up to date on this as I would like to believe!) Anyhow, one reason I found that write up on this is the fact that John Bay, CEO of VELI was recently interviewed and he highlighted the SMSS. Here’s an excerpt from CNN:

Bay points out in his interview comments that School and college administrators responsible for student, teacher, and staff safety have become inundated with parent concerns about security and safety at schools from K-12 to leading universities. As incidents continue to occur, the need for crisis management becomes more evident. As an example, Mr. Bay pointed out that New York State estimates that this coming school year will find the highest level of violence in recent years. The solution, he says, is a comprehensive program to prepare, plan, teach, train and direct all involved so that violence can be avoided or managed with greater control, if it should occur.

Bay declared, “A holistic approach to crisis management as it is embedded in the VELI platform goes a long way towards a lower level of potential confusion, and the increased level of safety, so necessary to protect school populations.”

His statements go back to one important thing – preparedness, which is something that I think is much better than reacting to already existing situations.

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Posted on September 5th, 2008 by Deborah J Thomas
Filed under: Administrators, College, High School, K-6, News, Parents, People Involved, School Grade Level