America’s Safe Schools Week has been recognized on the third week of October each year since 1984. Virginia’s public school divisions enroll nearly 1.3 million students. Collectively, VRSA members include school divisions averaging 14,000 students. As such, school safety is a vital function of our risk management efforts.
This week VRSA will be offering two webinars in addition to risk management tools, tips, videos, and blogs in observances of Safe Schools Week.
Monday, Oct. 21, 11 a.m.: Webinar – VRSA’s Partnership with the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety
This webinar will kick off Safe Schools Week by highlighting the partnership that VRSA has developed with the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety to provide training and resources to school divisions in Virginia. Upcoming training opportunities and legislation impacting schools will be discussed.
This webinar is open to all members of the public. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 22, 11 a.m.: Webinar – VRSA’s Anti-Bullying and School Violence Resources
Proactive solutions are vital in preventing bullying and violence in schools. VRSA has partnered with STOPit to offer members access to an application designed to deter inappropriate behaviors at school. During this webinar, Jeff Schobel will discuss: why proactive tools are the new reactive solutions; how to meet students where they are through anonymous reporting; and how smart incident management systems can save you time.
This webinar is open to all members of the public. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 23: Top Ten School Safety Tips
VRSA Senior Safety Consultant Fonda Craig will share her Top Ten School Safety Tips teachers and administrators can utilize to keep their classrooms and learning spaces safe for students each day. Tips and a shareable video will be released via e-blast and through the VRSA blog.
Thursday, Oct. 24: Physical Site Assessment
Taking a physical site assessment of each of your buildings is a crucial step toward protecting the safety of students and staff. On Thursday, VRSA Public Safety Specialist Gary Dillon will share information on identifying operational and hazard risks with school buildings and grounds. Similarly, VRSA Senior Safety Consultant Fonda Craig will show you what to look out for inside to protect students and staff. Tips and a shareable video will be released via e-blast and through the VRSA blog.
Friday, Oct. 25: Risk Management Grant Funds
VRSA is committed to helping our member school divisions manage risk. VRSA protects members’ assets and promotes risk management affecting strategic objectives. One way we do this is through the VRSA Risk Management Grant Program, which provides funding for the purchase of safety equipment, training, or other educational endeavors designed to support risk management. Information on this program will be shared via e-blast and through the VRSA blog.