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In: Success

TULSA, Okla. – Tulsa Public Schools, as an outgrowth of its anti-bullying efforts, is launching a new online tool that will encourage students, teachers, staff and others in the Tulsa community to confidentially report bullying or other potentially harmful incidents. The district plans to go “live” with TIPS (Threat Assessment, Incident Management and Prevention Services) in January 2012, with a link from the TPS website at www.tulsaschools.org. In addition to bullying and cyber-bullying, TIPS also allows for the anonymous reporting of weapons possession, drug/alcohol use, harassment or intimidation, school vandalism, physical assault, threats of violence, suicide risk, abuse or neglect and other incidents. TIPS, aRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Campus Safety, School Safety

  Last week, Secretary Arne Duncan from the Department of Education, along with several other agencies, sponsored the second annual national summit on bullying. Multiple federal government representatives reminded the attendees that bullying remains a priority and that is good…Unfortunately we have heard similar messages at multiple White House Summits and multiple conferences. So based on the advice of Benjamin Franklin who said: Well done is always better than well said. Beginning this week, now is the time to take the next step from “well said” to “well done”.   To help with this transformation, I will identify examples of “well saids” along with potential waysRead More →

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In: Success

The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Communications Services Inc. (CSI) are engaged in creating and building the Nebraska Regional Interoperability Network (NRIN). The network is designed to connect the Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and dispatch centers across Nebraska’s eight state regions. A project this complex requires continuous coordination and secure information‐sharing between NEMA, the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), CSI, sub‐contractors and key personnel in each of the eight local communication regions. NEMA and CSI chose Awareity’s web‐based MOAT (Managed Ongoing Awareness and Trust) platform to keep all parties informed and ensure ongoing communications and situational awareness. MOAT empowers project administratorsRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Legal, Risk Management, School Safety

  When it comes to anti-bullying efforts, most seem to be in agreement that we need to do something about bullying. It is everyone’s moral obligation to lookout for the safety of students and do the right thing.   However, in New Jersey, there is a debate on new legislation and school requirements. On November 1, 2011, the Executive Director at New Jersey Association of School Administrators, Mr. Richard Bozza, submitted an ‘Opinion’ piece discussing the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights that started by saying, “THERE’S NO question about it.  We need to do something about bullying.” Mr. Bozza’s opinion also stated the unfunded mandateRead More →

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In: Success

Colleges and Universities are facing mounting challenges with budgets, oversight, safety and student achievement, and it can be difficult to manage reputations with students, faculty members, staff, administrators, third‐parties, media, etc. Campus obligations are overwhelming, so coordinating with all appropriate stakeholders in these times requires more innovative and more efficient approaches than traditional methodologies can deliver. Because improving efficiencies campus‐wide is critical, Norfolk State University (NSU) upgraded to Awareity’s Enhanced MOAT platform giving NSU administrators access to numerous innovative and advanced features. For example, the Enhanced Awareness Vault enables all university personnel and third‐parties (faculty, adjuncts, employees, supervisors, contractors, etc.) to have anytime access toRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Campus Safety, Incident Reporting, Risk Management, School Safety

  Two high profile incidents this week revealed that despite updates to the Clery Act and Title IX requirements, campuses continue to struggle to proactively identify warning signs and red flags and gather information and reports from their people (students, staff, faculty, law enforcement, counselors, etc.). Penn State – Lawmakers are investigating whether Penn State violated the Clery Act when it did not report child sexual abuse allegations regarding a former football coach to the proper authorities.  Several coaches were aware of the allegations, but did not report to the police. University of Idaho – University of Idaho officials say at least one police officerRead More →

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In: Research

Unfortunately, when it comes to Student Safety there are way too many myths. This document, written by Awareity’s CEO and Founder Rick Shaw, shares real evidence from incidents, tragedies and lessons learned to help all school and college administrators realize how Student Safety myths are putting their students, faculty, staff, community, reputation and bottom line at risk. To review full briefing, please click here to fill out our Resources request form.Read More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Incident Reporting, School Safety, Uncategorized

  A disconnect is seemingly growing and becoming more and more serious every day. Disconnects in schools exist for many reasons including: silos and departments hierarchy and org chart issues multiple locations lack of ongoing awareness and accountability ineffective and outdated policies and procedures the disconnect between “well said” and “well done”   What about disconnects between Adults and Students…are these disconnects also a problem? For example, most adults never experienced cyber bullying at a young age, so can adults really relate to what students are experiencing these days? As I work with K-12 and Higher Education leadership across the U.S., I come across numerousRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, School Safety

  When it comes to bully prevention, connecting the dots is one of the best ways to achieve better results and to achieve “well done”. Too many times after a bullying incident or targeted violence incident or a suicide, we hear school leadership, government leaders and expert review panels say the incident was not prevented because we didn’t connect the dots. Which dots?  And what dots are not getting connected? Take a moment and think about all the dots in your organization. Think about all the People Dots (boards, administrators, principals, student affairs, threat teams, counselors, staff, teachers, first responders, law enforcement,) you need toRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, School Safety

  Bully Prevention is receiving a lot of attention this month and that is a very good thing.  Lots of websites, articles, TV shows and experts have voiced their ideas, opinions and suggestions for bully prevention and these are really good things. I was a guest on a radio show with Larry Jacobs where we discussed alarming trends with bullying and the critical need for schools, families and communities to improve bully prevention results sooner than later.   To listen to the live interview, click here. When it comes to achieving better results, one of my favorite quotes comes from Benjamin Franklin: “Well done is alwaysRead More →