NJSBA to Host Forum: School Safety: Where Do We Go from Here?

Another school shooting. Now what?

How does this keep happening? What can the New Jersey education community do to prevent a horrific incident from occurring here?

To help school leaders and the education community grapple with the tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas and past horrific events, the New Jersey School Boards Association will present a virtual information forum,  School Safety: Where Do We Go from Here?  The forum will be Monday, June 13, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

The event will bring together mental health and trauma experts, law enforcement, and school safety officials to discuss ways to implement proactive prevention strategies, address grief and fear, institute social and emotional support and secure school environments.

All school board members, administrators, school staff, and other members of the education community are invited to attend this free forum. Registration is available online.

“There is nothing more important than keeping students, staff and visitors to our schools safe,” said Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, executive director of NJSBA. “We were horrified by the shooting in Texas as we are with every act of violence in our schools. This forum will further the conversation about how to keep our schools safe, so students can focus on learning — and how we can heal after a tragedy.”

Program Information

Ian Hockley, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Dylan’s Wings of Change

It has been nearly 10 years since the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

Ian Hockley, executive director of Dylan’s Wings of Change, had to live through the loss from the horrific mass shooting that claimed the life of his 6-year-old son, Dylan, along with 19 other children and six adults, on Dec. 14, 2012. Hockley will reflect on the lessons learned over the last 10 years, including the detrimental effects of social isolation and the importance of empathy.

The mission of Dylan’s Wings of Change is to empower empathic and courageous children to create strong, inclusive communities. The nonprofit foundation’s youth-led Wingman program is designed to develop social and emotional skills and foster a positive school climate.

Panel Discussion: Proactive Prevention: Emotionally Supporting Students, Teachers and Staff

This panel of experts will address proactive prevention strategies, and the mental health needs of students and educators, who have weathered the shock of school shootings throughout the nation. The panel discussion will be moderated by Vincent DeLucia, NJSBA’s educator-in-residence.

Panelists will include:

• Maurice J. Elias, professor of psychology and director of the Rutgers Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab.
• Glenn Proctor, owner of REDDjobb Coaching, suicide prevention, executive leadership coach and grief counseling.
• Ian Hockley, Executive Director, Dylan’s Wings of Change
• Shauna DeMarco, Superintendent of Schools, Tenafly Public Schools

Panel Discussion: Why Did This Happen Again?

State education and law enforcement experts will detail ways that school districts can operationally protect their students and staff. Learn what security measures and methods will make your schools less vulnerable. The panel discussion will be moderated by Vincent DeLucia, NJSBA’s educator-in-residence.

Panelists will include:

• Raymond J. Hayducka, chief of police, South Brunswick, past president, New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.
• Jeffrey Gale, director/school security specialist, New Jersey Department of Education Office of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning.
• Dr. Scott Rocco, Superintendent of Schools, Hamilton Township School District

More Information The forum, “School Safety: Where Do We Go from Here?” is free and open to the education community. Learn more and register.