DECEMBER 2016
DID YOU KNOW
An emergency kit with the following items is recommended in vehicles:
  • Cellphone or two-way radio
  • Windshield ice scraper
  • Snow brush
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Shovel
  • Tow chain
  • Traction aids (bag of sand or cat litter)
  • Emergency flares
  • Jumper cables
  • Snacks
  • Water
  • Road maps
  • Blankets, change of clothes

   
Need more winter safety tips? 

Contact Carol Sneyd
914-248-3854
csneyd@pnwboces.org
 
SAVE THE DATE

Presentation by Wright Risk Management and Anthony Olivo regarding Workman's Compensation Claims

January 9, 2017
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Lunch will be included.

School Services Building
Yorktown Campus

Regional Safety 
Committee Meeting

January 26, 2017
10:00 am
Building 1 Conference Room 
  Fox Meadow Campus

CONTACT US
Michael Sellet
REGIONAL SAFETY COORDINATOR
(914) 248-2457
msellet@pnwboces.org

Carol Sneyd
REGIONAL SAFETY TECHNICIAN
(914) 248-3854
csneyd@pnwboces.org

Cynthia Braden
SENIOR OFFICE ASSISTANT
(914) 248-2456
Happy Holidays



SCHOOL CLIMATE AND STUDENT ANXIETY

 
During the past few weeks, several events have occurred that may contribute to increasing the anxiety levels of our staff and students.  We have seen continued violence overseas and on our own streets.  There have been several highly publicized incidents of violence in and around schools including shootings, stabbings and fights, which have caused severe injury.  In addition, the rhetoric from a contentious election has caused some to question their safety and that of their families and friends.  Often, real and perceived threats outside the school community can cause anxiety, and as a result, we may see an increase in negative behaviors in our schools.
 
In order to manage these outside stressors, many mental health professionals are encouraging schools to continue to promote positive behaviors and safe school climates. For more info click here.  Save Legislation and The Dignity Act both include requirements that are designed to provide safe learning environments for our staff and students.  The requirement to have comprehensive emergency response plans was updated over the summer to include four lockdown drills and a new emergency response template.  This guidance also encourages schools to include local law enforcement and other first responders in their planning and in drills.  https://safeschools.ny.gov/.
 
The Dignity Act was signed into law on September 13, 2010 and took effect on July 1, 2012.  Amendments to the act were effective on July 1, 2013.  As most of our readers know, the Dignity Act prohibits harassment and discrimination of individuals on school property or at school sponsored events.  The Dignity Act was expanded to include cyber bullying behaviors that may have a negative impact on the school.  Each school must have a code of conduct written in age appropriate language so that each child understands the school's expectations for appropriate behavior.  The Dignity Act requires education of students in civility, citizenship and character education.

Educators have been given the legislation to support them in providing a safe and secure learning environment.  Through the Dignity Act, we can assist our students in learning civil discourse.  We can disagree without threats, harassment or bullying.  Each staff member and each student has the inherent right to a safe learning and work environment.  Working together, we can continue to make this a reality.
Regional Safety Services provides support to our districts with emergency planning and with Dignity Act training under CoSER 698.

CIVILIAN RESPONSE TO ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING (CRASE)
 
Civilian Response to Active Shooter Training (CRASE) was presented at PNW BOCES on December 1, 2016.  More than 40 participants from Westchester and Putnam County schools attended the program, which was provided by Regional Safety Services in conjunction with the Westchester County Police. The training was presented by Sgt. Amery Bernhardt and Sgt. Vincent Antonecchia.  Several members of the Westchester County Police, Putnam County Sheriff's Department, and the Ossining Police Department along with other police agencies were present.  School districts were encouraged to bring a team of district employees along with local law enforcement to the course.
 
CRASE was designed in response to requests by schools, businesses, and community members for direction and presentations on what they should do if confronted with an active shooter event. CRASE, designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend strategy developed by ALERRT in 2004, provides strategies, guidance and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event.  Topics included the history and prevalence of active shooter events, the role of professional guardians, civilian response options, medical issues, and drills. This training was followed by small discussion groups led by a facilitator incorporating an active shooter scenario. The scenario exercise helped to reinforce the concepts of the Avoid, Deny, and Defend strategy.
 
The program gave the participants the tools to make better informed decisions in the case of an active shooter threat.  The presenters not only focused on the school environment but encouraged those in the audience to mentally script their actions if something happened while they were in a mall, movie theater, restaurant or even at home.  Mental scripting helps to decrease the time it takes for a person to reach a decision in an emergency situation.