CFSS to Host 8 ‘Mini-RISE’ Sessions

The need for instruction regarding school safety has never been more important. Threats to schools – both real and hoaxes – in recent months have put a spotlight on the need for preparation. Recent recoveries of weapons at schools across North Carolina have served as a reminder that a tragedy can happen anytime, and that the need for preparation is critical and ongoing.

The Center for Safer Schools’ annual RISE conference is intended to prepare all stakeholders for the upcoming school year by providing trainings from statewide experts in many fields. School safety is a yearlong focus, so the CFSS will host eight “mini-RISE” sessions this spring.

The smaller versions of the CFSS’ signature event will be offered free and online from March to June 2023, culminating in the annual statewide safety conference in Gastonia, N.C., from July 31-Aug. 2. Each “mini-RISE” session will be 30 minutes long and will include speakers and Q&A.

Bimonthly topics will include the following:

• Guns and Gang Violence (March 2): Register
• Behavioral Threat Assessment (March 9): Register
• Supporting Student Mental Health (March 23): Register
• Bullying Prevention (April 6): Register
• Trauma Informed School Safety (April 20): Register
• Restorative Justice (May 4): Register
• Emergency Preparedness (May 18): Register
• School Resource Officer Training (June 1): Register

All sessions will take place on Thursdays from 12:15-12:45 p.m. The trainings will take place virtually through Webex.

For more information, send an email to cfss@dpi.nc.gov.

About RISE

RISE training focuses on the Resiliency, Information, Support and Empowerment needed when supporting children and adolescents in schools and communities. This training offers a variety of information sessions to participants covering the areas of bullying, suicide, opioid and substance use, critical incidents and other vital information about trauma and victimization among children and adolescents, and how these various dynamics impact school climate and school safety. The most recent RISE conference was held in August 2022 in Greensboro, N.C.

About the Center for Safer Schools

The Center for Safer Schools serves to promote safe learning environments for North Carolina K-12 schools. The CFSS serves as a hub of information and technical assistance on school safety to school faculty and staff, law enforcement, youth-serving community agencies, juvenile justice officials, policymakers, parents/guardians and students. CFSS staff focuses on school climate, school discipline and emergency preparedness concerns for North Carolina’s public K-12 schools. CFSS staff is available to provide training, guidance and technical assistance upon request for school faculty and staff and those working with children and adolescents. The CFSS is headed by Karen W. Fairley, executive director.