- From the Executive Director
- CFSS Marks 10th Anniversary
- Student Engagement Program Contest
- School Tours
- RISE Call for Proposals
- Human Trafficking Training
- National Child Abuse Prevention Month
- First In-Person Training
- Adolescent Substance Use and Proactive Intervention
- NCSBT Conference
- Mini-RISE
- Training Center Donations
- Calendar of Events
- PSU Spotlight
- Follow Us
- Tell Us About It
As summer quickly approaches, we at the Center for Safer Schools – like all of you – are in the busiest part of the school year.
I am proud to have conducted the first in-person training session at our temporary Training Center in Moore County. The turnout was great, and we had lots of useful interaction and insights. Many more in-person trainings are scheduled, with information on a couple below.
I am even more proud of my staff, who did an amazing job with the CFSS 10th Anniversary Meeting. Led by interim Director of Operations Felicia Epps, they coordinated everything: logistics, program, refreshments and guest list. The meeting went smoothly, and I was grateful to see the dozens of school personnel and state officials who traveled to Raleigh to support us.
In closing, I am excited to share that the CFSS is beginning preparations for the annual RISE conference. This year’s RISE will be held at the Gastonia Conference Center in Gaston County from July 31-Aug. 2. Look for more details on registration and presenters in the coming weeks.
Thanks for your cooperation, and I look forward to your continued support and seeing you at RISE!
— Karen W. Fairley
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From left, Rep. John Torbett, State Superintendent Catherine Truitt, Center for Safer Schools Executive Director Karen W. Fairley and former Rep. Jamie Boles (DPI photo)
State and local education officials from around North Carolina gathered Friday, March 17 as the Center for Safer Schools marked its 10th anniversary (March 19) at the Education Building in Raleigh. The meeting recognized the accomplishments of the CFSS while also keeping the focus on the importance of safer schools.
During the anniversary meeting, officials praised the work of the CFSS – past, present and future.
State Superintendent Catherine Truitt stressed the importance of keeping parents engaged in school safety initiatives. The CFSS plans to add a parent engagement section, which Truitt said will complement the Parent Advisory Commission she created in June.
“Parents are their children’s first teachers and foundation for success in school and life,” she said.
CFSS Executive Director Karen W. Fairley thanked the General Assembly for its longstanding support of the CFSS.
Fairley stressed that it’s vital for the CFSS to support school districts.
“We respect educators,” Fairley said. “It’s the Center’s job to help them do better.”
In conjunction with its 10th Anniversary Meeting, the Center for Safer Schools held a Student Engagement Program Contest. Students were allowed to depict their interpretation of school safety, including posters, videos and poems. The following were announced as winners:
1st place (tie): Noah Kastner, ninth grade, Clover Garden School, Alamance County (poem); and Neil Patel, eighth grade, Vance Charter School, Vance County (short story)
2nd place: Anna Lloyd, seventh grade, Vance Charter School, Vance County (poster)
3rd place: Liliana Hernandez-Marcelino, fourth grade, Hawk Eye Elementary School, Hoke County (poster)
In addition, the third-grade class at J.W. McLauchlin Elementary School in Hoke County and the fourth- and fifth-graders of the Don Steed Elementary School Beta Club in Hoke County were recognized for going above and beyond with their video entries.
Center for Safer Schools Executive Director Karen W. Fairley began visiting school districts and charter schools in late March. The goal of the tours is to engage with school personnel on school safety issues and to address areas in which they believe they need support.
“These visits are intended to showcase accomplishments and to identify areas where school districts and charter schools desire more support,” Fairley said. “I believe it’s important to see firsthand the wonderful things districts and charters are doing regarding school safety.”
Fairley has already toured Macon County Schools, Graham County Schools and Buncombe County Schools. Scheduled tours in April include Cabarrus County Schools, ACE Academy (Harrisburg), Stanly County Schools, Onslow County Schools and Duplin County Schools.
If you or someone you know has a school safety workshop that would be appreciated by participants at the July 31-Aug. 2, 2023, RISE Back to School Safety Summit, please complete this form: Proposals. More information is available at this link: Information. If you have questions, send an email to cfss@dpi.nc.gov.
The Center for Safer Schools will conduct Human Trafficking for School-Based Professionals at the temporary Training Center on Tuesday, April 25. The training is designed to provide a comprehensive knowledge of human trafficking, highlighting current trends and perspectives.
After completing the training, attendees will be able to:
- Describe the types of trafficking in the United States.
- Recognize possible indicators of trafficking in school settings.
- Describe the importance of utilizing a trauma-informed approach when addressing human trafficking in school settings.
- Develop a trafficking response protocol for your organization.
- Assess the needs of individuals who are at risk of trafficking or who might have experienced trafficking, and coordinate services within a multidisciplinary network of service providers.
Registration closes at 3 p.m. Friday, April 21. See the registration link in the Calendar of Events.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which recognizes the importance of communities working together to prevent child maltreatment by helping families thrive. The statewide theme this year is "Nurturing Positive Childhoods Together: Prevention in Partnership.”
The most important thing we can do is support families all year long in ways that promote and build upon their strengths and enable them to care for their children safely before maltreatment is possible. Let’s work together to commit to effective strategies that support families and prevent child abuse and neglect.
CFSS Executive Director Karen W. Fairley on Thursday, March 16 conducts Reunification Training and Technical Assistance, the first in-person training at the temporary Training Center in Moore County. (CFSS photo)
Center for Safer Schools Executive Director Karen W. Fairley on Thursday, March 16 conducted the first in-person training at the temporary Training Center in Moore County. Reunification Training and Technical Assistance offered an overview of how to develop a Reunification Plan using best practice (FEMA/Homeland Security guidelines). Plan specifics were presented and discussed.
The next Reunification Training will be held Thursday, April 27. Registration closes at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 25. See the registration link in the Calendar of Events.
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Adolescent Substance Use and Proactive Intervention
Amanda Clark, Drug and Injury Prevention Manager for the Guilford County Division of Public Health, conducted Adolescent Substance Use and Proactive Intervention on Thursday, March 30 at the temporary Training Center. The training provided both school and law enforcement personnel a comprehensive perspective in overdose crisis among adolescents; drug use trends in schools; and drug myths.
(CFSS photo)
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NCSBT Conference
Center for Safer Schools Executive Director Karen W. Fairley made a presentation during the N.C. School Boards Trust Risk Management Conference on Feb. 28 in Raleigh. She reported on the mission of the CFSS and the steps that have been taken to make North Carolina schools safer.
(CFSS photo)
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The Center for Safer Schools is hosting “mini-RISE” sessions this spring. The smaller versions of the CFSS’ signature event will be offered free and online until June. Each “mini-RISE” session will be 30 minutes long and will include a speaker and Q&A.
All sessions will take place on Thursdays from 12:15-12:45 p.m. The “mini-RISE” sessions will take place virtually through Webex.
See the registration links in the Calendar of Events. For more information, send an email to cfss@dpi.nc.gov.
The N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s Center for Safer Schools School Safety Training Center will be located in Biscoe in Montgomery County.
The Training Center – in partnership with the N.C. Department of Public Safety – will be a first-of-its-kind designated school safety training facility, which was formerly a high school. With the help of your donations, the Training Center will be able to provide “real-life” training in an environment that accurately represents a school setting.
If your school or district has any school items to donate to the Training Center, please fill out the donation form at the following link: Donation Form.
Human Trafficking for School-Based Professionals
(Registration is free)
- April 25, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; 3600 Samarcand Road, Jackson Springs: Register
Reunification Planning for Schools
(Registration is free)
- April 27, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; 3600 Samarcand Road, Jackson Springs: Register
Mini-RISE
(Registration is free)
- 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
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PSU Spotlight
Congratulations to Tanya Trent, wife of Center for Safer Schools Director of Training Quintin Trent, on being named 2023 Teacher of the Year at Welborn Academy of Science and Technology in High Point.
(Submitted photo)
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The Center for Safer Schools welcomes newsletter submissions about school safety events from school districts and charter schools across North Carolina. Please email your information and photos to Charles.Kinnin@dpi.nc.gov.
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