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The Center for Safer Schools (CFSS) will hold its annual RISE Back to School Safety Summit from July 29-Aug. 2, 2024, at Union Station Conference Center at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, N.C.
RISE – the CFSS’ signature event – focuses on the Resiliency, Information, Support and Empowerment needed when supporting children and adolescents in schools and communities. The training offers a range of sessions covering the issues of bullying, suicide and critical incidents as well as other vital information about trauma and victimization among children and adolescents and how these various dynamics impact school climate and school safety. Scheduled trainings include gang awareness, School Risk Management Plans, reportable offenses, suicide prevention and Sandy Hook Promise's SAVE Promise Club.
Executive Director Karen W. Fairley said the CFSS has recently expanded its staff to include regional liaisons who will provide individualized, enhanced support for school districts across the state
“The Center’s staff has more than doubled in size since last year’s RISE,” she said. “We hope school staff and law enforcement engage with them all, especially our Regional School Safety Specialists. The specialists will have the closest interaction with School Safety Directors going forward, so RISE 2024 is a great opportunity to make meaningful connections.”
State Superintendent Catherine Truitt said a larger staff will allow the CFSS to be a better resource in all matters of school safety.
“The Department of Public Instruction is excited to have regional liaisons available for school safety,” she said. “RISE sessions not only will help our public school personnel gain knowledge in various aspects of school safety – including legislative requirements – but they will also give them an opportunity to foster relationships with the Center staff who will help guide their efforts.”
New for RISE 2024 is a parent/student component, which will be held by invitation only during the last two days of the summit. Sessions include internet safety, family engagement and resilience.
Fairley said it’s important for the CFSS to engage with parents, as they have a critical role in school safety.
“RISE launches our school safety initiatives for each school year. It is important that parents have a role in these initiatives,” she said. “What happens in the community goes over into the schools, and what happens in the school goes over to the community, and home is the base.”
Also, the CFSS Student Engagement Team held a contest for K-12 students in North Carolina public school units in conjunction with RISE 2024. The theme was “Shine a Light on What a Safer School Looks Like.”
The two middle school winners, four high school winners and the winning New Hanover County classroom will be announced during the opening ceremony.
Media: Training sessions are closed to the media. However, media representatives are welcome to attend the opening ceremony and the luncheon on July 29, featuring remarks from state, New Hanover County and City of Wilmington officials. More information on media availability, interview opportunities and RSVPing were shared last week in a media advisory. Contact communications@dpi.nc.gov for more information.
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.
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