West Virginia education leaders get national perspective on school safety

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – On Thursday, training leaders and regulation enforcement gathered for the first-ever West Virginia faculty security convention held by Mountain State Training Providers Cooperative.

Keynote audio system took the stage, together with:

• Frank DeAngelis, who was the principal throughout the Columbine Excessive College taking pictures in 1999.
• Molly Hudgens, who spent 90 minutes speaking a pupil out of a college taking pictures.
• John Newman, who’s the Chief of Safety and Emergency Administration of Hillsborough College District — which has 303 colleges.
• Rob Cunningham, who’s the Deputy Secretary of West Virginia Homeland Safety.

It’s no query how completely different security drills are these days in comparison with years in the past.

An occasional fireplace drill has escalated to lively shooter drills– coaching college students and lecturers on what to do, the place to go, and how you can in the end hold secure.

Former Columbine Excessive College Principal Mr. DeAngelis says whereas it’s so essential to speak about these eventualities and what to do in an lively shooter state of affairs, it’s to not frighten folks; it’s to assist put together.

“It’s to not scare … it’s the way you share your story, as a result of in our society it doesn’t matter if it’s in colleges, church buildings, the airport — we have to have a plan in place. As a result of, if not, I believe we’re doing a disservice to our youngsters,” DeAngelis stated.

Whereas faculty districts heighten safety and tighten security plans, we additionally heard from audio system about how significant relationships could make a difference– ensuring lecturers guarantee college students really feel heard and understood.

“If a baby doesn’t really feel secure, if a baby is hungry, they’re not going to study. You may have one of the best curriculum on the market. It’s about relationships, it’s about emotions and that’s what’s so essential,” DeAngelis stated.

Copyright 2022 WSAZ. All rights reserved.