From the desk of Jon Akers, Executive Director of Kentucky Center for School Safety We had a super successful conference last year. We had nearly 600 attendees. We can accommodate 700 max this year. Holding it at Great Crossings High School in Scott County was the perfect venue for such a conference. So mark your calendars for our COST FREE Conference. Registration will begin in March of 2025. (We only ask you to register with us so we can get...

From the desk of Patricia Greer, Director of Kentucky Center for School Safety Resource Center The principal Update is now live on the website. View the December message.  A few highlights: Schools with students in grade 6 or higher must start preparing for the 2nd round of suicide prevention requirements.  The second session for students must be completed by January 15th. Winter break is a great time to inspect emergency equipment.   Familiarizing yourself with CPTED principles before you walk around the building...

From the desk of Patricia Greer, Director of Kentucky Center for School Safety Resource Center The November Principal Update is available and live on the website.  Topics covered include the Safe Schools Week Campaign, Veteran’s Day requirements, and MTSS resources.  Reminder:  If schools have yet to participate in the Safe Schools Week campaign, they can still do so and complete the pledge.   Safe Schools Week Website:  https://kycss.org/safe-schools-week/“Level Up”Pledge: https://kycss.org/safe-schools-week/safety-week-pledge/Districts Statistics: https://kycss.org/safe-schools-week/pledge-results/

From the desk of Jon Akers, Executive Director of Kentucky Center for School Safety Please spread the word on both of these free trainings. Tall Cop is back again….He’s the most sought after national presenter on the topic of drugs in the schools. We’ve had him present to us in person and virtually several times. You all he’s fantastic! So here he is coming to you on your computer on November 12th from 9-11 a.m. Eastern time. Back by popular...

From the U.S. Department of Homeland Security The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released the Anonymized Threat Response Guidance: A Toolkit for K-12 Schools, a new resource to help kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools and their law enforcement and community partners create tailored approaches to addressing anonymous threats of violence, including those received on social media. The toolkit outlines steps school leaders can take to assess and respond to anonymous threats, better prepare for and prevent future threats, and...

After the tragedy that occurred recently in Winder, Georgia, KCSS is aware that school communities are feeling the impact. Below are multiple links to resources to assist school leaders. Sample letterNational Tragedy (revised for state or local) Guides to talking with studentsTalking to Children about the Shooting (NCTSN)Talking to Kids about Tragedies (Such as Shootings and Terror Attacks) in the News: (National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement) And other helpful resources Emergency Guide: Tragedy Resources: On this page, you will...