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November Events, Opportunities, and Resources from SchoolSafety.gov

  • 1.  November Events, Opportunities, and Resources from SchoolSafety.gov

    Posted 11-18-2022 10:14:00 AM

    Latest News

    November is Infrastructure Security Month
    November marks Infrastructure Security Month, an annual effort to bring awareness to the role critical infrastructure plays in our communities. Critical infrastructure includes the nation's kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools, and keeping it secure is critical to our national security and overall way of life. Get involved in Infrastructure Security Month, and learn more about the ways K-12 schools can drive down risk and build resilience through physical security strategies and resources in this SchoolSafety.gov infographic.

    CDC Information and Resources on the Flu for the K-12 Community
    New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show early increases in seasonal influenza (flu) activity nationwide. The CDC offers information, materials, and tools for school administrators, teachers, staff, and parents to help reduce the spread of seasonal flu. Learn more.

    Protect Against Ransomware, Cyber Threats This Holiday Season
    Malicious cyber actors have often taken advantage of holidays to infiltrate networks and systems, including against K-12 schools. Leading up to and during the holiday season, K-12 schools and districts are encouraged to implement best practices and mitigations to reduce their risk to ransomware and other cyberattacks. Find resources for K-12 schools at StopRansomware.gov, and learn more about the simple steps school communities can take to reduce their cybersecurity risk posture in this one-pager.

    Upcoming Events and Opportunities

    Grants and Funding Opportunities

    School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) (Application Deadline: Ongoing)

    Visit the SchoolSafety.gov Grants Finder Tool for additional school safety-related funding opportunities.

    Events, Webinars, and Conferences

    Community Awareness Briefing (December 9) – This training, hosted by the Department of Homeland Security's Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, provides a foundation for communities across the country to learn about targeted violence prevention efforts. The program provides information and tools to assist with understanding these issues, as well as ways communities can protect themselves and their loved ones through effective prevention and intervention strategies.

    Becoming a Trauma-Informed School Webinar Series (January 9, 23, & 30, February 6, 13, & 20, 2023) – This six-session training series, hosted by the Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network, provides education on the fundamentals of trauma and how it emerges within our public schools. It will provide tools and perspectives on the complexities of becoming a trauma-informed school environment and will explore the logistical components of implementing best-practices on a systems-level for trauma-informed supports and protocols.

    Student Privacy and Data Security Winter Webinar Series: Data Security and Data Breach Response (January 25, 2023) – Day three of this webinar series, hosted by the U.S. Department of Education's Student Privacy Policy Office and its Privacy Technical Assistance Center, will emphasize current data security best practices for education data systems, address ways in which schools are vulnerable, share common security failures seen in districts, and feature a simulated data breach interactive presentation.

    Learning Without Violence: A School Violence Prevention Virtual Summit (February 15, 2023) –This half-day virtual summit hosted by the National Center for School Safety, the University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center, and the University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention will disseminate research, facilitate new collaborations, and explore school violence prevention strategies.  

    Human Tracking Webinar Series - Protecting Young People from Online Exploitation (On Demand) – This webinar by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments is focused on understanding what online exploitation is and how schools can protect young people from it.

    Visit the SchoolSafety.gov Events Page for additional school safety-related webinars, conferences, and more.

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    New School Safety Resources

    Physical Security Resources

    K-12 School Security Guide Suite
    This set of products is designed to inform safety and physical security planning for K-12 schools. It includes the K-12 School Security Guide (3rd ed.), which provides a comprehensive doctrine and systems-based methodology for vulnerability assessment and planning, and the School Security Assessment Tool, a web-based assessment that walks users through a tailorable vulnerability analysis.

    SchoolSafety.gov Physical Security Resource Infographic
    This one-pager features a sampling of resources, guidance, and tools to help schools and districts with their physical security planning and enhancement efforts.

    Violence Prevention Resources

    CISA's Critical Resources for Handling Bomb Threats
    This video details an array of tools and tips to help members of the public effectively respond to bomb threats, and discusses basic steps individuals can take to handle bomb threats and make informed risk management decisions to protect people and property.

    Designing for Safety, Designing for Learning
    This journal article covers the use of and principles related to Crime Prevention through Environmental Design to help reduce the number of triggering events that contribute to school violence.

    Five Things about School-Based Violence Prevention and Intervention Programs
    This fact sheet shares five statements on school-based violence prevention and intervention programs, including bullying prevention programs, that are designed to address a variety of issues faced by youth today.

    Additional School Safety Resources

    Cybersecurity Considerations for K-12 Schools and School Districts
    This training course is designed to help K-12 schools and districts understand cybersecurity considerations needed to inform school emergency operations plans and safety, security, emergency management, and preparedness programs.

    Mitigating Social Isolation in Youth
    This guide provides parents and educators with tips to help mitigate social isolation in youth and prevent students from radicalizing to violence.

    Visit SchoolSafety.gov for additional resources to support school safety and security efforts.

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    If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future newsletters, please contact us at SchoolSafety@hq.dhs.gov. Follow @SchoolSafetyGov on Twitter for additional school safety updates.



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    Adam Lustig
    Director, Center for Safe Schools
    National School Boards Association
    Alexandria, VA
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