Condition Yellow, Condition Orange, Condition Red>>> Ok, the Department of Homeland Security has evaluated all the intelligence and issued the proper Alert Code, now what?? Does it seem that the websites and letters from the DHS are in a language not spoken by your school? Well, Now there is a translation! Keys has developed a document which can be added to your existing Crisis Plan to explain actions to be taken at each level of Alert.  There is even a matrix to make it even easier to understand the steps to take.

For more information go to: http://keystosaferschools.com/Key_Articles.htm#61
To Download a FREE Handout on "What school should do under the Homeland Security System - Severe Level": http://keystosaferschools.com/Reports/school_guidelines_hls.pdf

The Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine, Florida will host a Multi-County training (St. Johns County School District  & Clay County Public Schools) for trainers in Bullying Stops When Respect Begins. There are a limited number of training slots open for individuals outside the these counties. This program focuses and the 4 Domains of Bullying: 

The Bully

The Victim

The School

The Parents

To learn more about this training, go to March issue #7. To register for the training go to: http://keystosaferschools.com/calendar2003.htm#may2003 or click to open flyer to print. 

April 17, 2003 Keys To Safer Schools.com founders, Mike Nelson and Frank Green are being inducted into the Henderson Academy, an honors organization for distinguished alumni of Henderson State University. In a first ever move by the University, both men are being inducted as a team to signify the unique team effort that has resulted in Keys To Safer Schools.com and the thousands that have received services through their tireless work on behalf of school safety. http://www.hsu.edu/dept/alum/reddie_report/reddiereport.html

"I never dreamed of an honor like this," Nelson said. "I was just trying to help schools be safer places for kids to learn."

Letter May 6, 2003; from Robert E. Houston, Vice President for Academic Affairs

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for sharing your time with us last month during our fourth annual Founder's Day celebration.  I have received many positive comments from our students and faculty about your presence on our campus, and I hope that your experience here was meaningful as well.

We really enjoyed having you back on campus for what has become yet another Henderson tradition.  This is indeed a special place.  your presence as a former student and as a new member of the Henderson Academy continues to bring distinction to Henderson State University.

The 3rd Annual Conference on School Violence is scheduled at the Ramada Resort Maingate (just outside a popular theme park that features a large Mouse) for June, 16-17, 2003. Plan your vacation/family travel time now. Bullying will be the central theme this year.  This training will include Trainers in the Bullying Stops When Respect Begins and the Assessing the Potentially Dangerous Student Training, previously trained by Keys Staff and more...  

In response to current events and your requests, a special seminar has been added to present Homeland Security Codes and how to translate them into practical actions for schools to implement.

Trainers will include:

Lori Cimino, a native of Miami, Florida who works as a Behavioral Program Specialist in both the academic and residential departments at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind with students K - 12th grade.  She is certified as a trainer in a variety of programs including CHAMPs: A Proactive Approach to Classroom Management, Crisis Prevention Institute, and Assessing the Potentially Dangerous Student.  She will present Assessing the Potentially Dangerous Student and the role that Bullying has played in acts of violence within schools.  

Patrick Henry O'Brien is an attorney, School Board Member and an Assistant Prosecutor. He will be discussing Bully, Schools and the Law. He has experienced the rigors of school actions that result in litigation over bullying and seeing precious resources used for years of appeals.

Frank Green, LPC is a 20+ Retired Military Officer. He was a contributing author for Military Field and Training Manuals on Rear Area Combat Operations, Counter Terrorism Procedures, Order of Battle and others that deal with gaining knowledge about and countering the activities of insurgents and terrorists. He gained expertise in identification, methods of employing and functioning of explosive devices while serving in these positions. In assignments around the world and in the United States, Frank was responsible for Risk Assessment, Threat Analysis and Security for exercises and the dignitaries (at the highest government levels) who attended.

Mike Nelson, MS, LPC, NCC a native of Miami, Florida and Director of Keys To Safer Schools.com, is a Mental Health Therapist and past military Combat Controller/Air Traffic Controller.  He is a memeber of NASRO.  As a former Director of Program Development for a Tri-County Community Mental Health Center and Assistant Director of Youth Services for a Tri-County Community Mental Health Center, he provided Clinical work with serious offender juveniles and families. He has worked with parents of school shooting victims, law enforcement officers (ex. Officer who shot student in El Cajon, California, at Granite Hills High School.) , Superintendents at Schools involved in School Shootings (ex. Superintendent of Schools in Pearl, Mississippi) teachers, students, and more.

This conference will provide two days of dynamic information that can be used in your schools immediately. This is an excellent opportunity to combine a family vacation with CEU credits and a Business Expense Trip. The Ramada Resort has proven to be an super host in past years and we look forward to another great time. Mark your calendars now for this summer's conference. Keys@keystosaferschools.com or http://keystosaferschools.com/Orlando_2003.htm

The law of the land says that schools must establish an ALE for those students who cannot remain in a mainstream classroom, most often due to behavior. Most schools across the United States have set up some type of ALE for these students with disruptive behavior but stop short of addressing the whole student. Many are struggling with meager resources and even the theories behind such alternatives. Keys To Safer Schools.com has helped a number of Districts develop and operate an Alternative Learning Environment. These efforts have been successful through a MODEL APPROACH that provides for the needs of the student in 4 major areas: First and foremost is Academic, followed equally by a Behavior Component, Staff Training and Systems Elements. If you are no longer focused on academics, you are no longer a school. If Behavioral issues are not addressed and Staff are not trained specifically in managing behaviors, the students will fail in the alternative setting as surely as they failed in the mainstream. Lastly, systems elements such as policies, procedures and guidelines are absolutely essential to keep the alternative experience brief and goal oriented. To learn more about the Keys Model for Alternative Schools, go to: http://keystosaferschools.com/alemodel.htm

• Swipe test: 
  So New on the market they are not yet listed. The top four illegal drugs of abuse appear in the sweat and oils of the skin. Now Keys has a test kit that will allow you to swipe a cloth over any surface suspected of being handled by someone on drugs. Then just place the cloth in the bottle and wait 60 seconds. Computer keyboards, free weights, and other surfaces can now be tested to see if someone in your class or an employee has a drug problem. Contact Keys if this product would be of use in your organization.

• Date Rape Drug Testers: 
  Available for the first time! Keys has made special arrangements with the manufacturer to offer these testers in non-obvious tester to teens and parents who are concerned about the increasing number of people who use drugs to take sexual advantage of others. If you are suspicious of your drink, simply spill a drop on these business cards or coasters and discover in just a few seconds if it has been spiked. Don't let anyone take advantage of you.

• Alcohol: 
  Been to a party and not sure if you should drive home? Keys has a saliva based Blood Alcohol Content tester that will let you know if you need a cab.

• Street Drugs: 
  Parents, your teen is having problems with illegal drugs and desires to quit or needs your help. Keys can provide you a testing device for up to 10 of the most common street drugs. You can use them in conjunction with your personal family drug policies to help teen follow through and keep their commitment.

• Juvenile Probation: 
  You want your clients tested but it is so involved and there are so many rules from the Health Department about handling urine and from the Court about privacy in sample collection. Keys has a tester that uses a saliva swab rather than urine and is just as accurate.