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Health & Safety
With another tragic school shooting recently in the news, OCM BOCES has committed to renewing their efforts to improve student safety. Some of the more salient measures in progress include:
Committees within this effort will focus on key elements of the school safety puzzle: student/teacher training, threat assessments, building/grounds assessments and the role of law enforcement in schools. Once this work is complete, the task force will make recommendations to local boards of education on appropriate steps to take for reviewing and implementing policies on student safety. The hope is to have this work completed by the end of August.
Additionally, as part of his work for the New York State Education Department, the superintendent is taking part in efforts to secure more funding for school resource officers (SROs) and security equipment, as well as efforts to allow BOCES across the state to provide well-trained SROs as a service to districts. OCM BOCES will be exploring the possibility of having school resource officers at our Cortland and Onondaga campuses.
The paramount challenge of keeping students safe is everyone’s responsibility: from teachers, staff and administrators who work on the front lines; to the law enforcement entities who respond to tragic situations; to the media whose reporting draws attention to the issue; to the parents and community members who support our schools; and especially to the students who engage with their peers.
- Additional school safety training will be soon be implemented for all OCM BOCES staff.
- All OCM BOCES safety plans will be reviewed and adjusted to make sure they are clear and effective. In addition, the language on all physical labels affixed to safety-related equipment, such as doors and cameras, will be reviewed and updated.
- A new software program to enhance school safety, called NaviGate Prepared, is being launched. This software streamlines preparedness efforts in schools and offers real-time access to information and assistance during emergency situations.
Committees within this effort will focus on key elements of the school safety puzzle: student/teacher training, threat assessments, building/grounds assessments and the role of law enforcement in schools. Once this work is complete, the task force will make recommendations to local boards of education on appropriate steps to take for reviewing and implementing policies on student safety. The hope is to have this work completed by the end of August.
Additionally, as part of his work for the New York State Education Department, the superintendent is taking part in efforts to secure more funding for school resource officers (SROs) and security equipment, as well as efforts to allow BOCES across the state to provide well-trained SROs as a service to districts. OCM BOCES will be exploring the possibility of having school resource officers at our Cortland and Onondaga campuses.
The paramount challenge of keeping students safe is everyone’s responsibility: from teachers, staff and administrators who work on the front lines; to the law enforcement entities who respond to tragic situations; to the media whose reporting draws attention to the issue; to the parents and community members who support our schools; and especially to the students who engage with their peers.
