Free School Safety Conference Set for Sept. 25

Lemont, Ill. — The Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Terrorism Task Force, Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200, Oak Park Police and Fire Department, RETA Security and Proviso Area for Exceptional Children invite you to heighten your safety awareness by attending a gathering of experts in the field of school safety and crisis prevention. At no cost to you, come and learn how to enhance the safety and security of your school facility on a day-to-day basis and long term. This vital information will be practical and easy to apply, and there will be ample time for you to ask specific questions. Theodore Roosevelt once said “you never have trouble if you are prepared for it.” This statement takes on significant meaning as schools try to ensure the safety of their students in today’s vulnerable world. We hope you will join us to hear from the subject matter experts.

CPDU/CEU paperwork will be provided on site. All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served. We have also arranged to have Security vendors on site.

Who Should Attend?

  • District Administrators
  • School Administrators
  • Police & Fire
  • Transportation Directors
  • Parties in Charge of Safety

Guest Speakers and Topics

  • Jonathon E. Monken –Director Illinois Emergency Management Agency
  • Ron Ellis – State Program Director, School & Campus Training Project
    “Discussing Understanding Bomb Threat in a School Environment Setting”
  • David Ruhland – Director of Human Resources Oak Park & River Forest H.S.
    “Discussing The Threat Within: identifying and addressing staff issues that arise in the work place. What are signs of someone that may have the potential of going off the “deep end” in your work place, and what steps might you take to diffuse and treat the symptoms?”
  • Fabian Ramirez – Expert in Anti-Bullying and Drug Prevention Specialist from Dallas Texas
    Discussing Bulling prevention is near to Fabian’s heart simply because he was bullied in middle school and he knows the psychological impact that bullying can have on students.
  • Paul Timm, PSP – RETA Security, Inc. – President
    “Discussing Social Media Risks & Solutions” Schools are faced with the daunting challenge of protecting students, staff, and visitors in an increasingly complicated technology world. Join us in identifying and taming the latest social media risks. At the same time, learn about ways to benefit greatly from social media tools. This informative presentation will also identify state cyber safety requirements. Be ready to use your tablets, smartphones, and laptops!
  • Tony Lebron - Standardized Field Sobriety Testing/Drug Recognition Expert Statewide Coordinator
    “Discussing programs on DITEP - Drug Impairment Training for Educational Professionals, DRE - Drug Recognition Expert, and ARIDE - Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving enforcement.”
  • Randy Braverman – Director of Campus Safety - Oak Park & River Forest High School Conference and Safety Panel Moderator
  • Jonathon E. Monken –Director Illinois Emergency Management Agency
  • Dr. Sandy Ellis – Instructor, Texas A&M University System, NERRTC, TEEX, Public Safety and Security
  • David Young – FBI – Special Agent – Chicago -Liaison between the Behavioral Analysis Unit and local law enforcement
  • Rick Tanksley – Chief of Police – Oak Park
  • Kenneth Klemm - Deputy Chief of Fire - Oak Park
  • Paul Timm, PSP – RETA Security, Inc. – President
  • Melissa Hemzacek, LSW -Office of the Illinois Attorney General – Internet Safety Specialist
  • LT. William Evans – Cook County Sheriff's Police
  • Dr. Steven Isoye – Superintendent – Oak Park & River Forest High School District 200
  • Dr. Terry Smith – Executive Director – Proviso Area for Exceptional Children
  • John Phelan – School Board President - Oak Park & River Forest High School District 200

Conference Extras

  • View the most current safety products on the market from vendors dedicated to school safety and security.
  • Everyone in attendance will receive a complimentary gift.

Register by 09/09 at www.gbriskcontrol.com/retasecurityregistration/.

Featured

  • 144-Year-Old High-School Campus Debuts New Academic Facility

    San Diego High School (SDHS) in San Diego, Calif., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new student services and classroom building; the project is part of a larger SDHS Whole Site Modernization project that began in 2022.

  • Tennessee Middle School Completes Health, Life Safety Renovations

    The Giles County Board of Education in Pulaski, Tenn., recently announced that a series of renovation projects has been completed at Bridgeforth Middle School, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects & Engineers and Brindley Construction to modernize building systems at one of the district’s oldest schools.

  • College of the Desert Hits Construction Milestone on New Campus

    College of the Desert recently announced that the construction of its new Palm Springs Campus in Palm Springs, Calif., recently reached a major construction milestone, according to a news release. The college is partnering with general contractor C.W. Driver Companies, which recently “topped out” the facility by placing the final beam in its structure.

  • USC Launches Major AI Initiative After $200M Gift

    The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., recently announced that it has launched a “transformational” new AI initiative thanks to a $200M gift, according to a news release. The project will leverage AI toward breakthroughs and innovations in subjects like the health sciences, business, security, and the arts.