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

  • Esports are Growing in Popularity

    Video games and esports are a popular social hobby, and it’s one that’s accessible to a wide variety of physical ability levels. Some esport student-athletes have started to earn scholarship opportunities, and high schools are beginning to form teams equipped with the same degree of resources as their physical sports teams. However, the two have very different needs.

  • Phoenix High School Completes First Phase of Campus Renovations

    Metro Tech High School, part of the Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) in Phoenix, Ariz., recently announced the completion of the first stage of a campus renovation project, according to a news release. The school reopened a series of public-facing business operations spaces including credit union, daycare, floral, cosmetology, and culinary services. It also includes new CTE learning spaces for the school’s nursing assistant, pharmacy, and sports medicine programs.

  • University of Rochester to Break Ground on New Student Life Center

    The University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., recently began construction on a new Student Life building, according to a news release. The first floor will contain campus-wide gathering, program, and rehearsal space; the second floor will play home to the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life.

  • DLR Group Announces New Mid-Atlantic Higher Education Leader

    Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that it has promoted Principal Shawn Gaither, AIA, LEED AP, to the role of higher education leader in the Mid-Atlantic, according to a news release. Gaither has served with the firm for more than 20 years, most recently as the national higher education business development leader.