Category: Campus Security

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Why Sports is a Great Outlet for Teenagers

It can help them release tension, relieve stress, and improve their moods. It can also help them learn new things and develop new skills. There are many reasons why sports is a great option for teenagers. Here are a few reasons why:

1. It can help young people develop social muscles.

It can also help them learn new skills. Sports can also help them develop a sense of team spirit. This can help them develop a sense of self-esteem.

2. It can help young people learn about their own body and their own abilities.

It can also help them learn about other people’s abilities. This can help them develop self-confidence.

3. It can help young people meet new people.

It can also help them learn about new cultures. This can help them learn about new things.

4. It can help young people develop their teamwork skills.

It can also help them learn about team culture. This can help them develop their teamwork skills.

5. It can help young people learn about their own emotions.

It can also help them learn about other people’s emotions. This can help them learn about their own emotions.

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PreK-12 Campus Security Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Are you looking for PreK-12 campus security apps, tools, and resources that you can use with your students? If so, we have you covered. Check out our list below. Let us know if there are any that we missed.

GoPad for Schools – GoPad Secure for Schools is an iPad app with a cloud administrator dashboard focusing on child security, attendance, and communication.  GoPad takes every aspect of campus security into account, managing attendance for children, faculty, staff, and visitors. Information is synced between the classroom, front desk, and administration and is backed up locally and on the cloud. If there is power or Internet failure, local GoPad backup provides faculty and staff with required medical and contact information. Access to this information is critical in the event of an emergency evacuation or when students are off campus at a school event.

Comply Works Workforce Solution –The system executes existing governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC) strategy with third-party contractors for complete compliance management. It also ensures that every worker has the right qualifications, permits, and security clearance. The system integrates document uploading and storage.

DIR-S – This is a school safety app, connecting schools and law enforcement with real-time chat and interactive maps. The Disaster Incident Report and Security (DIR-S) System is a software application customizable for you to manage emergencies and give you the maximum amount of time to respond and communicate in real time with those who will help.

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University Campus Security Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Are you looking for university campus security apps, tools, and resources that you can use in your district? If so, we have you covered. Check out our list below. Let us know if there are any that we missed.

Comply Works Workforce Solution –The system executes existing governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC) strategy with third-party contractors for complete compliance management. It also ensures that every worker has the right qualifications, permits, and security clearance. The system integrates document uploading and storage.

DIR-S – This is a school safety app, connecting schools and law enforcement with real-time chat and interactive maps. The Disaster Incident Report and Security (DIR-S) System is a software application customizable for you to manage emergencies and give you the maximum amount of time to respond and communicate in real time with those who will help.

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3 Ways That Technology Can Boost Campus Security

The need for increased security on college campuses is a growing concern for parents, family members, and loved ones. In the news and media online, you can hear or read about incidents, accidents, and even violent crimes that are taking place on US college campuses. Technology can offer increased security, regardless of the reason for the apparent increase in crime on university campuses. An increase in security on our college campuses should be one benefit of living in the age of growing technology. So, how can we use technology to keep our students safe?

  1. Security Alerts Delivered by Text Messages and Apps:

As a college student once, myself, I remember receiving text messages directly to my “dumb phone” through my college’s optional text message alert system. Even though I attended college without an Android or iPhone, I was able to receive immediate alerts from my university about threats on campus. Sometimes the alert was regarding an impending snow storm, and sometimes campus alerts via text message enabled me to be aware of a possible threat to campus security. Technology now has far surpassed the ability to protect its student bodies just through text message alerts. Although university’s security departments can quickly notify entire student populations through a simple text message, now as noted by Meghan Bortez many security apps and gadgets are widely available to students to increase their personal protection and security.

  1. Increased Lighting and Advanced Cameras:

Automatic lighting systems and sensors can be placed across entire university campuses to increase security. Some ways we can increase campus security are actually quite simple. we can protect our students by increasing the amount and quality of security lights. Students will feel more secure when walking back and forth to classes when security lights are distributed throughout the campus. No areas should be left completely in the dark. Neal Raisman author or “10 Steps to Create a More Secure Campus,” comments that increased lighting can not only offer increased protection but, may also decrease the student drop-out rate, because students may feel more secure when walking on campus at night. Also, noted by Meghan Bortez on www.edtechmagazine.com, an increase in the quality, quantity, and placement of cameras on university campuses can discourage petty theft and violent crime.  When crimes do occur, campus security should be able to view camera footage to help identify the perpetrator.

  1. Place Emergency Blue Light Phones Across Campus:

Some campuses are now placing “emergency blue light phone systems,” across their campus. At the University of Florida, police have installed emergency blue light phones across their campus. These “phones” enable you to alert security immediately of a security breach or concern without even placing a phone call. At the press of a bottom on one of these tall blue, highly visible phone systems, students can instantly contact their campus’ security dispatch center. By pressing the button, the dispatch center will also know the student’s location immediately. The dispatch center can send security personnel to that precise location and speak to the student. These emergency blue light phones are an excellent way to increase security on campus and should be put in use on every campus across America to decrease violent crime.

What Else Can We Do?

With the technology that we have available today, there should be no excuses why the students of America are not feeling safe on their own college campuses in the afternoon or at night. University alert systems increased lighting and cameras, and emergency blue light phones or other security systems can immediately increase the security and safety of student bodies. In addition to taking advantage of today’s technology developments, students, faculty, and staff need to work together to put in place effective security systems on their own campuses. Increase communication, collaboration, and inform your student body from orientation to graduation about how to stay safe.

Neal Raisman presents additional simple suggestions that can be used by everyone. For example, universities can offer defense classes and post the university police department and emergency contact information in public spaces. There should be no reason that today’s generation of young adults should fear their safety on their own college campuses with the options that we have available today, provided through technology and university and student collaboration.

 

 

 

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10 Technologies to Keep Schools Safe

With all the news of different school shootings, it is becoming increasingly important to take advantage of new technology to keep schools safer. Implementing effective high-technology security systems can be costly and lengthy but there are four tips to make the decision of what is best for your school:

  • Know your school’s unique needs.
  • Start small, then build smart…don’t try to implement every technology security system at once.
  • Head off controversy by including the families of students in the decision-making process.
  • Don’t forget to hire people to oversee, run, maintain, and upgrade the system.

With these four tips in mind, here are ten very popular and effective technologies that keep schools safe.

#1 Social Net Watcher

At a middle school in Indiana, administrators launched their new computer program, Social Net Watcher. This program works in “the cloud” to find dangerous words posted on Facebook which then, through the program’s algorithm, will alert the school administrators.  This program helps the school to keep an eye on cyber bullying. Bruce Canal, the President of Social Net Watch, said “With the new bullying law that went into effect in Indiana this summer, schools are now required to report to the Department of Education the number of bullying events that they’ve had. Our software also allows them to go in and create a report to send to the Department of Education.”

#2 Anonymous Alerts

Another technology that helps prevent bullying or other severe and dangerous situations such as a weapon on campus is the Anonymous Alerts app. At Round Rock ISD, students and staff can download this app on their Apple or Android products and can anonymously report incidents. Round Rock ISD spokesperson, Corey Ryan, mentioned that they want students to feel safe and comfortable when sharing concerns about safety and security.

#3 NetSafe Kit

Many schools feel that they can’t completely protect their students online. So, they are focusing on teaching students to be prepared and safe while online. This NetSafe Kit helps schools teach students cyber safety and digital citizenship.

#4 Visitor Management System

Many schools require visitors to sign in on a paper log and show proof of ID before entering the halls of the school. However, at Stow-Munroe Falls High School, the administration is using a technological visitor management system to protect its students. Visitors have their state or federal identification scanned and the system checks a national database of registered sex offenders.

#5 Entry Control Equipment

Not only should schools require visitors to check in with the office before going any farther into the school, but many schools feel it necessary to keep all exits locked at all times. These schools have entry control equipment: electromagnetic doors that can be remotely locked or unlocked. Visitors buzz in and the office staff can choose to unlock the doors for them or not.

#6 Metal Detectors/X-Ray Machines

Especially in inner-city schools where violence and drugs are rife, metal detectors and x-ray machines are a necessity to keep entrances to the school campus safe. This will allow detection of guns, knives, or other weapons before they are brought on campus.

#7 Surveillance Cameras

Over 90% of K-12 schools in the United States have security cameras and video surveillance equipment. Cameras should be placed in the school hallways, large rooms (such as the library, cafeteria, and gym), and especially near the front entrance. Some security systems come with alert buttons that send emergency transmissions to police.

#8 Panic Buttons

Teachers can wear small panic buttons such as the Mobile Duress panic button on their belts or pockets during the day. If some trouble or danger arises, the teacher can push the button and an alert is sent to both the authorities and the school administrators. The administrators will then make everyone in the building aware of the threat while first responders make their way to the school. Different brands of panic buttons can double as microphones or voice amplifications systems.

#9 Mass Messaging Software

Mass messaging software, such as e2campus, allow schools to immediately send messages to parents, students, faculty, and staff at the same time when there is a threat. Messages can be sent in the form of email, voice, or text and can be sent to both computers and smart devices. Even without threats or danger to the school, this program is nice to have to send community-wide reminders or memos.

#10 Alertus Desktop

Having all the computers of staff members connected is important to keeping the school safe. Using Alertus Desktop, or other similar programs, allows desktop alerts to appear on every computer screen on campus. This is a great idea, especially if a student or faculty member is in an area that doesn’t have great cell service. It can also help all staff members stay coordinated and be used to send staff memos and reminders.

Remember, the safety of the students and staff at your school are of the utmost importance. Don’t be too paranoid in your decision making, but be smart.