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President Bob Ellis first showed his determination at a very young age.
WSSCA President Robert Ellis has set his goals high for 2015. After leading his organization through a highly successful Annual Conference (our 47th) Bob is determined to continue moving WSSCA to new heights. One of our challenges is to find ways to reach our members who have a difficult time attending our training sessions due to distance factors. While the early steps taken show promise, Bob and his staff are working on a distance learning arrangement that may allow members to travel shorter distances to experience the training WSSCA provides – training that all members really must have. Unsafe schools know no bounds and students and staffs in our northern- most districts deserve our best efforts to make this happen. Much needs to be done yet but rest assured, this is among Bob’s highest priorities – and we all know how determined he can be.
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U.S. Department of Education Releases Human Trafficking in America's Schools Guide
U.S Department of Education Article.
Trafficking of children or the sale of children is modern slavery. It involves exploiting a child for the purpose of forced labor, commercial sex, or both. Trafficking of children or the sale of children is modern slavery. It involves exploiting a child for the purpose of forced labor, commercial sex, or both. An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked each year worldwide, and the problem is dire right her in America.
Schools can and should be safe havens for students, and even more so for students whose lives are otherwise characterized by instability and lack of safety or security. School personnel are uniquely well positioned to identify and report suspected abuse and connect students to services- actions that can prevent trafficking and even save lives.
Everyone who is part of the school community- administrators, teachers, bus drivers, maintenance personnel, food service staff, resource officers, and other school community members-has the potential to be an advocate for child victims of human trafficking, but we must learn the indicators of the crime, its warning signs, and how to respond when a student is an apparent victim.
Human Trafficking in America's Schools is a guide for school staff that includes information about risk factors, recruitment, and how to identify trafficking; what to do if you suspect trafficking, including sample school protocols and policies; and other resources and potential partnership opportunities.
For more information and to download a copy of the guide,
visit, http://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/human-trafficking-americas-schools
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COMPLAINTS FILED AS SCHOOL CONDUCTS UNANNOUNCED ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILL
On November 18, 2014, the Chief of Police in Polk County, Florida, conducted an unannounced active shooter drill in a middle school, and there are complaints from teachers and parents who had not been informed. The chief said the drill was a good way to test the school’s response, and there is some truth to that. However, having a gun pointed at you is a very traumatic experience. As a former police officer, I have been on the wrong end of a gun several times and I did not like it. But don’t just take my word for it – ask any bank clerk or store teller who was the victim of an armed robbery. Ask them how long it took to get over the terror of that experience. For some, we may never know - because they quit that same day.
As a former Army officer, we always drilled into the heads of our trainees that “the more you sweat in training- the less you will bleed in battle.” And that is true. But these are kids – not soldiers. The 2014 FBI statistics are clear that active shooter incidents are increasing and are becoming more deadly, but I believe we can find better ways to make our schools safe than unannounced drills, like this one.
That is why WSSCA has contracted with the ALiCE Training Institute to present two separate sessions on how to respond to armed intruders. The first is in Merrill on March 26 and 27. The other is in Oconomowoc on August 3 and 4. To register, please go to the WSSCA website at: www.wssca.org. and click on the ALiCE Logo. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at any time.
These sessions are recommended for school administrators, safety/security coordinators, school resource/liaison officers, local police/sheriffs, emergency planners, and others interested in providing options to schools in an active intruder incident.
Registration for the Merrill ALiCE Session began January 15. Registration for Oconomowoc begins May 1. Watch for a special Registration Form in your email soon! Be prepared!!!
WSSCA thanks the school districts of Merrill and Oconomowoc for hosting these life saving training sessions. We can only accept the first 60 registrations so register soon!
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WSSCA DOES SCHOOL SECURITY ASSESSMENTS.
"Schools should be required to to perform an assessment (all hazards and risks) every 3 to 5 years unless intelligence or events suggest a more rigorous schedule." That is a quote from the Sandy Hook Commission Report. WSSCA has a team of trained and experienced assessors who can give school leaders a good idea of the safety and security posture of their respective school. Working with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, through a grant it received from the federal government, WSSCA is lining up schools for assessments that MAY be given some form of reduced or even a free assessment. While some minor details are being worked out within the next few weeks, WSSCA is preparing a list of schools who wish to take advantage of this financial support. Generally, an assessment will cost about $1,100 per school. For details, contact the WSSCA Executive Director at WSSCA@WSSCA.ORG, or call 414-559-7487. More than 50 Wisconsin schools have been assessed by our team thus far. This grant expires at the end of 2015 so register now.
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THANK YOU ROOMSPONDER.
In an earlier newsletter, under the headline "Cyberbullying and Threats Made Easier on Campus" I noted that a new app was making things tough for schools. It was great information that I had received indirectly from Sara Hathaway of Roomsponder LLC, and I want to ensure that she gets the credit for the details in that article. Roomsponder is a long-time friend of WSSCA and a regular exhibitor at our Annual Conferences. Thank you Sara, and I look forward to more information from you that we can share to help make schools safe.
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I LOVE YOU
A group of women were at a seminar on how to live in a loving relationship with their husband.
The women were asked, “How many of you love your husband?"
All the women raised their hands. Then they were asked, "When was the last time you told your husband you loved him?" Some women answered today, a few yesterday, and some couldn't remember. The women were then told to take out their cell phones and text to their husband: "I love you, sweetheart." The women were then instructed to exchange phones with another person, and to read aloud the text message they received, in response.
Below are some replies.
1. Who the hell is this?
2. Eh, mother of my children, are you sick or what?
3. Yeah, and I love you too. What's up with you?
4. What now? Did you crash the car again?
5. I don't understand what you mean?
6. What the heck did you do now?
7. Don't beat about the bush, just tell me how much you need?
8. Am I dreaming?
9. If you don't tell me who this message is actually for, someone will die.
10. I thought we agreed you wouldn't drink during the day.
11. Your mother is coming to stay with us, isn't she?
Valentine’s Day is coming and we thought this would be a good reminder to tell your sweetie that you love him or her – before you get a strange text message.
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
“It is possible to give without love, but it is impossible to love without giving.” – Richard Braunstein.
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WSSCA SCHOOL SAFETY COORDINATORS CERTIFICATION COURSE MODULE 4 IN APRIL. WATCH FOR DETAILS IN YOUR EMAIL.
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Peter P. Pochowski
Executive Director and Editor
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This Month's Featured Corporate Sponsors: For more sponsor information click on their logo!
  
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Executive Committee
President Past President First Vice President Second Vice President Secretary
Bob Ellis Al Benhke Pat Meyer Brian Kofarnus Jeff Siegman
East Troy Howard-Suamcio DePere Greendale South Milwaukee
Board of Directors
Norm Davis Jeremiah Johnson Jim Jozwiakowski Steve Lewis Alyssa Moen
Westby Muskego-Norway Cottage Grove Rice Lake Platteville
Matt Newman Jessica Schroeder John Stangler
Oconomowoc Chippewa Falls Pewaukee
Board Advisors
Bill Freeman Gary Rosploch Jodi Traas Dave Young
Lake Mills Muskego Appleton Brookfield
IT Director
Bob Severson
Eau Claire
Executive Director
Peter Pochowski
Milwaukee
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