In a powerful show of solidarity, last week’s Safe Schools Conference brought together more than 610 educators, law enforcement representatives and community leaders from 14 U.S. states and Canada behind the common cause of campus safety and security.
Organized by former California Secretary of Education Dave Long in collaboration with OCDE and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the three-day event occupied two floors at Delta Hotels Anaheim Garden Grove. Presenters highlighted the critical links between school safety, attendance and academic performance while encouraging even stronger alliances between the education community and their law enforcement partners.
The Safe Schools Conference, which marked its 14th year, has become a pivotal event for advancing student safety through the exchange of ideas and best practices. This year, attendees had the chance to participate in scores of breakout sessions covering topics such as bullying prevention, emergency preparedness, mental health, threat assessments, drug trends and more.
Collaboration and vigilance
“While the Safe Schools Conference provides a dedicated platform for educators, law enforcement representatives and community leaders to come together and prioritize student safety, it’s important to remember that these efforts extend far beyond the three-day event,” Long said. “Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students is an ongoing commitment that requires continuous collaboration and vigilance.”
In keeping with tradition, the conference featured a general session with a designated keynote speaker each day, and two community members were presented with Distinguished Safe Schools Awards.
This year’s Distinguished Safe Schools Award recipients were Deputy Tyler Gish, a school resource officer with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and Dr. Stephen Bayne, director of risk management, insurance and safety for the Irvine Unified School District.
OCDE’s Media Services team captured a few highlights from the conference in the video above.