Go Back

Protect every child, every school, every day.

Founded in 2002, Raptor has partnered with over 52,000 schools globally, including over 5,000 K-12 U.S. school districts, to provide integrated visitor, volunteer, emergency management, safeguarding, and early intervention software and services that cover the full spectrum of school and student safety.

Protect every child, every school, every day.

Education & EdTech

Safe Return: How Schools Can Prepare for a Back-to-School, Part 1

August 13, 2024
back-to-school safety preparations
Director of Safety and Emergency Management at Fairview Park City Schools
Dr. Amy Grosso
Michael Matthews
+more
Sonia Gossai

 

 

In today’s episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, join host Dr. Amy Grosso as she sits down with Michael Matthews, the Director of Operations for the Fairview Park City School District in the Greater Cleveland Area.  Together, they discuss the crucial preparations and strategies necessary for ensuring a safe return to school for students and staff. 

KEY POINTS: 

  • The importance of balancing physical safety measures with the well-being of students and staff 
  • Implementing small, manageable changes over time rather than overwhelming staff with large-scale reform 
  • The critical role of engaging the entire school community, including staff and local agencies 

 Our guest, Michael Matthews, is the Director of Operations for the Fairview Park City School District in the Greater Cleveland Area. Michael oversees all operational aspects of the district, including business affairs and human resources. With fifteen years of experience as an Elementary Principal and Associate Middle School Principal and eight years as an Elementary Teacher, Michael is dedicated to prioritizing the well-being of students and staff in every decision, ensuring that all stakeholders have the essential tools for success. 

Recent Episodes

Practical tips for teachers
View episode

Get Tech Ready for Back to School: Practical Tips for Teachers

As classrooms across the country prepare for the new school year, integrating technology has become a key component of educational strategies. The global value of the EdTech sector is expected to reach $132.4 billion by the year 2032. Amid this increasing emphasis on digital tools in K-12 education, teachers must ensure their tech tools…

back to school
View episode

Safe Return: How Schools Can Prepare for a Back-to-School, Part 2

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso sat down with Craig Straw, Director of Safety and Emergency Management for Houston Independent School District (HISD). Listen and learn as he shares his experiences and strategies for back-to-school preparations and school safety management. KEY POINTS: Holistic Approach to School…

Small school districts
View episode

Just Thinking… About the Unique Needs of Small School Districts

Small school districts in California face unique challenges, from limited resources to staffing shortages. These districts often operate in rural areas where maintaining educational standards can be a daunting task. With the recent publication of the Rural (In)Equities: Building, Understanding, and Offering Solutions report, a conversation around these challenges has become more urgent. The…