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

Sonia Gossai
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

 

 

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

Microschool
View episode

With ESA Demand Outpacing Supply, How Can Utah Expand Microschool Access?

Across the country, education savings accounts (ESAs) are reshaping how families think about schooling—but in Utah, surging demand is outpacing available options. Last year, roughly 27,000 students applied for Utah’s ESA program, but only 10,000 scholarships were available. While parental interest in alternative education is booming, a new bottleneck is emerging: the supply of…

K-12 education
View episode

What K-12 Education Tries to Do—And Where It Misses

As America reevaluates what its public schools are truly for, new questions emerge about the purpose, performance, and priorities of K–12 education. A system once centered around teaching the “three Rs” now juggles responsibilities as diverse as social services, values instruction, and community governance. Yet, despite these ambitions, a growing chorus of education experts…

veterinary
View episode

Building a Stronger Veterinary Community: Vetcetera at WVC 2025

In the ever-evolving world of veterinary medicine, the path from student to professional can feel overwhelming. Between grueling board exams and the emotional toll of animal care, aspiring veterinarians and vet techs are often in need of more than just textbooks—they need a support system. That’s where digital platforms like VetPrep and VetTechPrep have…

Launch Your Branded Show Today

Engage your audience with original, industry-specific content.

Book a Demo Talk to an Expert