School Safety Today

Protecting Private Schools and Faith-Based Communities

private schools

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies. In this episode of School Safety Today, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Adam Coughran, founder of Safe Kids, Inc., about how private and faith-based schools can strengthen safety practices despite limited resources. KEY POINTS: Physical systems, community engagement, and knowledge must work together for effective…

Read More

Latest

Education & EdTech
Addressing Bullying Through Prevention and Connection

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies. In this episode of School Safety Today, Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Dr. Melissa Mariani to explore school bullying prevention strategies, highlighting whole-school approaches, early intervention, and the power of positive climate in creating safer learning environments. KEY POINTS: Bullying erodes both physical and emotional safety,…

Read More
Education & EdTech
Connecting in Crisis: How Schools and Crisis Text Line Support Student Wellbeing

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies. In this episode of School Safety Today, Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Jana French of Crisis Text Line about the essential role the organization plays in supporting mental health, especially among students during the back-to-school season. They explore how Crisis Text Line empowers individuals to define…

Read More
Education & EdTech
Safe Schools, Informed Staff: The Power of Seizure Training

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso is joined by Allison Rone from Epilepsy Alliance Ohio and Tina Hegner from PublicSchoolWORKS to discuss the importance of epilepsy and seizure training for school staff. They explore how proper education, planning, and partnerships are vital to keeping students—and all…

Read More
Education & EdTech
Smart Safety: How Technology is Transforming School Event Security

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies. In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso talks with TJ Markland, General Manager of Payments at Raptor Technologies, to discuss the often-overlooked safety challenges of school events—from daytime assemblies to Friday night football. As schools work to balance hospitality…

Read More
Education & EdTech
Restoring Safety: A Holistic Approach to Threat Assessment

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies. In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Ray Fuller about how threat assessment can be deeply rooted in empathy, structure, and restorative practices. Fuller shares his journey from educator to districtwide safety leader, offering a look into…

Read More
Education & EdTech
Improving Emergency Response Planning in Schools

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso sits down with Dr. Vincent Iturralde, Chief Operations Officer for North Chicago School District 187. Dr. Iturralde shares insights from his educational journey, emphasizing the need for schools to update emergency response protocols, strengthen communication systems, and prioritize collaboration over…

Read More

Latest

data
Data Fluency and Human Connection Power Marketing Careers in the Age of AI
October 23, 2025

With new AI marketing tools appearing almost daily, it’s no wonder teams feel stretched thin. Yet beneath the constant buzz of automation and algorithms, the real drivers of growth haven’t changed: reliable data and thoughtful strategy. A recent Adobe study found that nearly half of marketers—a whopping 48%—say their biggest obstacle is ensuring data accuracy….

Read More
Architect
Architect’s Perspective: Retrofitting Aging Mall Properties
October 23, 2025

Architect Johnny Stewart, AIA, shares his perspective on retrofitting aging mall properties into vibrant, sustainable community hubs. He highlights three core strategies, starting with enhancing the property’s mixed-use capabilities by adding diverse tenants like gyms, pickleball courts, local restaurants, or even residential spaces to drive foot traffic. A second key area is improving parking and…

Read More
mental health
AI for Mental Health Support: How Kai Blends Human Empathy with Technology to Close the Care Gap
October 23, 2025

The mental health crisis has reached alarming levels across the globe. Rates of anxiety and depression continue to climb, with the World Health Organization is estimating that one in eight people worldwide now live with a mental health disorder. At the same time, access to care remains limited — especially for young people and…

Read More
security
Bringing Security into the Blueprint: How Early Collaboration Builds Safer Spaces
October 23, 2025

Too often, security is treated as an afterthought — something added once a building is nearly complete. On Security Sessions, Paula Balmori Beltrán, Global Director of Security Design and Integration at Brivo, talks with Brian Petruzzi, Head of Global Services Design, Engineering, and Construction at Meta, about why that needs to change. Petruzzi emphasizes the…

Read More
Other School Safety Today
Empowering Voices: The Role of Anonymous Reporting in Education
March 25, 2025

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso interviews Shawn Toadvine, Manager of Student Programs, Client Services, PublicSchoolWORKS. The discussion emphasizes that anonymous reporting is not just a compliance tool, but a critical element in school safety and student well-being. KEY POINTS: Fostering a culture of trust is…

Read More
Behavior Threat Assessment and Management in the Digital World
February 18, 2025

In this episode of School Safety Today, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Lea Bauer, an expert in threat assessment and protective intelligence. Lea highlights the value of incorporating a student’s digital world into threat assessments and offers schools practical guidance and resources for success. She also provides guidance on how to build and…

Read More
Learning from Averted School Violence to Prevent Tragedies
January 28, 2025

In this episode of School Safety Today, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Michele Gay, co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools, about the critical role of learning from averted school violence incidents. Michele highlights the importance of the Averted School Violence (ASV) Project, a unique resource that collects and analyzes “saves”—instances where school tragedies…

Read More
The Power of Preparation: Lessons from a Critical Incident
December 17, 2024

This episode of the School Safety Today podcast, by Raptor Technologies, features an in-depth discussion with Dr. David Diehl, Director of Student and Community Services at Selma Unified School District (CA), about the critical role of preparation in ensuring school safety. Dr. Diehl shares his experiences, including a pivotal crisis incident, and emphasizes how…

Read More
Being Prepared: The Role of School Crisis Teams
December 10, 2024

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy speaks with Benjamin S. Fernandez, MS. Ed., School Psychologist about the crucial role of crisis teams in schools. The discussion emphasizes the importance of preparedness, prevention, and relationship-building to effectively manage crises and ensure student wellbeing. KEY POINTS: Crisis teams play…

Read More
The Role of Trusted Adults in Student Resilience and Wellbeing
November 12, 2024

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Melissa Kree about fostering resilience in students. Kree shares insights from her role in student mental health and school safety. The discussion emphasizes the role of trusted adults in supporting students, exploring how resilience involves ongoing support from…

Read More
Shaping Successful Citizens: Destroying the School-to-Prison Pipeline for Student Success
October 29, 2024

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso interviews Chief Ronald Applin, Chief of Police at Atlanta Public Schools. The conversation centers around the department’s unique approach to law enforcement, focusing on student well-being, mental health, and reducing the school-to-prison pipeline. Chief Applin explains how the department addresses…

Read More
Navigating Threat Assessment for Autistic Students
October 15, 2024

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso sat down with Dr. Stephanie Leite, Senior Threat Manager. Gain valuable insights from her expertise as she delves into behavioral threat assessment, with a particular emphasis on understanding threat assessment in autistic students. KEY POINTS: Recognizing the critical distinction between…

Read More
SROs in Action: Balancing Safety, Education, and Mentorship
September 25, 2024

In this episode of “School Safety Today”, host Michelle Dawn Mooney speaks with Lt. Pamela Revels, President of NASRO and Lieutenant of the School Resource Division at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama. Drawing from 20 years of experience as an SRO, Lt. Revels highlights the vital role School Resource Officers have in…

Read More