The nSider – 2022 Q2 Newsletter
Questions Parents Need to Ask about School Safety
Planning for the coming school year is in full swing in administration offices across the country. Do you know what plans are in place for your child’s safety?
Helping your child with their homework and making sure they have the necessary tools that they need to succeed can go a long way toward supporting their education. However, it is also important to have a seat at the table when it comes to decision-making that will directly affect their safety. As a parent, knowing exactly what questions to ask when it comes to school safety is crucial. As a starting point, here are 5 questions to consider asking your local administrators:
- Does my school have a current and up-to-date school safety policy?
Your school’s safety and security policy should involve an emergency operations plan (EOP) and a general security plan. Unless you have proper policies and procedures in place, it is impossible to implement security technology and other security measures effectively. Effective policies and procedures alone can help mitigate risks. Reach out to your school principal or district administration to learn more about your school’s safety policies.
- Is my school investing in additional physical security measures?
When it comes to safety, preparedness is key. Ideally, every school should implement a visitor check-in/out system and secure all points of access to the campus, including parking lots, playgrounds, and field areas around the school. In addition, all schools should have some kind of visual surveillance system in place. Whether this is cameras on the outside of the buildings to see who is entering and exiting or cameras in every classroom, that will depend on the size of the school and the specific security concerns at each school. Another question to ask is whether classrooms are easily and quickly secured so that there are as few obstacles as possible to ensure classroom security in the event of a lockdown.
- How will I be notified in case of an emergency?
In any emergency situation, clear and timely communication is crucial. Many schools have a notification system in place that sends out text messages, emails, and phone calls to parents in an emergency. If you are unclear about how your child’s school will notify you in the event of an emergency, contact your school principal or administration office for clarification.
- What type of student mental health support services are available?
Undoubtedly, students suffering from mental health issues can pose a danger to themselves and others, making it vital for schools to provide counseling services to students in need. School, second only to family, is the most important developmental environment in the lives of young people. Reach out to your local school counselor to discuss available mental health resources and how your student can access them when necessary.
- How can I help?
You are the best advocate for your child! Find out what plans the school has in place for emergencies. You can also request that information and training sessions be offered. Volunteer to help organize a safety forum or open meeting for parents onsite. This would give parents and guardians the opportunity to learn from and speak with administrators, local law enforcement, and mental health professionals.
Here at nSide, we understand how overwhelming this topic of discussion can be. As a company, we take a personal approach to creating safer learning environments for all students and teachers. We offer a variety of options for security and prevention to make planning easier for schools and districts. For more information on how we can help keep your schools safe, explore our website at nside.io or contact us today at help@nside.io.
Outside Sales Representative – Tennessee
Job Title: Outside Sales Representative – School Safety Platform
Company: nSide, Inc.
Location: Tennessee
About nSide, Inc.: nSide, Inc. is a leading provider of innovative and comprehensive school safety solutions, dedicated to creating secure and nurturing environments for educational institutions. Our cutting-edge technology empowers schools to proactively address safety challenges and protect students, staff, and the school community.
Job Overview: As an Outside Sales Representative for nSide, Inc.’s School Safety Platform, you will play a pivotal role in expanding our presence and driving the adoption of our advanced safety solutions in educational institutions. Leveraging your expertise in consultative selling, you will build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders.
Responsibilities:
- Sales Strategy Execution:
- Develop and implement effective sales strategies to achieve revenue targets within the assigned territory.
- Identify and prioritize prospects, conduct market research, and stay informed about industry trends and competitors.
- Product Knowledge:
- Gain in-depth knowledge of nSide, Inc.’s School Safety Platform, understanding its features, benefits, and how it addresses the specific safety needs of educational institutions.
- Client Relationship Management:
- Build and nurture relationships with school administrators, safety coordinators, and other decision-makers.
- Conduct needs assessments and tailor solutions to address the unique safety challenges of each school.
- Product Demonstrations and Presentations:
- Conduct engaging product demonstrations and presentations, showcasing the capabilities and benefits of nSide’s School Safety Platform.
- Clearly articulate the value proposition and demonstrate how our solutions enhance school safety protocols.
- Proposal Development:
- Develop compelling proposals, including pricing, contract terms, and implementation plans.
- Address client inquiries and concerns, ensuring a thorough understanding of nSide’s offerings.
- Pipeline Management:
- Maintain a robust sales pipeline, accurately tracking and forecasting sales opportunities using the company’s CRM system.
- Regularly update management on progress, challenges, and market feedback.
- Collaboration with Internal Teams:
- Work closely with the marketing and training support teams to ensure a seamless customer experience.
- Provide valuable insights from the field to contribute to product enhancements and market positioning.
Qualifications:
- Proven track record of successful outside sales experience.
- Excellent communication, executive presence, and presentation skills.
- Self-motivated, results-driven, and capable of working independently.
Benefits:
- Competitive base salary and bonus structure
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Professional development opportunities
- Supportive and collaborative work environment
If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact on school safety and have a proven track record in outside sales, we invite you to apply and join the nSide, Inc. team in creating safer learning environments for schools across the nation.
When They Know But Don’t Tell
In 4 out of 5 school shootings, at least one other person knew about the shooter’s plans but failed to report it.* That statistic is staggering, and it begs the question: Why are we not reporting suspicious activity?
One issue is that those who know these plans are often children, and they are simply scared to come forward. This is understandable, as the burden of this knowledge can be too unimaginable or too heavy for an innocent child. Another issue is that we often miss the signs associated with potential violence, so when a child comes forward with information, the seeming absurdity of the information gets brushed aside.
In the aftermath of an event as violent as a school shooting, we are left stunned, heartbroken, and shaking our heads with the weight of our own feeling of helplessness. In our desperation, we spend a lot of our energy pointing the finger of blame, trying to find ground under our feet in the midst of a scary situation that, in truth, could happen to any of us.
One of the biggest mistakes we can make in the aftermath of a school shooting or other violent event is to assume that this is a school problem, and that we are outside the realm of control. However, few of us are truly isolated from our local schools and the communities that surround them. We all share a connection and a responsibility to look for signs of trouble.
In 4 out of 5 cases, someone knew.
So how do we make sure that we are recognizing the signs, and how do we make sure that children feel comfortable enough to report what they know?
- KNOW THE SIGNS
One of the first things we can do is make sure that we recognize the signs of potential violence. In the aftermath of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, a group of parents and relatives of the victims created a nonprofit called Sandy Hook Promise, whose goal is to educate children and community members about the signs of violence and prevent future events like the one that took their children’s lives. Through extensive research, they discovered the following signs of potential violence:
- Sudden withdrawal from family and friends
- Bullying; especially if targeted toward a particular race, gender, etc.
- Excessive irritability or anger
- Chronic loneliness or social isolation
- Expressing persistent thoughts of harming themselves or others
- Bragging about access to guns or weapons
- Making direct threats toward a place, themselves, or other person
- Recruiting accomplices or audiences for an attack
- Directly expressing a threat as a plan
- KNOW HOW TO REPORT
Once we know the signs, the next question is: What do we do with this information? The answer will vary depending on where you are and what is available in your community. One thing is clear, however: If this is an immediate concern or emergency situation, do not wait; Call 911.
For other situations, most schools or districts have a reporting system in place where you can fill out relevant information and it will be directed toward the appropriate party. Check your district’s website to see where to report or simply call the school so that they can direct you to the appropriate place. If your school has the nSide platform, you can also report via our TIPS page at tips.nside.io.
- LISTEN AND ACT
We know to act when we witness problematic behavior ourselves, but a lot of times, children are the ones who witness red flags in their peers. Sometimes children have a hard time processing what they know, and they do not report for a variety of reasons. One reason they don’t report is fear of retaliation or fear of being labeled a tattler or a snitch.
One way to combat this fear is by making sure we maintain an environment of trust in our classrooms, our schools, and even our households. Having honest, open conversations about hard topics can help students feel more comfortable coming forward later when they learn something troubling.
Another way to help students feel more comfortable reporting is to create or promote an existing anonymous reporting system. Reporting can actually put a child at risk, so having the option to report anonymously is extremely important.
Regardless of how students choose to report, the most important thing for adults to know is how to respond when we have that information. Understand and respect the fact that the student took a big risk in reporting and make every effort to act right away. It is vital not to waste time doubting or downplaying the situation. Every report must be taken seriously.
CONCLUSION
Expecting children to report what they know without guidance is a dangerous and all too common mistake to make. We must build trust with students by opening communication, allowing them to remain anonymous and, perhaps most importantly, taking them seriously when they do come forward.
One tool that can make reporting easier is nSide’s Tips page. Anyone using our platform can go to nside.io and click on Submit a Tip or go directly to tips.nside.io. For more information or for help getting started with Tips, please email us at help@nside.io.
Increasing School Safety Over the Summer
Summer is making its welcome arrival and as the busyness of the school year dies down, school administrators and others who work in school communities can shift their focus to improving their school environment for students returning in the fall. Utilizing the time you have available during the summer months to focus on your Emergency Operations Plan and emergency preparedness can make a tremendous difference when the routine of the school year kicks back into gear. Not only can you take this time to update your EOP, you can also use this opportunity to familiarize, train, and educate school personnel on how they can help.
Updating Your EOP
Making plans to keep students and staff safe, schools play a crucial role in taking preventative and protective measures that can save valuable moments when the unthinkable happens. This means each should dedicate time to ensuring that the information in their Emergency Operations Plan is up-to-date and that everyone in the school community knows exactly how to execute these plans in an emergency. The nSide Platform makes Emergency Operations Plans easily accessible, allows you to digitally record your emergency operations plan, and keeps you informed on what needs to be updated, what is in progress, and what has been completed.
Staff Training/Workshops
Everyone involved in your Emergency Operations Plan should be aware of their roles and responsibilities before, during, and after an emergency. With students out for summer break, dedicating time to training and familiarizing school personnel with your specific plan will ensure that everyone involved has all the information needed to respond to emergencies. Here are a few key training components you could provide:
- Hold a meeting with your staff to educate, familiarize, and discuss any updates to your EOP
- Visit your evacuation, reunification, media, and first aid sites to help your team members feel more confident in their ability to assist in an emergency
- Post key information throughout the building(s), such as evacuation routes, shelter-in-place procedures/locations, etc.
- Provide proper training for your staff on the necessary skills needed to fulfill their roles
You may also consider practicing your plan. This can include:
- Tabletop exercises: small-group discussions that walk through a scenario and the courses of action a school will need to take before, during, and after an emergency
- Drills: school personnel and community partners (e.g., first responders and local emergency management staff) use the school grounds and buildings to practice responding to a scenario
While planning and preparing are essential parts of any emergency operation, practicing is key to understanding pain points and identifying inefficiencies in your plan. nSide’s subject matter experts are skilled in conducting these types of training and helping your team enhance its emergency response and save lives.
Enhance Community Relationships
There are many things administrators can do to make their schools safe, but reaching out to local emergency responders and other community agencies and including them in emergency planning can make a huge difference. Collaboration among these partners is essential to ensure that schools can mitigate, respond to, and recover from emergencies. While many schools have already established these partnerships, enhancing them is never a bad idea.
nSide partners can allow their local agencies access to their platform by submitting a Memorandum of Understanding (or MOU). This is a letter of agreement that describes each agency’s roles and responsibilities and permits them to access the school’s information. Working with local law enforcement can also include implementing a School Resource Officer position, a specialized officer whose sole focus is the safety of the campus and students.
Implement Multidisciplinary Team
Research shows that perpetrators of targeted acts of violence tend to engage in both covert and overt behaviors preceding their attacks. Implementing a multidisciplinary team approach can aid in overall behavioral assessment and intervention to identify students in need and get them the resources they need. This team serves as a central convening body, so that warning signs observed by multiple people are not considered isolated incidents when they may represent escalating behavior that is a serious concern. Your multidisciplinary team should include representatives from a wide range of school personnel, such as:
- Principals
- Counselors
- School Resource Officers
- Teachers
- Other appropriate personnel
When the right people on your team come together to identify students exhibiting behavior that indicates an underlying need or issue, the root cause can be detected and the child will be able to receive appropriate and adequate care.
Update Safety Infrastructure
In addition to an emergency response plan, having the necessary infrastructure will ensure the effectiveness of that plan. Having the proper equipment in place and utilizing technology will aid in the efforts you have laid out in your emergency planning to prevent and respond to emergency situations. Some things you can put in place to boost your safety infrastructure are:
- Cameras
- Access control systems
- Fleet tracking technology
- Cell signal boost
- Emergency notification systems
Attend School Safety Conferences
Another way to build your emergency planning and response knowledge is to attend school safety conferences. Throughout the summer, conferences are held nationwide to encourage and prepare educators. These conferences are great educational opportunities where you can learn best practices, meet experts in the school safety field, and learn about new technologies and solutions that can help you execute safety improvements.
How Can We Help?
To keep schools truly safe, it is critical that a good plan is in place for emergencies and that each member of the school community knows what their role is in the event of an emergency. There are many moving parts when it comes to safety and the most important thing is that those parts are well oiled and synchronized. Otherwise, you are left with a fragmented system.
The nSide Platform is designed to integrate your school’s infrastructure, assets, and resources in one place that can be accessed quickly and easily. There are five key mission areas in school safety: prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. Everything we offer is centered around connecting your school community to make reactions quick and directions clear. We work to help you create an environment that saves lives and feels safe so learning can flourish.
Meet the Team – Angela Robinson
Up next in our Meet the Team series, we have our Executive Assistant, Angela Robinson!
What is your position with nSide: The School Safety Platform?
I am the Executive Assistant!
What is your most-used productivity hack?
I like to make priority lists and listen to focus music while I work.
What 3 items can you not live without?
Besides my family and friends, Diet Mountain dew, Cheeseburgers, and Alabama Football! Oh and Yellowstone!
What is your favorite thing about working at nSide?
My favorite thing about working at nSide is the wonderful working environment and the awesome coworkers!
What was your favorite subject in school and why?
I enjoyed Home Economics.
Outside of work, what are your favorite things to do?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family, playing with my millions of dogs, watching Alabama Football, and riding around in the country.
If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go?
If I could travel anywhere right now, I would go anywhere with a beach!
What 3 words would you use to describe yourself?
I would describe myself as loyal, compassionate, and crazy!
The Effects of COVID-19 on Students’ Mental Health
For the last two years, nearly everyone has somehow been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. School-aged children are no exception. Studies have shown that mental health struggles brought on by the pandemic appear to be the most common affliction for them.
LET’S DIVE INTO THE NUMBERS
The American Psychological Association conducted a study of 107 high school students to assess the extent of any mental health struggles they may have experienced. This survey concluded that students of various ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds reported they had experienced some degradation in their mental health.
- 77.4% of White students
- 53.6% of Asian students
- 50% of Black students
This data makes it clear that the impact of the pandemic has been far-reaching and unpredictable.
WHAT ARE PARENTS NOTICING?
In April 2022, NPR and Ipsos asked parents if they had seen symptoms of mental illness or other behavior changes in their child(ren). Parents reported they had seen an increase in anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, and attention disorders in their children.
- Increase in Anxiety: 19%
- Increase in Depression: 12%
- Increase in ADHD: 9%
- Increase in Another mental or emotional health issue: 6%
- Increase in A learning disability: 5%
With the increase in symptoms parents are seeing, 73% of parents admitted that their child would benefit from mental health counseling and 78% believe social and emotional wellness programs are beneficial.
WHAT SHOULD EDUCATORS BE LOOKING FOR?
While specific mental health issues can present in various ways, many symptoms can overlay. Consult with a school counselor, nurse, or administrator and the student’s parents if you observe one or more of the following behaviors:
- Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than two weeks
- Intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities
- Extreme difficulty concentrating or staying still that puts the student in physical danger or causes problems in the classroom
- Severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
- Drastic changes in the student’s behavior or personality
WHAT CAN SCHOOLS DO TO HELP?
Educators can often be the first people to notice the signs of mental health issues. It is important that schools find ways to support the mental health of all students, not just individual students who may exhibit behavioral issues. In March 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services shared a list of School-Based Mental Health Services resources that included everything from early care to emergency response.
By making a few changes and bringing awareness to teachers, staff, and administrators schools can create a space that cares for the emotional well-being of students that extends beyond the classroom. Here are a few things you can do to make that happen:
- Educate staff, parents, and students on symptoms of and options for help with mental health problems
- Teach and reinforce positive behaviors and decision-making
- Promote social and emotional competency and build resilience
- Help ensure access to school-based mental health supports
- Recognize when young people are at risk for or are experiencing mental health problems
- Identify how to intervene early and appropriately when there are problems
It is evident that COVID-19 has had extensive impacts on so many of our lives. The upheaval of the academic structure has been difficult for kids, and as teachers and students return to the classroom, it is vital that awareness of these mental health issues and the indicating behaviors are at the forefront.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to School Safety
It is undeniable that school shootings have become all too common across the country over the past two decades. Each time one of these tragedies dominates our national media, schools everywhere are left pondering, “Was there anything that could have prevented this?”
The answer to this question is as complex as the issue of school safety itself in an era of lightning-fast technology development and increasingly complex social issues. In a time of unprecedented uncertainty, schools are starting to expand to a multidisciplinary approach to school safety.
In 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice partnered with multiple law enforcement agencies to identify from a law enforcement perspective the ten most essential actions schools and districts can take to prevent mass casualty events and respond when the unthinkable happens. These multidisciplinary actions included:
- Comprehensive School Safety Assessment
School safety plans must be kept up-to-date and relevant to changing circumstances. Many times, schools fail to include essential elements in their plans, such as emergency mass communication, family reunification, and consistent long-term mental health support. Safety plans should be updated yearly at minimum and reviewed thoroughly with faculty and staff.
- School Climate
Preventing violence and bullying at school starts with an environment of trust and positive relationships. Everyone at a school is responsible for cultivating an environment where students feel safe and where communication stays open. The more comfortable students feel communicating at school, the more likely they are to speak up when a dangerous situation arises.
- Campus, Building, and Classroom Security
Having a physically secure campus is perhaps one of the most important and actionable preventative measures a school can take. Secure locks, access control, and video surveillance are vital to school safety. Silent alarms, such as those activated by apps like nSide|Lockdown™, are also life-saving tools in an emergency situation.
- Anonymous Reporting Systems
Reporting a potential threat can be difficult, especially in a situation that puts the reporter at risk. Anonymous reporting systems have proven to be very successful in states like Colorado, where their program Safe2Tell had over 1,500 reports of suicidal threats in just one semester (2018). Anonymous Reporting Systems give officials a way to intervene before an incident even occurs.
- Coordination with First Responders
Many schools have SROs (School Resource Officers), but partnering with local law enforcement and first responders can be hugely beneficial for any school. Having mutual training with first responders and school officials can help build an understanding of safety from both sides. It is also important for local first responders to have access to school maps with locations of classrooms and safety equipment easily identifiable when given directions at the time of an emergency.
- Behavior Threat Assessment and Management Team
According to the U.S. Secret Service, threat assessments of a child’s concerning behaviors are most effective when including a multidisciplinary team that includes teachers, administrators, school resource officers, and school mental health professionals. Choosing members of a threat assessment team is a delicate process, understanding that all members must be highly-trained but also from a variety of backgrounds to provide support for an at-risk child from multiple fronts.
- School-based Law Enforcement
Only around 42% of schools in the U.S. have at least one SRO (School Resource Officer) on campus. SROs are specially trained to work in a school environment and to respond to school-specific situations. When hiring an SRO is not possible, schools also have the option to partner with local law enforcement to see what they recommend. It is crucial for any security personnel to be properly trained in school-specific situations with a focus on adolescent development, de-escalation, trauma-informed response, and crisis intervention.
- Mental Health Resources
There is no doubt that mental health issues play a key role in school shootings and other violent situations on school campuses. Unfortunately, schools have historically been understaffed in mental health positions. Mental health professionals are crucial, not only for trauma response in the aftermath of a violent event, but also for prevention of violent events with regular mental health monitoring and intervention.
- Drills
Most school children are no strangers to fire drills, weather drills or even lockdown drills, but it is important for schools to evaluate necessary and appropriate drills for their particular location and population regularly. In addition, school faculty and staff should be trained in expanded drills to include family reunification efforts, communication during an event, as well as locations and use of emergency and first aid equipment.
- Social Media Monitoring
While most social media activity by children and teens is harmless, it can be used in a way to escalate negative social situations, especially with cyberbullying. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, social media alerting systems “provide constant online scanning of messages within a geofence around a school or school district to identify threats and at-risk behavior including cyberbullying.” With appropriate safeguards in place to protect privacy, these monitoring tools can be extremely effective at mitigating a potential threat. As always, these systems work best when accompanied by accountability from parents and the community.
nSide, Inc.™ is proud to offer a platform to house your school’s multidisciplinary safety plans. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with all we have to offer to help keep schools safe.
Email us at help@nside.io so that we can help you build the best safety plan for your school!
Sources:
Meet the Team – Quan Nguyen
Up next in our Meet the Team series, we have one of our Software Developer’s, Quan Nguyen.
What is your position with nSide: The School Safety Platform?
I am a Software Developer with nSide: The School Safety Platform.
What is your most-used productivity hack?
I avoid multitasking and set single goals for each day.
What 3 items can you not live without?
I can not live without my laptop, cellphone, and books.
What is your favorite thing about working at nSide?
I enjoy the friendly co-workers. They treat me like a family member.
What was your favorite subject in school and why?
My favorite subjects in school were computer science, mathematics, and physics.
Outside of work, what are your favorite things to do?
I enjoy learning new technologies, playing video games, reading books, and walking around Florence.
If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go?
If I could travel anywhere right now, I would go to Ben Tre, Vietnam (my hometown).
What 3 words would you use to describe yourself?
I would describe myself as loyal, enthusiastic, and curious.