2016: Fourth Quarter Update

Much like quarters one, two, and three, we found ourselves on the road, sharing our mission of improving school safety.

October travels began with Co-founder, Michele Gay, and Safe and Sound Advisor, Bob Martin, presenting and attending trainings at the Gavin deBecker Threat Assessment Academy. A few days later, Michele traveled to Stonehill College to present to an audience of 500 at the Massachusetts Women in Law Enforcement Conference. Safe and Sound speaker, Frank DeAngelis keynoted for the AXIS School Safety Symposium in Aurora, Colorado; and in late October, Michele Gay and Safe and Sound Speaker and Advisor, Dr. Melissa Reeves, presented at the NJ Chiefs Of Police conference. October travels ended with Michele and Safe and Sound Advisor, Paul Timm, visiting Rock Hill, South Carolina, to keynote for another Axis School Safety Symposium.

In the social sphere, Safe and Sound Schools worked with Boston University’s PRLab to focus its October efforts on Bullying Prevention Month, National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and launching its #ChangeForSchoolSafety campaign.

In November, Michele continued consulting work on curriculum development for “Stay Safe” Student Education” in Massachusetts schools. Michele also presented for the Greenville Public Schools in Tennessee during November. While Michele continued representing Safe and Sound Schools throughout the country, the Safe and Sound Schools team and community raised more than $2,500 through its #ChangeForSchoolSafety #GivingTuesday campaign.

By December, Michele made her way to Washington, DC to attend the Family Online Safety Institute Conference. A couple days later, Michele was joined by Dr. Melissa Reeves to present Reunification Workshops for Virginia Public Schools. With the Sandy Hook Anniversary nearing, Michele concluded her December travels in Massachusetts, working with local schools on curriculum development and staff training.

With the November elections still fresh on everyone’s minds at the beginning of December, the Safe and Sound Schools team felt it was important to discuss Restoring a Sense of Security in a Post-Election Climate. As the Sandy Hook anniversary neared, Alissa Parker shared a personal tribute to Emilie and Joey’s Legacy. Your ongoing support for our families has been incredible! Thank you.

We reached 40 states in 2016.


As we continue to honor Emilie and Joey’s legacy through our work in 2017, we hope that you will join us in empowering communities to improve school safety. We look forward to sharing more content, visting new communities, and launching new programs.