Founders Archives - Safe and Sound Schools

Over seven years ago – shortly after Emilie’s death – I had a sleepless night that would forever change my life. That evening, Michele Gay and I had been discussing the tragedy at Sandy Hook and how we desperately wanted other school communities to learn from our experience. That one idea – after years of countless hours and hard work –became what is now Safe and Sound Schools. From the beginning Michele and I both felt like we were called to do this work and knew there would be many uncertainties about where that road would take us. Now looking back at what we have been able to accomplish, I am so incredibly proud of our work both as an organization and as individuals. This journey has not only changed me professionally – but also spiritually, helping me along my personal journey through grief and into healing.

As I stand here today a different person, a stronger person, I feel a familiar pull. That pull that once called me to school safety is now pulling me in an entirely new direction. At first, I strongly resisted that feeling. Safe and Sound Schools has become my second family and I LOVE the work we do! How could I ever step away?

But the pull continued. Over time, through a lot of reflection, and many long talks, I have been able to open my heart and my eyes to see a new journey ahead. As I move forward on this new path, I will step away from an active role within Safe and Sound Schools. Change is always hard—especially on this scale! And if I am being honest, I am both nervous and excited about this new direction. I will be spending more time with my family and continuing to work on my own personal healing.

With Michele leading the way, I am confident that our mission and our organization are in great hands. She has done an incredible job over the years as our Executive Director and will continue to do amazing work. For over eight years she has been my partner, my confidant, my friend, and above all else, my sister. Our daughters brought us together and that connection has bonded us forever. I love her and our Safe and Sound family dearly.

Safe and Sound was our gift to Emilie and Joey and I am proud of the legacy we have created to honor both of their lives. And though I will step away from my role on the team, I will never be far! You will still see me cheering from the sidelines, occasionally popping in, and watching this important work continue to change school communities across the nation.

Alissa Parker is the Co-Founder of Safe and Sound Schools, a school safety advocate, and author of An Unseen Angel: A Mother’s Story of Faith, Hope, and Healing After Sandy Hook.

Listen to the latest episode of The Sound Off, Moving Forward: Alissa Parker’s Next Chapter.

During the second quarter, the Safe and Sound team traveled to school and professional communities nationally–and internationally to South Korea and Canada–directly reaching over 22,500 people! Nationally, the team visited 31 U.S. cities, spanning 16 states. For a full list of community visits, scroll down.

Below are some highlights from the second quarter. If you missed our first quarter roundup, click here.

Second Quarter Highlights:

In April, Safe and Sound Schools hosted a briefing and panel discussion in cooperation with the Congressional School Safety Caucus. The discussion focused on “The Importance of Mental Health in Comprehensive School Safety and Security Efforts.”
In late April, Alissa Parker traveled to South Korea to share A Parent’s Perspective.
In May, Jammin Hammer Jewelry kicked off an end-of-the-school-year fundraiser for Safe and Sound Schools for the second year in a row. Since then, Jammin Hammer has graciously extended the fundraiser through September. Support our mission and purchase your Safe and Sound Schools bracelets here.
The Building for God Community Foundation also celebrated its second year of partnership with Safe and Sound Schools, renewing a $20,000 grant to benefit our Maryland school safety initiatives.
During the month of May, John Hopkins University honored Michele Gay with the Champion in Education Award.
Also in May, Michele Gay joined the Department of Justice COPS Office and BJA panel on school safety. National school safety leadership gathered to discuss school safety, emerging issues, and promising practices. Michele presented Rethinking School Safety and later joined a panel of colleagues and partners in school safety from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), and the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO).
In June, Michele Gay worked with the FBI filming a new segment for two school safety documentaries. And later in June, the FBI hosted Michele Gay in Clarkburg, West Virginia to speak on preventing tragedy.

New Programs, Trainings, Resources, and Research

Safe and Sound Schools published the 2019 State of School Safety Report. The report explores perceptions of school safety among key stakeholder groups and provides research findings and actionable steps communities can take to close the communication gap between students, parents, administrators, and the larger community.
Safe and Sound Schools added more resources to its growing Parents for Safe Schools Program, including How to Start the Conversation with School Leaders and Talking About School Safety With Your Child.
During the second quarter, Safe and Sound Schools also trained its first National Parent Council team and is now accepting applications from parents who want to do more, reach further, and mentor others. Learn more about this structured training program, here.
Safe and Sound Schools expanded its Safe and Sound Students program with new resources like Tips for School Safety Reporting, Team Up for School Safety, and Stand Up for School Safety.

Media Highlights

Wall Street Journal – Rebuild or Remain? Columbine Revisits a Question It Thought It Had Answered
Delmarva Now / USA Today – School Shooting Foiled in Maryland but ‘There’s Still a Lot of Anxiety’
KLTV ABC 7 – Tyler ISD gathers for safety workshops lead by mother of Sandy Hook victim

To stay up to date on the latest resources and happenings, make sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our email list.

Collective Community Visits

April

April 1, PA – Michele Gay attends the Annual Conference in Philadephia to present A Parent’s Perspective
April 3, MA – Michele Gay presents for the 14th Annual New England School Safety Conference in Norwood
April 4, FL – John McDonald presents Stop Justifying and No Higher Calling at the University of Central Florida in Orlando
April 8, NY – Alissa Parker shares A Parent’s Perspective for the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services in Rochester
April 8, VA – Michele Gay and Lisa Hamp present for Roanoke County Public Schools
April 10, Canada – Frank DeAngelis presents at the Banff Conference
April 11, DC – Michele Gay represents Safe and Sound Schools and hosts a briefing and panel discussion in cooperation with the Congressional School Safety Caucus
April 15, OH – Frank DeAngelis presents at the Cincinnati School Safety Conference
April 17, IL – Michele Gay presents at the Illinois School Safety Conference in Bensenville
April 18, TX – Alissa Parker presents for the Texas Police Chiefs in Galveston
April 24, South Korea – Alissa Parker travels internationally to present for the Seoul Foreign School
April 27, OR – Alissa Parker shares A Parent’s Perspective for the Oregon PTA

May

May 1-2, VA – Michele Gay shares A Parent’s Perspective for Chesterfield Emergency Management
May 6, MA – Michele Gay presents for the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School District in Wakefield
May 16, MD – Michele Gay presents for Anne Arundel County Public Schools
May 22, MD – John Hopkins University honors Michele Gay with Champion in Education Award
May 23 – Michele Gay participates in panel for the COPS Office
May 28, TX – Michele Gay, Jin Kim, Paul Timm, and Stephen Brock present at Tyler ISD
May 30, MA – Safe and Sound Schools’ board members convene in Boston to discuss the mission, progress and strategy of the organization

June

June 6, IL – Michele Gay shares A Parent’s Perspective at the LUDA 2019 Spring Symposium
June 6, WV – Frank DeAngelis shares Lessons from Columbine at Walton Elementary and Middle School
June 7, NC – Frank DeAngelis presents Lessons from Columbine for The Employers Association in Charlotte
June 8, TX – Frank presents Lessons from Columbine for the Summer Leadership Institute at Texas A&M University
June 11, NY – Michele Gay presents A Parent’s Perspective for the Axis School Safety Symposium at SUNY Purchase.
June 17, WA – Alissa Parker shares A Parent’s Perspective for the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office in Wenatchee
June 18, SC – Scott Poland presents Bullying and Suicide: Keys to Prevention and Resiliencyfor the South Carolina Association of School Administrators in Myrtle Beach.
June 18, TX – Michele Gay shares A Parent’s Perspective for the National Fire Protection Association in San Antonio.
June 19, WI – Michele Gay presents for the School Resource Officers Conference in Green Bay.
June 20, AR – Scott Poland presents Recovering from a Crisis at School at the Christian School Adminstrator’s Conference in Searcy
June 24, WA – Scott Poland shares Bullying and Suicide: Keys to Prevention and Resiliency at Eastmont Junior High School for the North Central Education Service District in Wenatchee.
June 25 – Michele Gay welcomes the FBI to her home to film a documentary interview.
June 25, TX – Natalie Hammond keynotes for the Texas School Safety Center in San Marcos.
June 27 – Michele Gay and Susan Parziale attend the NASRO Coalition meeting.
June 28, WV – Michele Gay shares A Parent’s Perspective at the FBI Conference in Clarksburg.