In the 2022-2023 school year, gun-related incidents made up nearly 50% of violent events in schools, with 55 shootings reported on school campuses during or after school hours—an increase of 139% compared to 2018-2019​. 

School safety is a critical concern for educators, parents, and communities. While schools have implemented many protocols to protect students, hidden gaps in existing safety measures still leave them vulnerable to various threats. Active Defender offers a comprehensive solution that bridges these gaps, providing schools with the tools to ensure a safer environment for everyone.

The Current State of School Safety

Schools have made great strides in implementing safety protocols such as lockdown drills, emergency evacuation plans, and secure entry systems. However, as threats to school safety continue to evolve, many of these measures still need to address modern challenges. 

The rise in cyber threats, physical violence, and mental health crises has outpaced many schools’ ability to respond effectively. The traditional protocols in place often cannot communicate, adapt, and provide real-time responses to these evolving threats.

The Hidden Gaps in School Safety Protocols

1. Communication Delays

During an emergency, every second counts, yet communication breakdowns often occur, whether due to technological issues, human error, or situational confusion. Traditional safety protocols depend on manual alerts, walkie-talkies, group messages, etc., which can delay critical information reaching the right people. This delay increases response time and leaves staff and students vulnerable to escalating threats.

Active Defender’s Instant Communication and Real-Time Alerts

Active Defender provides an enhanced communication platform that allows staff, security personnel, and first responders to stay connected in real-time. With instant alerts to smartphones, desktops, or classroom equipment and seamless communication across the entire school, information is relayed quickly and efficiently. Whether it’s a lockdown situation, a medical emergency, or a suspicious person on campus, Active Defender ensures that the right people are informed within seconds of the threat emerging.

2. Limited Situational Awareness

In many emergencies, staff and first responders struggle to understand the severity of the emergency because of fragmented information. They may not know the threat’s exact location or how the situation is evolving in real-time. This lack of situational awareness creates confusion and can lead to inefficient or misguided responses, potentially putting more people in danger.

Active Defender’s Crisis Clarity

Active Defender offers real-time data sharing, location tracking, and ongoing threat updates. Staff can view a custom dynamic map of their campus, including where the threat is located and progressing. This real-time situational awareness enables quicker, more informed decision-making, allowing for faster neutralization of threats and reducing confusion.

3. Inadequate Technology Integration

Many schools rely on a patchwork of safety technologies that do not communicate with one another. For example, surveillance cameras, alarms, and communication systems may all operate independently, requiring staff to switch between systems manually during a crisis. This fragmentation can slow down response times and leave critical gaps in safety.

Active Defender’s Integrated Technology Solutions

Active Defender integrates with existing systems such as door locks, cameras, and panic buttons, providing comprehensive security coverage. It enhances situational awareness for first responders, alerts local authorities with detailed information, and reduces response times.

4. Overlooking Mental Health Crises

While much attention is given to physical threats, many safety protocols do not adequately address the growing issue of mental health crises in schools. Early signs of emotional distress or behavioral issues are often missed, leading to situations that could escalate into threats to school safety.

Active Defender’s Student Behavioral Analysis Reporting Feature

The Student Behavior Analysis Reporting feature allows school administrators, staff, and teachers to identify and streamline the process of analyzing student behavior, reporting detailed concerns to appropriate school staff, and documenting outcomes.

Who is Active Defender?

Active Defender’s School Safety Platform revolutionizes emergency alerting and communication and provides the most comprehensive situational awareness available during a crisis. With Active Defender, ALL staff can immediately know WHAT the threat is, WHERE it is, understand WHAT TO DO, and REPORT their STATUS on a custom, dynamic campus map on their mobile device.

To learn more, visit Active Defender or take the first step in enhancing your school’s safety today by booking an interactive demo!

According to a study conducted by Understood.org, 87% of parents of children under 18 say the back-to-school season causes them stress and anxiety. When it comes time to start another school year, there are a lot of new experiences, teachers, classrooms, and routines that will all occur within the first week of school; it’s no wonder anxiety can bubble! We have compiled eight tips to help deal with back-to-school anxiety.

1. Establish a Routine Early

In preparation for the back-to-school routine, it can be helpful to adjust your child’s sleep and wake times a week or two before school starts to ease the transition from summer break to school time. Sleep habits like warm baths, a comfortable environment, and limiting stimulating activities before bed can aid in restful sleep. 

2. Talk About It

Sometimes, all your child needs is to talk it out. According to the American Psychological Association, talking about fears can help children process and reduce their anxiety, as they feel heard and supported. 

Some ways to ensure you can better handle back-to-school anxiety are to;

• Be available
• Actively listen
• Respond thoughtfully

3. Visit The School

Back-to-School night (Open House) is an excellent opportunity to tour the school before school starts, especially if it is a new environment. A great way to alleviate the fear of the unknown is to visit all the teachers your child will be learning from and do a few practice runs of where your child’s daily schedule will take them. Have them walk their class route to gain familiarity with the school and meet classmates. 

4. Focus On The Positives

Dealing with back-to-school anxiety can cause students to focus on the negative aspects of starting a new school year. Highlighting the exciting aspects of school, such as seeing friends, learning new things, or participating in fun activities, can reduce anxiety by shifting the focus from fear to anticipation. 

5. Prepare Together

Getting in the groove of back-to-school can be easier if your child is included in the preparations. Activities like back-to-school shopping for school supplies, new clothes, and shoes can give them a sense of control and reduce anxiety. A fun activity to do together can be to help them pack their bookbag for their first day. 

6. Practice Relaxation Techniques

When anxiety starts to fog the mind and take over, it’s important to teach and practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing and the 3-3-3 rule, which is asking your child to name three things they can see, identify three things they can hear, and move three different parts of their bodies to help them focus on reality. 

7. Set Realistic Expectations

Helping your child set achievable goals for the school year reduces pressure and anxiety and encourages them to focus on learning and having fun rather than on perfection and negatives. 

An example of how to set realistic expectations or goals is to use the SMART method. The SMART acronym stands for;

• Specific: a clearly identified end goal that the student can measure whether they have achieved it or not.
• Measurable: a tangible goal that you can track progress to ensure you achieve.
• Achievable goals are possible to complete but also push you to improve; they cannot be too easy or hard.
• Relevant: the short-term goal must help you complete your relevant long-term goal.
• Timebound: a specific deadline is needed to mark progress and completion of the smart goal.

8. Stay Positive and Calm

Our eighth and final tip on dealing with back-to-school anxiety is to model calm and positive behavior about the upcoming school year. According to Memorial Herman, there are different strategies and methods to showcase a positive and relaxed outlook on stressors.

Incorporating these tips into your back-to-school preparations can significantly improve your child’s ability to manage anxiety. Children and parents can navigate the transition more smoothly by fostering a supportive environment, building confidence, and maintaining open communication.

Who is Active Defender?

Active Defender’s School Safety Platform revolutionizes emergency alerting and communication and provides the most comprehensive situational awareness available during a crisis. With Active Defender, ALL staff can immediately know WHAT the threat is, WHERE it is, understand WHAT TO DO, and REPORT their STATUS on a custom, dynamic campus map on their mobile device.

To learn more, visit Active Defender or take the first step in enhancing your school’s safety today by booking an interactive demo!

It’s that time again when summer vacation draws close, and parents everywhere ask, “Didn’t I just buy these supplies last year?” Finding affordable school supplies shouldn’t break the bank, so we compiled our top 4 picks on where to get discount school supplies to start this school year off right.

Each top pick will include a list of the twelve most common school supplies and their prices to determine which store offers the most bang for your buck. 

Please note that prices are based on August 2024 available discounts and do not include shipping or state sales tax.

4. Amazon

Starting with number 4 on our list, Amazon is a one-stop shop for almost everything, including discount school supplies! From backpacks and electronics to lunch essentials, the online conglomerate pulls out all the stops when it comes to getting ready for back-to-school.  

The Back to School Shop makes finding school supplies a breeze, allowing customers to shop by grade level, category, or price range. Below is a list of the twelve most common school supplies that are typically required across various grade levels and can be found on most school supply lists.

3. Dollar Tree

Coming in at number 3, Dollar Tree, with its increased prices from $1 to $1.25 – $5 in 2021, has brought the back-to-school section full circle with a wide range of products. Like Walmart and Staples, the back-to-school supply section is at the front of the store, meaning you can’t miss out on the affordable prices.

2. Walmart

Our number two contender for the best discount school supplies is Walmart. As the world’s largest retailer by revenue, it’s no surprise that it’s on the list for supplying families with discount school supplies. The back-to-school display smack in the front of the store makes it hard to miss the prices.

1. Staples

Our winner is Staples! As the creator of the renowned “That was Easy” button, it makes sense that they offer amazing discounts on back-to-school items. Like Amazon, Staples organizes online and in-store shopping into easy-to-navigate categories and even has a backpack bundle station.

Who is Active Defender?

Active Defender’s School Safety Platform revolutionizes emergency alerting and communication and provides the most comprehensive situational awareness available during a crisis. With Active Defender, ALL staff can immediately know WHAT the threat is, WHERE it is, understand WHAT TO DO, and REPORT their STATUS on a custom, dynamic campus map on their mobile device.

To learn more, visit Active Defender or take the first step in enhancing your school’s safety today by booking an interactive demo!

As summer draws closer, teachers everywhere start gearing up for the new school year. The excitement of meeting new students and anticipating a fresh start comes with challenges. Adequate preparation is essential to ensure a smooth transition and a successful year. Here are some tips and strategies to fill out your teacher checklist to be back to school ready!

Reflect on the Previous Year

An excellent way to plan for the upcoming school year is to reflect on what worked well in previous years. You can look at last year’s lesson plans, classroom management strategies, and student feedback. This allows you to identify successful methods and flag the areas that need improvement.

Organize Your Classroom

Now that the floors are finally waxed and you have the go-ahead to step into your classroom, it’s time to organize! Whether it’s the same room you taught in last year or entirely new, it’s a good rule of thumb to rearrange the classroom layout to promote an engaging and inclusive learning environment.

Speaking of classroom organization, now is an excellent time to replenish any school supplies and set them up so that they are accessible for both you and your students.

Plan Your Curriculum

If you have yet to do so, outline the curriculum for the year, breaking it down into units and lessons. It is essential to align your curriculum with your state’s standards and school requirements.

Plan your curriculum around a flexible framework that allows for adjustments based on student needs and progress. You can incorporate various teaching methods to cater to different learning styles.

Develop Classroom Procedures

Communicating your classroom rules and procedures on the first day is critical to ensuring a safe and fun learning environment for you and your students.

Starting a new school year can be stressful for you and your students, so it’s important to develop daily and weekly routines to provide structure and stability.

Build a Positive Classroom Culture

You have a new classroom full of students to meet and get to know! Learning all the new names and personalities can be overwhelming, so planning ice-breaker activities for the first week can help you learn about your student’s interests, strengths, and needs.

Engage with Parents and Guardians

Open communication with parents is crucial because it keeps them informed about how their child is performing at school and helps create opportunities for parents to support learning at home.

Preparing for the new school year involves thoughtful planning and organization. By reflecting on past experiences, setting clear goals, and fostering a positive classroom environment, teachers can set the stage for a successful and rewarding year.

Remember, a well-prepared teacher is confident and ready to inspire and guide students through another year of learning and growth.

Who is Active Defender?

Active Defender’s School Safety Platform revolutionizes emergency alerting and communication and provides the most comprehensive situational awareness available during a crisis. With Active Defender, ALL staff can immediately know WHAT the threat is, WHERE it is, understand WHAT TO DO, and REPORT their STATUS on a custom, dynamic campus map on their mobile device.

To learn more, visit Active Defender or take the first step in enhancing your school’s safety today by booking an interactive demo!

In today’s educational environment, ensuring the safety and security of school campuses has never been more critical. School administrators and resource officers are pivotal in maintaining a secure learning environment. However, with the myriad of responsibilities they juggle daily, it’s easy to overlook common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs). Awareness of these vulnerabilities is crucial to preventing potential security breaches and ensuring a safe space for students and stakeholders.

Understanding Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures

Common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs) are publicly disclosed security flaws that malicious entities can exploit. These vulnerabilities can be physical, such as unsecured entry points, or related to emergency preparedness, such as outdated response plans. Overlooking these vulnerabilities can lead to severe consequences, including unauthorized access, data breaches, and physical harm.

Impact of Overlooked CVEs

The impact of overlooking CVEs can be devastating. For instance, an unsecured entry point might allow an intruder to enter the campus undetected. Similarly, inadequate emergency preparedness can lead to chaos during critical situations. Real-world examples abound where overlooked CVEs have resulted in significant security incidents, highlighting the importance of addressing these vulnerabilities proactively.

The Importance of Awareness in Campus Safety

Awareness is the cornerstone of campus safety. School administrators and resource officers can mitigate risks by staying informed about potential vulnerabilities and exposures. This is where Active Defender steps in. Active Defender’s mission is to enhance campus safety by providing real-time situational awareness, ensuring everyone knows the nature and location of any alert and can respond appropriately.

Comprehensive Checklist for Assessing Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures

To help school administrators and school resource officers ensure no CVEs are overlooked, we’ve developed a comprehensive checklist covering physical security and emergency preparedness. This checklist is designed as a walk-through guide for assessing your campus and prioritizing actions to enhance awareness and reduce risk.

Implementing the Checklist

Implementing this checklist is straightforward but requires a systematic approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

• Initial Assessment:
  • Conduct an initial assessment using the checklist to identify current vulnerabilities and exposures.
  • Involve key stakeholders in the assessment process, including teachers, staff, and students.
• Action Plan:
  • Develop an action plan to address identified vulnerabilities.
  • Prioritize actions based on the severity and potential impact of each vulnerability.
  • Assign responsibilities and set deadlines for each action item.
• Implementation:
  • Execute the action plan systematically, ensuring all vulnerabilities are addressed.
  • Provide necessary training and resources to staff and students.
• Regular Reviews:
  • Schedule regular reviews and updates to the checklist.
  • Reassess vulnerabilities periodically to account for changes in the environment or new threats.
  • Ensure continuous improvement in campus security and emergency preparedness.

Ensuring that common vulnerabilities and exposures are not overlooked is a critical responsibility for school administrators and school resource officers. Following this comprehensive checklist can enhance your campus’s safety and security. Awareness is the key to preventing and mitigating security risks, and with tools like Active Defender, you can stay informed and prepared.

Who is Active Defender?

Active Defender’s School Safety Platform revolutionizes emergency alerting and communication and provides the most comprehensive situational awareness available during a crisis. With Active Defender, ALL staff can immediately know WHAT the threat is, WHERE it is, understand WHAT TO DO, and REPORT their STATUS on a custom, dynamic campus map on their mobile device.

To learn more, visit Active Defender or take the first step in enhancing your school’s safety today by booking an interactive demo!

Finding safe and healthy snacks for school can be challenging, especially with the increasing prevalence of food allergies and dietary restrictions. To help you navigate this, we’ve compiled a list of 12 delicious and school-safe snacks (plus 11 candies) that kids will love and parents will appreciate.

What is a Food Allergy?

A food allergy is an immune reaction to specific foods. It happens when the body mistakenly identifies food proteins, like those in strawberries or eggs, as harmful and launches an immune response against them. This reaction, known as an “allergic reaction,” can produce a wide range of symptoms, some of which can be life-threatening.

The Big Nine Allergens

The following 9 foods account for 90 percent of allergic reactions in the US. These ingredients are always listed by their common names in the ingredients or the “contains” statement on food packaging.

• Eggs
• Crustacean Shellfish
• Wheat
• Sesame

What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction?

Reactions to allergens can vary from mild, such as itchiness in the mouth or skin, hives, and nausea, to severe, including shortness of breath and throat or mouth swelling. While not all reactions are fatal, some can be, with anaphylaxis requiring immediate medical attention to prevent coma or death.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction typically appear within minutes to a couple of hours after consuming the allergen. These symptoms can include;

• coughing, 
• wheezing, 
• dizziness/lightheadedness, 
• swelling of the throat and vocal cords, 
• difficulty breathing, 
• and loss of consciousness.

Active Defender’s Crisis Clarity

Active Defender’s Crisis Clarity enables staff to send and receive critical alerts on any device, similar to Presidential or Amber Alerts. If a student suffers an allergic reaction, staff can immediately notify key personnel, such as school administrators, nurses, and EMS. The notified personnel can instantly view the emergency location on a live map and communicate directly with the reporting staff member through a single platform.

12 School Safe Snacks

Below are 12 school-safe snacks that exclude the big nine allergens and are easy to grab from a local supermarket!

• Raisins/Craisins
• Popcorn
• Rice Cakes
• Carrots
• Celery
• Homestyle Ranch Dairy-Free Dressing

11 School Safe Candies

Who doesn’t love a bit of sugar? While candy isn’t a healthy snack, it can be a sweet treat! Below is a list of 11 school-safe candies that exclude the big nine allergens.

• Life Saver Gummies
• Dots
• Swedish Fish
• Sour Patch Kids
• Gushers

PLEASE NOTE that variations of candy or seasonal candy sometimes have different ingredients than their classic counterparts, so always double-check your labels!

Who is Active Defender?

Active Defender’s School Safety Platform revolutionizes emergency alerting and communication and provides the most comprehensive situational awareness available during a crisis. With Active Defender, ALL staff can immediately know WHAT the threat is, WHERE it is, understand WHAT TO DO, and REPORT their STATUS on a custom, dynamic campus map on their mobile device.

To learn more, visit Active Defender or take the first step in enhancing your school’s safety today by booking an interactive demo!