News From OSDFS and the Field
OSDFS National Conference Slated for August
The Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS) hosts its national
conference Aug. 3–5, 2009, at the Gaylord National Resort
and Convention Center in Prince Georges County, Md.
This year’s theme is “The Power of Change: Healthy Students,
Safe Schools, and Engaged Communities.”
The goals of the 2009 national conference are to:
- Highlight information from research and evaluation studies
that will support state and local officials in assessing needs,
establishing priorities, and selecting the most effective programs
and strategies.
- Examine new trends, innovative approaches, and comprehensive,
integrated strategies that may offer new approaches to
both older as well as emerging problems and challenges.
- Enable participants to build upon skills and receive training
from practitioners in the fields of emergency management;
health, mental health, and physical education; alcohol, drug,
and violence prevention; civic and character education; and
other areas related to school- and community-based prevention
in many topical areas.
- Showcase resources and tools developed by fellow practitioners
and leaders in their respective fields.
Attendees at this conference will include:
- OSDFS grantees;
- Education and prevention leaders;
- Representatives of federal agencies and national associations;
- SEA, LEA representatives and governors’ staff ;
- Public and private school administrators;
- Experts in the field of substance abuse and violence prevention;
- School personnel (teachers, counselors, and health educators);
- School safety and security officers, including school resources officers;
- Faith-based organization representatives; and
- Representatives from charter schools.
Conference Topics:
Research, Evaluation, and Survey Findings Schools and communities face significant challenges in their efforts to create safe school environments that facilitate academic achievement and healthy youth development—challenges that are exacerbated by the pressures of a severe economic downturn as budgets for education and prevention programs may be cut. This track is designed to highlight information from research and evaluation studies and data collections that will support state and local officials in assessing needs, establishing priorities, and selecting the best responses. The track also will examine some emerging issues from a broader research perspective about demographic and other changes that have major implications for practice, as well as future research and evaluation efforts.
Promising Programs and Strategies Schools and communities are always searching for new and creative ways to conduct outreach. This track will examine innovative approaches that create positive results for students, schools, and communities. As schools continue to face challenges, new comprehensive, integrated strategies may offer new approaches to old problems, including violence prevention and promoting healthy school climate, and how these intersect with improving academic outcomes for students and school reform efforts.
Training and Skills Building Each day, practitioners use a variety of skills in order to serve students, youths, and communities. This track will enable participants to build upon skills and receive training from practitioners and experts in the fields of emergency management; health, mental health, and physical education; alcohol, drug, and violence prevention; civic and character education; and other areas related to school- and community-based prevention. These sessions will involve interactive elements and maximize takeaway lessons that participants can use in their school districts, organizations, and communities.
Technology Classroom-based technology, such as online training, programming, and instructional tools, have changed the way that teachers and students interact with one another and experience education. This track will examine the role that technology plays inside and outside of schools, as well as the need to understand how technology also influences the school climate and school safety.
New Trends In a constantly changing world, new issues and topics emerge to challenge educators, administrators, families and students—such as preventing school violence, creating green schools, or connecting students to adults. This conference track will provide attendees the opportunity to discuss the most current issues facing educators.
Resources As the demands and challenges facing schools and communities evolve, practitioners need a variety of resources to adapt to changing needs and roles. This track will highlight a variety of tangible resources and tools developed by fellow practitioners and leaders in their respective fields.
Sessions will be organized according to topical tracks that
include: research, evaluation, and survey findings; promising
programs and strategies; training and skills building; technology;
new trends; and resources.
The convention center is located on the Potomac River in Prince
Georges County, Md., approximately 10 miles from downtown
Washington, D.C. Visit http://www.osdfsnationalconference.com for more information and to register.
Recent Cyber Bullying Webcast Available
The Stop Bullying Now! campaign recently hosted a webcast on
cyber bullying that is now available online. Experts in cyber bullying
research and intervention discuss the use of technologies
and the emerging phenomenon of cyber bullying among youths.
Participants also discuss best practices in prevention and intervention.
Speakers include:
- Susan Limber, from Clemson University;
- Patti Agatston, from the Cobb County School District near
Atlanta;
- Mike Tully, an expert on legal issues concerning cyber
bullying.
Stephanie Bryn, from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau at
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, moderates
the panel.
To view the archived event, go to http://webcast.hrsa.gov/
Postevents/recentEvents.asp.
OSDFS has been a partner in the Stop Bullying Now! campaign
since its debut in 2004. To learn more, visit the campaign Web
site at http://www.StopBullyingNow.hrsa.gov.
The Montana Safe Schools Center and Attorney
General’s Office Partner to Address Internet
Safety
The Montana Safe Schools Center at the University of Montana
and the Montana Attorney General’s Office have partnered in
the development of an award-winning Web site that focuses on
Internet safety.
“Safe in Your Space” (http://www.safeinyourspace.org) includes
sections for students, parents and educators with specific material
on cyber bullying. Additionally, the site continually updates
an extensive glossary for visitors to learn the lingo used commonly
in text messaging. Visit the center online at http://www.
montanasafeschools.org for more information.
National Conference of State Legislatures Tracks
Cyber-bullying Laws
The National Conference of State Legislatures offers an overview
of the state laws created to target cyber bullying. As of early 2009,
19 states had enacted legislation to address online bullying and
harassment. These laws vary in scope and impact but indicate
that states are taking the problem seriously and are making
efforts to curb the behavior.
For more information on the existing state laws, visit the Web site
at http://www.ncsl.org/programs/educ/cyberbullying.htm.
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