Kindness and Compassion vs. Bullying and Violence: A Sustainable Solution for Schools

Recorded recently at the 2018 School Leadership Conference, host Annette Stevenson talks with keynote speaker, Darrell Scott, writer and founder of Rachel’s Challenge. Creating a school climate less susceptible to harassment, bullying and violence is possible. Darrell will talk about the impact of fear and harassment and likewise the difference that can be made through kindness and respect. His daughter, Rachel was killed during the Columbine High School shootings, and since then he has been working to inspire and equip every person to create a permanent positive change in schools, businesses and communities.

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Maximizing instruction through online learning with Khan Academy

Jason Hovey (left) from Khan Academy, and Dr. David Baugh (right) from Centennial School District. — Jason Hovey (left) from Khan Academy and Dr. David Baugh (right) from Centennial School District

Recorded recently at the 2018 School Leadership Conference, host Annette Gray covers online learning and the way it can further in- and out-of-classroom learning for customized, maximized instructional support. Conference session presenters and also our guests in this episode, Jason Hovey, director of school partnerships with Khan Academy, a non-profit organization, and Dr. David Baugh, superintendent of schools for the Centennial School District join us to take a multi-perspective look at how online learning can fit into the needs of diverse and unique learning communities.

Download a PDF of the conference presentation here

See https://www.khanacademy.org/

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Financial Literacy: Preparing Youth for a Lifetime of Responsible Money Management

photo (left-right) Annette Gray, Scott Bostjancic and Amanda Brigaman — (left-right) Annette Gray, Scott Bostjancic and Amanda Brigaman

This episode focuses on financial literacy for students. Host Annette Gray is joined by Mid Penn Bank’s Director of Education and Development, Scott Bostjancic, and Retail Market Manager, Amanda Brigaman. The discussion centers around the distinct needs and wants of the current student population, pertaining to banking and accessibility. Matching the expectations and traits of the first true native digital generation—how have financial institutions changed their approach to banking, and how do we prepare them to manage their own expenses and savings? Listen in to hear about financial education opportunities and practical tips to orienting youth to money management.

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An interview with Dr. G. Terry Madonna, columnist, political commentator and host of Pennsylvania Newsmakers, the state’s premier politics and public policy interview and commentary television show

This episode of Keystone Education Radio, recorded during the recent 2018 PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference features guest and conference speaker, Dr. G. Terry Madonna. He is Professor of Public Affairs, and Director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College. Additionally, he is the founder and director of the Franklin and Marshall Poll, which was the original Keystone Poll dating back to 1992, and the host of Pennsylvania Newsmakers, a weekly statewide news and commentary program. He joins podcast host, Annette Gray covering topics pertaining to education funding, the upcoming gubernatorial election, the impact of the female vote, and the evolving political landscape.

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Teen Driving: Reducing Risks and the Importance of Parent Involvement

This episode will address teen driving, safe practices and the essential role parents play. Today’s guest, Violet Marrero, consumer safety administrator for NJM Insurance Group will help us cover a topic that impacts each of us in some respect.

If you’re among the hundreds of millions of licensed drivers on the roads today, the topic of teen drivers and the risks affiliated with drivers aged 16-19 is one that has become prevalent in the headlines covering far too many incidents, and what appears to be avoidable car crashes. If you’re the parent, grandparent or family member of a teenaged driver, the concern is more immediate, and near to home.

An average of 229 fatal teen driver crashes occurs each year in Pennsylvania. What can we do to reduce the risks affiliated with teenaged drivers? NJM Insurance has adopted a complimentary program called “Share the Keys” now available in PA high schools. Learn more about Pennsylvania’s Graduated Driver Licensing laws and some practical tactics for parents and guardians to employ in helping their children become road-ready.

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Suicide awareness and prevention: School policy (Part 1)

This episode begins a multi-part series on suicide awareness and prevention, where we’ll focus on the multi-layered issue faced by schools, educators and administrators. As part of the overarching discussion around school safety and security, we’ll be delving into the prevention of suicide by looking at behavioral health, risk factors, warning signs, school climate and other factors. Joining in today’s podcast with host Annette Gray, PSBA’s communication director, is Davelyn Smeltzer, PSBA’s senior director of governance services. Davelyn has been heading up the policy work that has been occurring in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. We’ll start our series with today’s part one, which highlights the school policy side of this important topic.

PSBA POLICY – 819. Suicide Awareness, Prevention and Response

SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION RESOURCES (embedded in PSBA policy)

National:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Crisis Text Line:TEXT 741-741 or visit http://www.crisistextline.org/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools
https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Preventing-Suicide-A-Toolkit-for-High-Schools/SMA12-4669

Pennsylvania:

List of Crisis Intervention contact information by county
List of County CASSP and Children’s Behavioral Health Contact Persons
County Task Force Resources: By county, available contact information is provided for crisis, the Suicide Prevention Task Force, local chapter of AFSP, and other local mental health/suicide prevention resources

National and State Organizations

National:

American Association of Suicidology (AAS): http://www.suicidology.org/
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): https://www.afsp.org/
Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC): http://www.sprc.org/

Pennsylvania:

Prevent Suicide PA: http://www.preventsuicidepa.org/
Jana Marie Foundation: http://www.janamariefoundation.org/
Aevidum: http://aevidum.com/cms/
Services for Teens at Risk (STAR-Center)
https://www.starcenter.pitt.edu/STAR-Center-Home/1/Default.aspx
Pennsylvania Department of Education www.education.state.pa.us

PDE Resource Links

Available on their website and as part of their policy. A comprehensive set of resources for youth suicide awareness and prevention is accessible at: PDE Suicide Prevention & Awareness

Oct. 2014 Dear Colleague Letter related to peer harassment of students with disabilities: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/publications.html#Section504
Suicide Prevention Resource Center – http://www.sprc.org/
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – http://www.afsp.org/
SAMHSA’s Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools – http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/SMA12-4669/SMA12-4669.pdf
Services for Teens at Risk (STAR-Center) – http://www.starcenter.pitt.edu

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District’s mountain-biking club promotes wellness, community

In this episode, we go behind the scenes with Elizabethtown Area School District to learn about their innovative mountain-biking club, which is seeing a surge in popularity among students, parents and the community. Joining in today’s podcast with host Annette Gray, PSBA’s communications director, are key members of the districts athletics and management team: Nate Frank, principal; Sean Houseknecht, school club advisor; and Linda Ahern, director of athletics and extracurriculars. We also get valuable perspective from mountain-biking club coach Jason Thomas, who himself is an avid cycler and proud parent of Elizabethtown Area students.

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Ephrata Area students aim higher through Attollo program experience

Attollo Recruit program participants share early-morning team spirit.

In this episode of Keystone Education Radio, we travel to Ephrata Area School District (Lancaster Co.) to talk to students, staff and administrators involved in their Attollo Recruit program, an innovative program supporting equity in the district. The district was recently awarded a first-place Magna Award in the “enrollment under 5,000” category for its Attollo program. Attollo, which means “rise up” in Latin, is designed to help first-generation prospective students reach their postsecondary education goals and become leaders in their community. Hosting the podcast is PSBA’s Marketing Chief Laura Huggins, who talks with a group of students and staff from Ephrata Area administrators: Dr. Brian Troop, superintendent; Dr. Scott Galen, high school principal; Rick Gehman, school director; and students Nicholas Mich (grade 12), Biola Fatusin (grade 11), Aleah Johnson (grade 11) and Alex Nelson (grade 11). We also hear from Attollo Program creator Mr. Jordan Steffy.

: Superintendent Dr. Brian Troop and board member Rick Gehman

: Principal Dr. Scott Galen and senior Nick Mich

: Program creator Jordan Steffy talks with students Nick, Biola and Aleah

: Dr. Galen, Dr. Troop and Mr. Gehman

: Eleventh-graders Biola Fatusin and Aleah Johnson demonstrate their Rubik’s cube skills

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Equity in Pennsylvania schools

In this episode of Keystone Education Radio, PSBA CEO and podcast host Nathan G. Mains talks about equity with Dr. Heather Bennett Esq., PSBA’s director of Equity Services. Dr. Bennett clarifies the difference between equality and equity, and talks about Pennsylvania schools most urgent equity needs. Joining the discussion for the second segment, Michael Faccinetto, PSBA president and Bethlehem Area school director, highlighting equity efforts implemented in the district, how the district began addressing equity and where their efforts are headed.

Pennsylvania students learn the value of giving back

Community service is an important educational component for Pennsylvania school districts. For students, successful community outreach, or “service learning,” is an extra opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of his or her own skills while seeking to meet real community needs. In this episode of Keystone Education Radio, we talk to students and teachers from East Stroudsburg, West Jefferson Hills and Colonial school districts, all of whom share a commitment to giving back to their communities.

: East Stroudsburg eTeam gives back to their community

: Pleasant Hills middle-schoolers exceed goal for Thanksgiving Food Bank contributions

: Plymouth Elementary Spirit Team visits local retirement community

For more good news stories from Pennsylvania school districts, see SuccessStartsHere.org, the website host to the multi-year statewide effort to share the positive news about public education with the goal of raising understanding of the value of public education in Pennsylvania.

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