School safety seminars scheduled this spring

Michael Dorn

Illinois school leaders have several opportunities to gain insight about emergency preparedness and safety at events scheduled in March and April. Renowned national safety specialists, local law enforcement professionals, and school officials will be on hand to share their personal experiences and best practices with participants at three safety seminars.

On Wednesday, March 22, Grayslake Central High School will host a Safety Summit featuring school safety expert and Safe Havens International Executive Director Michael Dorn. NaviGate Prepared is offering free registration for board members, administrators, building administrators, first responders, and other guests. Dorn will lead the audience in relevant safety exercises and discuss other actionable insights including effective solutions and a school safety audit. 

A one-day program on March 29 will focus on resources.

A week later, Sorensen, Wilder and Associates in collaboration with the Bourbonnais Township Park District will be presenting a one-day program titled “Emergency Preparedness Leadership.” The March 29 event in Kankakee, Illinois, will identify resources to help school districts and other public entities develop disaster preparedness plans. Conference speakers will highlight OSHA compliance requirements, realistic emergency planning, and legal and civic implications of employer liability issues. Keynoting the seminar will be Frank DeAngelis, retired principal of Columbine High School.

The Emergency Preparedness Leadership conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Hilton Gardens Inn. Tickets are available for purchase on the Bourbonnais Township Park District website.

An April 18 school safety event is to be held in Mount Prospect.

For those who cannot make the March events, a free School Safety Conference will be held April 18 at Bristol Palace in Mount Prospect. Hosted by the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Emergency, Illinois School Resource Officers Association, Facility Engineering Associates P.C., Oak Park police, Proviso Area for Exceptional Children, East Aurora School District, and Oak Park and River Forest High School, participants will hear from experts in the field of school safety and crisis prevention. 

Attendees will learn techniques to enhance the safety of educational facilities and practical solutions to improve both short and long-term security. Programming includes School Safety Planning for Students with Special Needs, How Open Source Social Media Data can be Utilized for School Safety, Three Keys to Effective School Security, and a lunchtime panel discussion with law enforcement, legal experts, school representatives, and security advisors. Presentations on school and campus shootings by Intelligence Officer Mia Ray Langheim and former Columbine Principal DeAngelis are also on the agenda.


Registration for the event is free but limited to four individuals per school. The Safety Conference begins at 7:30 a.m. and includes complimentary breakfast and lunch.