RALEIGH – Leaders from Diocese of Raleigh Schools joined their counterparts from the NC Association of Independent Schools Aug. 1 for a safety workshop at St. David’s School.
The group of more than 150 professionals gathered to learn from one another and learn from Staci Batterson, an educator from Colorado and trainer for the I Love U Guys Foundation. She delivered a workshop centered on the organization’s standard response protocol and standard reunification method.
The foundation describes its trainers as people who share a blend of “emotional heart and tactical takeaways.” They’re also people who have been close to school crises and whose stories “illustrate the importance of planning and preparing.”
Lytia Reese, superintendent for Diocese of Raleigh Catholic Schools, introduced Batterson, who said she hoped each person would leave feeling both empowered and knowledgeable. Batterson told attendees that the content would sometimes be emotionally heavy and shared advice for how to handle that.
She pressed play on a video that recounted Sept. 27, 2006, the day Platte Canyon High School in Bailey, Colorado was the site of a hostage taking and shooting. Student Emily Keyes was killed.
Her parents, Ellen and John-Michael, started the foundation to “restore and protect the joy of youth through educational programs and positive actions in collaboration with families, schools, communities, organizations and government entities.” They gave the foundation its “I love u guys” name based on texts she was able to send to them that day.
Batterson communicated to those gathered that building relationships is a key to keeping learning environments as safe as possible, and that common language and common understanding are crucial in all types of critical situations, including those that arise from extreme weather or animals, such as bears or steer on campus.
Conversation with staff and students, she said, can lead to preparedness.
"We got a chance to hear from other schools and do a little bit of networking," said Patrick Kurz, who attended the training with the dean of students and head of security from Immaculata School in Durham where he is principal.
Kurz added that the standard response protocol was something he was familiar with and is going to be fully implemented at his school this year. He appreciated the opportunity to review it, he said, and be introduced to the standard reunification method.
"It was very helpful ... they provided all the materials and the steps," Kurz said.