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Safe Schools Week: Celebrating the Work of Our Bright Futures Communities
As we enter Safe Schools Week, I want to take a moment to celebrate the inspiring work being done by our Bright Futures Communities to keep students safe and thriving!
3 min read


How to Respond When Kids Are Stressed or Struggling with Dr. Stephanie Grant
Michele Gay sits down with Dr. Stephanie Grant — child development expert, trauma-informed educator, and Safe and Sound Schools Speaker — for a deep, compassionate look at what’s really happening beneath the surface of student behavior.
7 min read


Strengthening School Safety Together: Conferences, Summits, and Virtual Learning Opportunities
Safe and Sound Schools founder and executive director Michele Gay previews the summits, conferences, and virtual learning opportunities that Safe and Sound Schools will be hosting with their community of partners.
4 min read


It Takes a Village: Why Community is Key to School Safety with Amy Jeffs
Michele Gay speaks with Jermaine “Tall Cop” Galloway about what’s really happening in schools, the blind spots adults often miss, and how communities can adopt prevention strategies that work.
4 min read


The Rise of Vaping and of Substance Use in Schools with Jermaine Galloway
Michele Gay speaks with Jermaine “Tall Cop” Galloway about what’s really happening in schools, the blind spots adults often miss, and how communities can adopt prevention strategies that work.
5 min read


Every Student Needs Someone to Turn to with Barb Grimm
Michele Gay speaks with Barb Grimm, Founder of School Responder and longtime champion of Safe and Sound Schools, about the role of connection in prevention and response.
4 min read


Welcome to the Team, Doug Hunt!
Please join us in welcoming Doug Hunt to the Safe and Sound Schools team! Doug has joined us to champion our work as the Associate Director of Bright Futures Mission Advancement.
2 min read


We’re Live: The New Averted School Violence Website and Enhanced Database Are Here
The redesign of the Averted School Violence (ASV) website and enhanced database marks a major milestone in our ongoing effort to strengthen school safety through prevention. Like any website transformation, this project brought together big-picture goals and a deep sense of purpose.
3 min read


Welcome, Dr. Savahanna Wagner & Officer Meg Soultz!
Welcome, Dr. Savahanna Wagner & Officer Meg Soultz!
2 min read


Why School Safety Is Everyone’s Job with Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather
Michele Gay and Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather, Director of the Texas School Safety Center, explore how school safety has evolved into a proactive, holistic effort.
5 min read


A New Resource to Support Our Especially Special Students
I am proud to announce that Safe and Sound Schools, in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), has launched BTAM & ASD: An e-Guide for Assessing Students on the Autism Spectrum, a new resource equipping educators and practitioners to administer behavioral threat assessment management (BTAM) for special needs students with confidence and fidelity.
2 min read


The Social Media Health Crisis in Schools with Psychologist Dr. Scott Poland
In this episode of The Sound Off on School Safety, Michele Gay connects with Dr. Scott Poland, one of Safe and Sound Schools’ earliest champions, to explore the complex landscape of youth mental health in the age of social media.
5 min read


Understanding Maslow Before Bloom: Why Meeting Basic Needs Comes First
It’s the very principle behind a phrase many educators know well, “Maslow Before Bloom.” It’s also the foundation on which we built Bright Futures — to help meet students’ basic needs quickly and to give every child a chance at success.
4 min read


From the Frontlines of Crisis Communication with Dr. Lori Mueller & Jerry Gallagher
In this episode of The Sound Off on School Safety, Michele Gay sits down with crisis communication experts Jerry Gallagher and Dr. Lori Mueller to unpack what it takes to lead in the moments that matter most.
6 min read


Standing Together After Tragedy: How to Support Schools and Communities
As we continue to monitor this developing situation, our hearts are with the Annunciation Catholic School community – students, staff, parents, first responders, and everyone impacted by today’s tragedy.
1 min read


The Truth About Autism and Water Safety with Swim Angelfish Co-Founder Cindy Freedman
In this episode of The Sound Off, Michele Gay talks with Cindy Freedman, co-founder of Swim Angelfish and pediatric therapist, about water safety for neurodivergent children.
4 min read


A New School Year, A Renewed Commitment for Safe and Sound Schools
As another school year begins, I want to take a moment to welcome you back on behalf of our entire Safe and Sound Schools team.
4 min read


How Especially Safe Is Transforming Inclusive Safety Planning
Especially Safe, a signature program developed by Safe and Sound Schools, empowers school safety teams to teach and train in ways that ensure everybody is prepared and protected in an emergency.
3 min read


The Most Overlooked Safety Fix for Schools with Former Secret Service Agent Mike Matranga
In this episode of The Sound Off, Michele Gay and Mike Matranga, former U.S. Secret Service agent and nationally recognized school safety leader, discuss how culture, relationships, readiness, and real-world experience shape safer school communities.
5 min read


Welcome to the Safe and Sound Team, Dr. Kate Shaw!
Safe and Sound Schools Welcomes Associate Director of Projects & Training
2 min read

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