A New School Year, A Renewed Commitment for Safe and Sound Schools
- Michele Gay
- Aug 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 18
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.
Summer always seems to fly by, but this one was especially full. From launching our new website at the beginning of the season to traveling across the country speaking and training, this summer was packed with meaningful moments, powerful partnerships, and new tools and resources designed to support school communities like yours.
I’ve always believed that school safety is a team sport—one that calls us to come together, collaborate, and learn from one another. And this summer reminded me that our community’s power is in our commitment to doing just that.
Below, I’ve pulled together a few highlights from the past few months, along with a look at what’s coming next. I hope these updates inspire and support you as you step into a new season of leading, learning, and protecting our most precious people.
Summer Highlights: Learning, Leading, and Listening
This summer, our Safe and Sound Schools team and members of our Speakers Bureau were honored to work alongside incredible educators, leaders, and advocates from coast to coast.
Here are just a few highlights:
Partnering with the Utah State Board of Education to co-host the second annual Utah School Safety Conference
Supporting local efforts in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, where community engagement and student-centered planning were front and center at the Cabarrus County Schools Safety Summit
Presenting on our Averted School Violence Project and Staying Safe Student Safety Program at NASRO’s annual School Safety Conference
Presenting at safety summits across the country to share lived experiences and expert strategies for building safer, more inclusive schools
Check out some highlights from our speakers’ travels this summer!
New Resources to Support You This Year
We know that back-to-school season is full of decisions, plans, and preparation. That’s why we’ve been working hard to create tools that help you build safer, stronger communities, no matter your role.
Here are five resources and updates you may have missed this summer:
A Parent’s Guide to Safer Online Practices
We teamed up with Snap Inc. to develop a free, accessible guide for parents and caregivers navigating today’s digital world with their children and teens.
“The Parent’s Guide to Fostering Safer Online Practices on Snapchat & Beyond” offers:
Conversation starters for tricky online topics
Practical safety tools and tips
Strategies for building trust and resilience in digital spaces
Especially Safe: Inclusive Planning that Leaves No One Behind
Our Especially Safe program continues to transform how schools plan for individuals with disabilities, medical needs, communication challenges, and mobility concerns.
We recently added a fillable PDF tool to support teams in developing Individual Safety Plans, making it easier to provide thoughtful, inclusive protection for every student, staff member, and visitor.
Read all about the power of this program in our recent program spotlight blog!
Beyond Locks and Doors: A Call for Comprehensive School Safety
In an op-ed published in Door Security & Safety Magazine, I wrote about the importance of thinking beyond physical barriers and embracing a layered, community-driven approach to school safety. From communication and culture to planning and preparedness, safety requires all of us.
Check out the op-ed to learn more about how we can come together to more effectively keep our campuses safe.
3 Ways Principals Can Help Make Schools Safer
This summer, I joined Paige Settles of CISA at the Principals UNITED conference in Seattle to talk about how school leaders can elevate safety in their communities. K‑12 Dive captured some of the key takeaways from our session, including:
Why safety is “the ultimate team sport”
How to train every member of your school community
What inclusive preparedness really looks like
Read the full article today for more on what inclusive safety must look like.
Welcoming Dr. Kate Shaw to Our Team
We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Kate Shaw to the Safe and Sound Schools team! With a strong background in behavioral threat assessment, emergency management, and prevention, Kate brings deep expertise and heartfelt commitment to our mission.
Her presence strengthens our ability to serve schools across the country—and we’re so excited for what’s ahead with her on board.
Learn more about Dr. Shaw’s background and the work she’ll be doing!
Looking Ahead: What’s Coming This Fall from Safe and Sound Schools
As we move into a new school year, our team is focused on continuing to provide relevant, timely, and practical tools to support your goals. In the coming weeks and months, you can look forward to:
New podcast episodes with leading experts
Downloadable resources to support training and planning
Spotlights on community events and success stories
Program updates designed to grow with your school’s evolving needs
We’ll also continue this series of updates, so make sure you’re subscribed to our email list and following us on social media to stay informed.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Mission
Every conversation, every collaboration, and every story we share is part of a bigger movement: to ensure that every school—and every student—is safe and sound.
Thank you for continuing this journey with us. Whether you're a parent, principal, school resource officer, or policymaker, your role matters. And we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Here’s to a safe, purpose-filled, and successful school year ahead.
With gratitude,
Michele
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