Safe and secure schools don't happen by accident. They are the product of deliberate, coordinated effort across culture, mental health, physical security, facilities, policy, and technology. Each element dependent on the others. The challenge is not identifying what matters, it's making it all work together. To
By Lori Alhadeff Founder, Make Our Schools Safe Collective impact matters deeply to Make Our Schools Safe because school safety cannot be achieved by one person, one organization, or one solution. It requires all of us working together with a shared purpose: protecting students and ensuring that every child can
By Ken Wertz Executive Director National School Plant Management Association (NSPMA) At the National School Plant Management Association (NSPMA), we believe providing a safe and healthy environment for students and staff is one of the most important responsibilities of school facilities, maintenance, and operations professionals. Our members across the country
By Dr. Lewis A. Eakins, PhD, CPP Board of Directors, ZeroNow ZeroNow was founded on a single conviction: harmful events in our schools can be brought to zero, but no one organization, discipline, or sector can get there alone. From our beginning, we have brought together people who do not
Strengthening Security, Safety, Trust, and Continuity in the Modern Education Environment Schools are increasingly reliant on digital systems to deliver instruction, manage operations, and safeguard sensitive student information. Cyber threats such as ransomware, data breaches, account compromise, and social engineering continue to escalate across the education sector. Establishing a foundational
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In schools across the nation, the line between safety and well-being is increasingly blurred. Student mental health concerns are not isolated—they are often early indicators of a larger risk trajectory. Whether it’s self-harm or school violence, the warning signs are almost always there. But the challenge
By Garry McGiboney, Ph.D. Health Security Dynamics Across the nation, schools are searching for ways to improve student outcomes while simultaneously addressing increasing concerns about mental health, school climate, student behavior, and school safety. In response to these challenges, educational leaders in collaboration with emergency management leaders have increasingly
By Jill Lemond Evolv Technologies During this time of significant division, it can feel hard to find common ground in our communities. Truthfully, thoughtful dialogue and peaceful engagement can be challenging to find within our own families and circles of friends. We all have our beliefs and our experiences shaping
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A ZeroNow Position Paper. There are generally accepted, highly effective foundational physical security tools that should be available to school staff and students and should be required as a part of every school’s basic security profile. First, securable space at two levels, the building envelope and at the classroom
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School bus transportation is the first and last touchpoint for millions of students each day. Bus drivers are more than operators of vehicles; they are frontline safety leaders, culture builders, and early detectors of risk. This white paper explores how training, organizational culture, effective communication, and reporting mechanisms create a
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School safety is more than a checklist of physical measures—it’s a living, breathing culture that reflects the values and behaviors of everyone in the school community. Across recent ZeroNow conversations with school administrators, safety directors, and educational leaders, a key theme emerged: the need to move away from
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A Zero-In Insights Article. A Collective Approach to Planning, Prevention, and Preparedness School sporting and special events bring people together - students, families, and entire communities. These gatherings celebrate teamwork and pride, yet they also create complex safety challenges that require deliberate planning, coordination, and awareness. This Zero-In Insights