HONOR, RESILIENCE & TOGETHERNESS: A REFLECTION ON 25 YEARS SINCE COLUMBINE Originally published by Frank DeAngelis on LinkedIn Each year, as we approach Columbine’s day of remembrance, my heart swells with both immense sorrow and renewed determination. Sorrow for our beloved 13, as well as for all of the lives tragically impacted, and determination to remain steadfast in our resilience. In 2000, at the 1-year remembrance, I called for “a time to remember, a time to hope.” Regardless of the years that have passed, this message remains the same. We must continue to remember, to hope, to ..read more

April’s Meaningful Moments: Celebration, Honor and Advocacy Originally published by Michele Gay on LinkedIn April holds a very special place in the heart of Safe and Sound Schools. It’s a month where we commemorate our journey, honor remarkable individuals, and continue our advocacy for safer, more inclusive environments for every student, every day. We invite you to join us in embracing each of these meaningful moments! Celebrating 11 Years of Safe and Sound Schools This week, we celebrated the founding anniversary of Safe and Sound Schools—a milestone that fills us with immense pride a ..read more

Choosing to Survive: Reflecting on 19 Years Since the Red Lake High School Shooting Last week, I delivered my “Choosing to Survive” keynote to an audience of FBI and other law enforcement agencies in North Carolina. As I stood before them, detailing the last 19 years of my life, I was struck by an elevated mix of emotions, those that come with an approaching day of remembrance. March 21, 2005 Never could I have imagined that a seemingly ordinary day at Red Lake High School would transform into a nightmare. Ninety seconds. That’s all it took for our world to be shattered by violence. Ninety s ..read more

Honoring Women’s Leadership in School Safety: Stories of Innovation and Impact Originally published by Michele Gay on LinkedIn. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I’m honored to shine light on some of the incredible women leading the charge in school safety, mental health, and emergency response. Through their intelligent, resourceful, and innovative approaches, these women are reshaping our educational environments for the better. With voices that echo wisdom, compassion, and a shared commitment to creating safe and sound environments for our children and communities, I’m sure you ..read more

CHARTING PROGRESS THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND INITIATIVES Originally published by Michele Gay on LinkedIn: ____ Hello Safe and Sound community, It’s hard to believe we’re already more than halfway through the month of February. Following an action-packed 2023,  recapped in our first-ever Annual Report, 2024 is off to a very fast, very meaningful start. As we move through this month, the 14th always brings up powerful emotions and memories as we remember those lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School six years ago. Our hearts continue to be with the families, the survivors, a ..read more

“Especially Special”: Celebrating Joey and the Work She Has Inspired Originally published by Michele Gay on LinkedIn. Each year, as we move through the holiday season, two significant dates also remind us of the reasons behind our unwavering commitment to protecting every school, every student, every day. December 11th marks Joey’s Birthday; she would have turned 18 this year.   December 14th stands as a day of remembrance for the 26 precious children and adults tragically lost at Sandy Hook School. A day that forever changed the families and communities that loved each of them ..read more

Learning, Growing, and Giving: A Safe and Sound Birthday Reflection Originally published by Michele Gay on LinkedIn: Hello Safe and Sound community, As another year unfolds, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve shared and the dreams we hold for the future. In this moment of reflection, I feel a calling to share my Safe and Sound birthday wish for this year: let’s commit to learning something new, from someone new, each day to keep our schools safe and sound. From subject matter experts and parents, to solution providers and educators who are in our schools each day ..read more

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to skim the headlines and move on. But some stories and voices deserve to be heard in full. The true power of a community is unveiled when its leaders and members unite to share, reflect, and act. This season of “The Sound Off” delves into honest, heartfelt conversations with leaders, educators, and community members who are on the front lines working to build safer schools for everyone. Imagine a world where every child can walk into a school without fear and teachers focus solely on nurturing young minds, not worrying about potential threats. The people ..read more

First things first, we’d like to congratulate our longtime friend and Safe and Sound speaker, Paul Timm, on the launch of his new podcast, The Changing Face of School Security. In this podcast, Paul hosts leaders and change makers in the K-12 industry and highlights strategies and tools that can help schools navigate and address the ever changing landscape of school safety and security. Co-Founder and Executive Director Michele Gay recently joined Paul on his podcast to kick off the first episode and discuss: the Safe and Sound Schools mission, the Especially Safe program, the importance of ..read more

Happy National School Counseling Week! We recently sat down with one of Safe and Sound’s favorite school counselors, Molly Hudgens, to shine a light on the role school counselors play in supporting student success and safety. In addition serving as a school counselor at Sycamore Middle School, Molly is a national school safety expert and speaker, and the recipient of a Congressional Medal of Honor Citizens Honor for a Single Act of Heroism. Q: What inspired you to become a school counselor? A: In my first year of undergrad, a friend encouraged me to take a class called “Marriage and ..read more