First Regional School Safety Meeting Hosted by State Department of Education in Charleston This Week

The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of children in schools by hosting regional school safety meetings starting this week. County and school administrators will be joining forces with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), West Virginia Department of Homeland Security, the Fusion Center, and the WVDE to discuss potential threats to child safety.

Director of School Safety Jonah Adkins emphasized the importance of public involvement in keeping children safe. The FBI will be addressing online activities that students may be involved in, such as hackers and adults pretending to be juveniles on social media. Additionally, schools and counties will have access to new technology tools for submitting annual safety plans through the WVDE GPS program, which includes features for emergency reunification plans.

Adkins also highlighted the “See Send” App, which allows students to report safety concerns anonymously for investigation by the school safety unit. He stressed the importance of community involvement in school safety and prevention efforts.

The first meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 7, at the Embassy Suites in Charleston, covering several counties. Subsequent meetings will be held in Wheeling, Lewisburg, and at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, addressing safety concerns in various regions of the state.

These regional safety sessions aim to increase awareness, prevent incidents, and ultimately ensure the safety and well-being of all students in West Virginia schools.