School Safety Today

Raptor Technologies

Protecting students and teachers when stepping into school is priority #1. On School Safety Today, a podcast from Raptor Technologies, we'll bring you the technologies and leadership that protects over 60,000 schools worldwide.

  1. Beyond Rules: Talking to Kids About Online Safety

    Jun 5

    Beyond Rules: Talking to Kids About Online Safety

    In this episode, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Alejandra Monroy, Prevention Program Manager for Outreach and Prevention at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), about the realities of internet safety and how adults can better support children navigating online spaces. The conversation emphasizes that online safety is not achieved through rules and parental controls alone, but through ongoing communication, skill-building, and creating environments where children and teens feel comfortable seeking help KEY POINTS: Ongoing, open conversations are one of the most effective tools for helping children and teens stay safe online. Online risks now extend across social media, gaming, AI, and peer interactions, requiring adults to understand how children experience digital spaces. Children and teens are more likely to make safer choices and seek support when adults foster trust, communication, and problem-solving skills.

    31 min
  2. Beyond Physical Safety: Transparency, Trust, and Belonging

    May 26

    Beyond Physical Safety: Transparency, Trust, and Belonging

    In this episode of the Principles of Change podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso talks with Marie-Pier Ingraham, principal of Good Shepherd Catholic School in Maryland. The conversation explores how schools can create environments where students feel genuinely safe, supported, and known through strong relationships, emotional well-being, and meaningful family partnerships. KEY POINTS: School safety goes beyond physical security to include emotional safety, ensuring students feel nurtured, valued, and supported as whole children. Clear, calm communication with staff and families builds trust, reduces confusion, and strengthens school communities during challenging situations. Strong partnerships between school and home help create a culture where students can grow, make mistakes, and confidently be their authentic selves.

    30 min
  3. Building A Case That Gets Funded

    May 12

    Building A Case That Gets Funded

    In this episode, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Elisa Mula, founder and CEO of EM Designs, about the realities of grant funding for school safety and how schools can better position themselves to secure critical resources. The conversation highlights that school safety funding should be approached as part of an ongoing security effort, with schools continuously evaluating risks, leveraging free resources, and preparing well before grant opportunities open. KEY POINTS: 1. Proactive planning and regular security assessments position schools more competitively for safety funding opportunities. 2. Strong grant applications rely on clear needs assessments, tailored narratives, and a deep understanding of funding requirements. 3. Schools can make meaningful safety improvements without immediate funding by leveraging free resources, strengthening procedures, and building long-term plans.

    32 min
  4. Going Slow to Go Fast in School Safety Leadership

    Apr 28

    Going Slow to Go Fast in School Safety Leadership

    In this episode of the Principles of Change podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso talks with Tim Dykes, Assistant Principal for Culture and Climate at York High School in Elmhurst, Illinois. The conversation highlights how strong relationships, student voice, and steady long-term leadership can help schools build environments where people feel safe and want to be. KEY POINTS: 1. School safety extends beyond physical security to include emotional well-being. 2. A positive school climate is built through intentionality and consistency over time. 3. Student voice is a critical driver of school culture. Our guest, Tim Dykes, is an experienced school leader and educator with over 20 years in education, currently serving as Assistant Principal for Culture and Climate at York Community High School. He previously spent nine years as Dean of Students at Niles West High School and began his career as a social studies teacher and coach, shaping a student-centered leadership approach. Known for putting students first, Tim is dedicated to building positive school environments where all learners can succeed.

    29 min
  5. Understanding Raptor StudentSafe

    Apr 14

    Understanding Raptor StudentSafe

    In this episode of School Safety Today, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Chris Noell, Chief Product Officer at Raptor Technologies, and Will Durgin, Director of Student Well-Being, about the vision behind StudentSafe and how it helps schools move from reactive responses to proactive student support. Together, they emphasize that safer schools depend on giving staff the tools to identify patterns early, coordinate support effectively, and protect sensitive student information while making informed decisions. KEY POINTS: 1. Early identification and intervention are the foundation of effective school safety. 2. Collaborative, flexible systems are essential for managing student concerns and coordinating multidisciplinary responses. 3. Data-driven decisions depend on strong reporting and privacy controls that protect student information and build trust. Chris Noell is the Chief Product Officer at Raptor Technologies, where he leads product, engineering, security, and infrastructure, bringing decades of experience in information security and compliance. He previously held senior leadership roles at Alert Logic and founded TruComply, scaling SaaS platforms that served thousands of clients and were ultimately acquired. A recognized thought leader, he has spoken at over 40 conferences worldwide and been featured in The Wall Street Journal. Will Durgin is the Director of Student Wellbeing at Raptor Technologies, where he focuses on advancing proactive approaches to student safety and support. With a background in K–12 education and school safety, he previously served in leadership roles with The School District of Palm Beach County, overseeing threat assessment initiatives and safe schools programming, and earlier worked as an assistant principal, teacher, and coach. His hands-on experience across education, administration, and student services positions him as a practitioner-driven voice in student wellbeing and school safety.

    31 min
  6. How Rural Schools Are Redefining School Safety Through Relationships and Proactive Systems

    Mar 24

    How Rural Schools Are Redefining School Safety Through Relationships and Proactive Systems

    On Principles of Change, a podcast by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso sits down with Dr. Miguel Salazar, principal of Sundown Middle School in Sundown, Texas, to explore how one rural district is redefining school safety through culture, systems, and human connection. Together, they unpack how proactive frameworks, community values, and intentional relationship-building can transform school environments for the better. KEY POINTS: 1. School safety goes beyond physical security. It includes emotional safety, a sense of belonging, and meaningful student connections. 2. Proactive approaches, such as identifying students who lack strong adult relationships, are more impactful than reactive measures. 3. Building a culture where every student has a trusted adult requires involvement from the entire school community, from teachers to bus drivers. Dr. Miguel Salazar has dedicated over two decades to education, beginning his career as a math teacher and coach before moving into administration. After serving as a high school principal for nine years, he now leads Sundown Middle School and is set to become superintendent of Sundown ISD. A graduate of South Plains College and Texas Tech University, Dr. Salazar is known for his commitment to student-centered leadership and his focus on building systems that ensure every child has a champion within the school.

    33 min
  7. Why Student Visibility Matters in Today’s Schools

    Mar 3

    Why Student Visibility Matters in Today’s Schools

    School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies. In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso interviews SRO Todd Brendel of Dayton Independent Schools (KY), who shares frontline insights on the importance of knowing where students and staff are throughout the school day. He explains how they manage student movement, visibility, and accountability, including the tools, processes, and technology they use to support safety. KEY POINTS: 1. Monitoring campus movement can help reduce bullying, vandalism, vaping, and unsafe meetups. 2. Visibility into movement data helps staff identify patterns, monitor time out of class, and address concerning behaviors sooner. 3. Small operational decisions often have a greater impact than high-profile threat scenarios. Our guest, Todd Brendel, is a veteran law enforcement leader and School Resource Officer (SRO) serving at Dayton Independent Schools in Dayton, Kentucky. He began his career in policing in 1990 and was among the first School Resource Officers in Kentucky in 1999. Over the course of his career, he served in patrol and leadership roles, and eventually as Police Chief before retiring in 2020. Following his retirement, Brendel returned to school safety work and is now in his fourth year as an SRO at Dayton. He has also served as president of Kentucky’s SRO association and remains deeply committed to strengthening campus safety through practical systems, strong school culture, and thoughtful use of technology.

    31 min
  8. Building Safer Schools Through Restorative Practices

    Feb 24

    Building Safer Schools Through Restorative Practices

    School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies. In this episode of Principals of Change, host Dr. Amy Grosso sits down with D’Jon Pitchford, Assistant Principal at Kelly Lane Middle School in Pflugerville ISD, to explore what school safety really means. Pitchford reframes safety as more than physical security—emphasizing trust, restorative practices, campus culture, and the importance of allowing both students and staff to be human. Through candid stories and practical leadership insights, the conversation highlights how belonging, consistency, and relationship-repair form the foundation of truly safe schools. D’Jon Pitchford is an Assistant Principal at Kelly Lane Middle School in Pflugerville ISD, where he is deeply committed to creating safe, supportive, and relationship-centered school environments. His career in education began after early work with the Boys & Girls Clubs, where he developed a passion for early intervention and youth development. Pitchford has served in multiple roles across elementary and middle school settings. A former middle school science teacher and coach in football, basketball, and track, he brings both instructional and leadership perspectives to his work. Key Points 1. School safety goes beyond locks and drills — students must feel safe, trusted, and supported to learn. 2. Restorative practices build accountability through relationships, not punishment alone. 3. Healthy campus culture starts with leaders modeling humanity, flexibility, and trust.

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Protecting students and teachers when stepping into school is priority #1. On School Safety Today, a podcast from Raptor Technologies, we'll bring you the technologies and leadership that protects over 60,000 schools worldwide.

Information

  • Creator
    Raptor Technologies
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    87
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    School Safety Today

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