Safe Schools Summit: Sandy Hook Mom Addresses Local Community

PLEASANT HILL, CA – The Contra Costa County Office of Education last week held its first-ever Safe Schools Summit, heralding the launch of a partnership with Sandy Hook Promise -- a national non-profit dedicated to protecting children from violence and founded by family members whose loved ones were killed in December 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut.

The summit highlighted no-cost programs, that can be implemented to make schools safer, currently kicking off in middle and high schools throughout Contra Costa County with the goal of making violence on campuses "a thing of the past."

Keynote speaker at the event, held Oct. 24 at the Pleasant Hill Community Center, was Nicole Hockley, founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise and the mother of a young son, who died during the Sandy Hook mass-shooting.

“We don’t focus on the gun, we focus on the person,” Hockley said.

With more than 160 attendees from 17 Contra Costa County school districts, the community college district, PTAs and local law enforcement, the summit served as an opportunity for CCCOE to define its focus on efforts to prevent, prepare and respond to violence on school campuses and help educate the educators.

"The goal of the event was to promote a culture of connectedness and inclusion where schools and communities come together to support young people so that violence on school campuses becomes a thing of the past," CCCOE officials said.

Following Hockley's address was the demonstration of one program, a “Start with Hello” mock student-assembly presented by Brandon Rainey of Sandy Hook Promise and intended to aid young people, who may feel isolated and can become victims of bullying, violence and depression.

The summit also introduced the Promise's Know the Signs, an all-encompassing program to help identify youth at risk of hurting themselves or others.

“Today's summit was extraordinary,” Walnut Creek School District Superintendent Marie Morgan said. “I want to recognize the CCCOE for their efforts in organizing our Safe Schools Initiative, their hard work is appreciated! On behalf of all the WCSD students you are supporting to keep safe – thank you!”

Prior to the summit, a one-hour, parent coffee was offered for Contra Costa County parents of current K-12 students with a presentation and question-and-answer session featuring Hockley.

To read more on the Sandy Hook Promise, click here.

For more information on CCCOE's Safe Schools Initiative, click here.

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--Images of Contra Costa County Office of Education Chief Communications Officer Terry Koehne and Nicole Hockley with Sandy Hook Promise.