School Safety Symposium

Thanks to Manhattanville College's Renee Gargano for the following.

Keeping schools safe will be the focus of a symposium to be held at Reid Castle at Manhattanville College on Feb. 26th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature panelists close to the Newtown tragedy as well as experts in security, education law and mental health.

Co-sponsored by Manhattanville College and Putnam/Northern Westchester Board of Cooperative Educational Services, the symposium is aimed at school leaders and will offer the most current thinking, strategies and initiatives to make our schools safer. In the event of snow, the symposium will be held on Thursday, April 4, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Panelists include:

Frederick Dorsey, an attorney who represents the Town of Newtown, Conn., and has represented the Public Schools of Newtown. Mr. Dorsey will speak about the impact the tragedy has had on state legislation and school and municipal policies.

Brian Farragher, Executive Vice president and  Chief Operating Officer of Andrus Children’s Center, a childhood mental health expert who recently spoke at the Gun Violence Prevention Stakeholders Meeting at the White House.

Dr. Kenneth Freeston, Superintendent of Schools in North Salem, N.Y., and resident of Newtown, Conn. The author of numerous articles on parenting and teaching and an award-winning educational leader, Dr. Freeston will speak about the impact of the tragedy on the community.

Dr. Kenneth Mitchell, Superintendent of Schools in South Orangetown, N.Y. An educator for 35 years, Dr. Mitchell wrestled a gunman to the ground three years ago at South Orangetown Middle School.

Joseph M. Russo, Senior Vice President, Executive Protection, T&M Protection Resources, LLC, is a 20-year veteran of the Secret Service who was Special Agent in Charge of security for former President Clinton and former Senator Hillary Clinton.

Michael Sellet, Regional Safety Coordinator for Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES, will speak about the need for comprehensive safety planning.