OUR MISSION
The Friends of Safe Schools United States of America is a 501(c)(3) public charity committed to improving safety in and around schools. Our approach to improving safety is rooted in improving communication, awareness and participating in programs that inspire positive behavior, cooperative relationships and a safer school environment.
Pennsylvania Chapter Directors
Dr. Johannah Vanatta, Superintendent
Chartiers Valley School District
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Dr. Nicole Bezila, Director of Pupil Services
North Hills School District
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Chief Aaron Vanatta
Quaker Valley School District Police
Sewickley, Pennsylvania
Contact Us:
Safe Schools
News:
School District of Lancaster seeks feedback on school resource officer role
February 25, 2021
LANCASTER, Pa-
Following this past summer, there have been pointed conversations about the role of police in our society.
The School District of Lancaster (SDOL) is continuing those talks centered around the officers who regularly patrol their buildings.
Meghan Oakley-Henning with the district said when police officers were first brought into SDOL buildings they were brought in for school safety reasons.
She said the district wants to know the impact of still having the officers in the district’s middle and high schools.
Milton Hershey School students playing key role to improve policing across Pa.
February 23, 2021
HERSHEY, Pa. -
The moment was unprecedented. Police protests were sweeping America. This, as a groundswell for social justice and equitable policing hit critical mass, propelled by rage over George Floyd’s death under the knee of a Minneapolis cop.
Amid all this, 99 members of the Pennsylvania State Police’s 159th cadet class were fanning out across the commonwealth to begin their law enforcement careers. Thanks to dozens of minority students at Milton Hershey School, these new state troopers carried with them a little extra insight and empathy for how people of color might see them.