Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Lori Alhadeff, CEO of Make Our Schools Safe (MOSS), who discusses the nonprofit organization’s efforts to improve school safety following the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida that claimed the lives of 17 people, including Lori’s daughter, Alyssa. Lori explains how Make Our Schools Safe advocates for Alyssa’s Law, which requires wearable panic buttons for teachers to quickly alert 911 during emergencies, and has successfully passed legislation in 12 states including Tennessee. The organization also operates student-led MOSS Clubs in schools to promote safety culture and awareness, with Lori encouraging listeners to start clubs in Tennessee and advocate for the law through the organization’s website. The discussion covers practical safety measures schools should implement, including locked doors, security cameras, and regular lockdown drills, while highlighting the importance of mental health support and community involvement in creating safer school environments.
Visit https://makeourschoolssafe.org to learn more and get involved with Make Our Schools Safe.
Summary
Make Our School Safe Organization – Lori discusses the founding of Make Our School Safe, a nonprofit organization established after the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where her daughter Alyssa was one of the 17 victims. The organization focuses on school safety, and its logo features an infinity symbol that represents Alyssa’s soccer jersey number 8 turned sideways. Lori explains how the tragedy turned her family’s pain into action, leading to the creation of “Alyssa’s Law,” which aims to transform school safety laws at both state and national levels.
Alyssa’s Law Implementation Discussion – Lori explains Alyssa’s Law, a wearable panic button for teachers that can trigger emergency responses for medical situations, behavioral problems, or active shooter incidents. She describes how the law was first passed in New Jersey and has since been implemented in 12 states, with her goal to expand it nationwide to ensure consistent school safety standards. Jeremy asks about the implementation process across different states and shares insights from a previous discussion about active shooter drills, including how smoke from gunshots can trigger fire alarms, potentially confusing students.
Make Our School Safe Program – Lori discusses the Make Our School Safe program, which includes student-led safety clubs that help create safer school environments through student leadership and teacher sponsorship. She highlights communication failures during the Parkland shooting in 2018, including problematic radios and delayed cameras, which led to tragic consequences including the death of her daughter Alyssa. Lori emphasizes the importance of learning from these mistakes and taking school safety seriously, noting that Florida has been a leader in creating school safety laws over the past eight years.
MOSS Clubs School Implementation Discussion – Lori discusses the implementation of MOSS Clubs in schools, which focus on activities like anti-bullying, mental health awareness, and school safety through initiatives such as safety pep rallies and mental health journals. She reports positive feedback from schools, including plans for additional training like first aid and CPR. Jeremy inquires about community involvement in promoting both MOSS Clubs and Alyssa’s Law.
School Safety and Fundraising Initiatives – Lori discusses school safety measures including locked doors, single points of entry, cameras, and panic buttons, emphasizing the importance of regular lockdown drills involving all stakeholders. She highlights the organization’s efforts to promote Alyssa’s Act at both federal and state levels through their website and student engagement initiatives. Lori also mentions their fundraising activities, including the Live for Alyssa Gala, golf fundraiser, and tennis fundraiser, encouraging involvement through donations and starting MOSS Clubs at high schools.
Alyssa’s Law Implementation in Tennessee – Lori discusses the implementation of Alyssa’s Law in Tennessee, emphasizing the importance of school districts having wearable panic buttons and conducting drills. She encourages the formation of MOSS clubs in high schools to promote school safety and urged parents to speak up about potential vulnerabilities. Lori provides information about getting involved with Make Our School Safe through their website, social media platforms, and offers thanks for the support in promoting school safety across Tennessee.
Visit https://makeourschoolssafe.org to learn more and get involved with Make Our Schools Safe.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-alhadeff-802b02179/
https://www.facebook.com/MakeOurSchoolsSafe17
