Crete-Monee School District 201-U held its second annual Safety Symposium on February 4, 2025, at Crete-Monee High School. The event brought together school leaders, safety personnel, first responders, and community members for a day of collaboration and learning.
The symposium featured expert-led workshops focused on enhancing school safety and preparedness, reinforcing best practices, and implementing key initiatives to protect students and staff.
Superintendent Dr. Kara Coglianese highlighted the event’s importance, stating, “Creating safe and supportive learning environments is a shared responsibility. Events like this allow us to learn from each other and implement innovative strategies that ensure the safety of our students and staff.”
Key Topics and Workshops
Twelve insightful workshops addressing key safety topics were conducted by expert speakers from Crete-Monee, alongside sessions from external vendors, including:
- Q&A: Where Do We Begin?
Dr. Kara Coglianese, Superintendent, Crete-Monee SD 201-U
- Safety in Action: Practical Tools for Educating & Debriefing Staff
Dr. Lisa Miller, Principal, Balmoral Elementary
- Threat Assessment & Proactive Accountability: Identifying Risks & Ensuring Responsible Actions
Robin Tobias, Director of Safety & Security, Crete-Monee SD 201-U
- Shared Responsibilities Under Illinois Criminal Code (ILCS 720): Law Enforcement & Schools
Patrick Siemsen, Chief of Police, City of Momence
- Paws-itive Impact: Exploring the Benefits of Therapy Dogs in Schools
David Hall, Administrative Dean & Healing Paws Coordinator, Crete-Monee High School
- High School Response Procedures & Emergency Communications: Detailed Framework on Managing Crises & Effective Communication
Lamont Holifield, Principal, Crete-Monee High School
- School Safety Drills & Staff Actions: Strategies to Prepare Staff for Emergency Situations & Quick Responses
Bryon Mane, Principal, Coretta Scott King Magnet School
- Communications: Communication and Engagement for Tomorrow's Crisis
Dr. Lori Mueller, Partner, Donovan Group
- Developing a Culture of Safety: Highlighting ALICE Protocols
Greg Schneider, Assistant Principal, Crete-Monee Middle School
- The Power of Preparedness: Drills & Real-life Readiness
Myetta Ali, Assistant Principal, Monee Elementary
- First Responder Communications & Schools: Dispatch Scenarios
Theresa Ward, School Safety Director, Will County Regional Office of Education
- Conceal Carry Weapons Detection System: Capabilities & Product Demonstration
Ryan Medley, Customer Success Manager, Evolv Technology; Tyler Pliner, Regional Account Manager, Apex3 Systems; Chris Trott, Senior Account Executive, Evolv Technology
Participants appreciated the practical knowledge shared, with one remarking, “This was incredibly beneficial and useful. The openness in sharing resources and knowledge is exactly what we need more of in this area. I’m excited to explore the resources further and look forward to potential future opportunities to collaborate with the team at Crete-Monee School District.” Another noted, "The debriefing aspect of Crete-Monee's procedure is something our school district currently lacks, so it was valuable to learn about that process and its significance."
The symposium also offered Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credit hours, making it a valuable professional development opportunity. The event reinforced Crete-Monee’s commitment to school safety while strengthening connections with neighboring school districts and law enforcement agencies. Notable attendees included Scott Pieritz, Chief of Police in Crete; Adam Groszek, Deputy Chief of Police in Crete; and Ramon McCalpine, Police Officer in Monee and School Resource Officer at Monee Elementary.
Looking ahead, Dr. Kara Coglianese reaffirmed the district’s dedication to continuous improvement, stating, “We are committed to making this symposium an annual event, building upon the knowledge and strategies shared each year. By continuously evolving and incorporating new insights, we can ensure our schools remain at the forefront of safety preparedness.”
The district is excited to build on this event and further enhance safety for students and staff in the years to come.