Joe Coppola, Jr., President of the Bergen County Education Association (BCEA), believes that Bergen County, New Jersey has what it takes to become a model of school safety and security for other counties throughout the nation.

"BCEA is committed to working with district and school staff to create the best possible learning environment for our students. This includes a continuing effort to work collaboratively with parents, law enforcement and community leaders to prevent tragedies whenever possible rather than react after an incident occurs."

On Wednesday, October 22, 2008, the Bergen County Education Association hosted a dinner presentation - Transforming Our Schools: The Heart and Brick of School Security - for over 200 attendees at The Marriott in Teaneck as a follow up to the initiative that kicked off September 16, 2008.

Attendees included teachers, counselors, crisis management team members and administrators from throughout Bergen County as well as security personnel and law enforcement officials from the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association, Bergen County Sheriff's Office, the FBI, New Jersey Association School Resource Officers, and numerous police departments. The presence of educators, law enforcement and emergency personnel together at this event is a testament to the unity of effort among Bergen County, federal, state and local agencies.

In a series of three articles since June 19, 2008, David Ress, Richmond Times-Dispatch Staff Writer, has continued the call for transparency from Virginia Tech as to the discussions, decisions and actions of the leadership team on the morning of April 16, 2007 after the first two shootings.

On Tuesday, September 9, 2008, thanks to the leadership of Lawrence F. Loesch, CPP, Vice President and General Manager of AlliedBarton Security Services, a dinner meeting designed to provide information, instruction, and insight to leaders responsible for emergency management, safety and security at area educational institutions was held at the New York Athletic Club.

Although contemporary headlines reflect challenges that can easily discourage us, my experience with American youth is that they truly represent a generation of hope.

On Tuesday, June 10, 2008, thanks to the leadership of Linda DePinto, Student Assistant Counselor of Bergenfield High School, I was privileged to participate in a venue highlighting the need to drive and act responsibly during end of school year events such as the prom and graduation parties.

On Thursday, May 29, 2008, the Union City Board of Education continued its admirable comprehensive educational formation with a presentation for hundreds of 5th-8th grade students from the Roosevelt School.

On Wednesday, October 22, 2008, the West New York Schools continued their commitment to developing quality educators through an administrators' professional day presentation titled Transforming Our Schools: The Heart and Brick of School Safety. By invitation of Assistant Superintendent John Fauta, I was privileged to be the speaker for the presentation. This program was developed in response to a directive of the State of New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner.

LISTEN TO THEIR CRIES
Calling the Nation to Renewal from Columbine to Virginia Tech

Vincent J. Bove's recently released book has received very favorable reviews from attendees at various conferences and members of various associations including the National Conference on Ethics in America, the Bergen County Education Association, the Rebeka Verea Foundation, the School of Administrative Science of the Fairleigh Dickinson University Petrocelli College of Continuing Studies, and AlliedBarton Security Services .