Two powerful, empowering words and clearly the most important and instructive takeaway from New York State Trooper Jason Klewicki’s compelling 75-minute “School Violence Prevention & Response” presentation to the entire Newark School District staff September 3rd.
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He told everyone in the Newark High School auditorium they should become very aware of their classroom or workplace surroundings now and mentally develop an effective plan they would employ in the event of a serious threat of violence to themselves, students, and other members of the school community.
His keynote presentation was laced with effective suggestions, slides and videos that effectively illustrated his points, all while reassuringly adding the proviso, “this will probably never happen, but if it did you would want to be prepared as much as possible.”
Little did anyone at NHS, much less Klewicki, know on Sept. 3rd that the following day a horrific school shooting would take place at Apalachee High School in Georgia.
Furthermore, no one at NHS that same day anticipated the widespread circulation of threats targeting schools throughout the state that occurred last week that they would all have to address.
Unfortunately, Klewicki’s presentation was very timely.
Troop E School & Community Outreach Coordinator, Klewicki, a 26-year veteran of the NYS Police, provides presentations, technical assistance and support to educational facilities, businesses, and community groups in the 10-county Troop E area. His experience and credentials are impressive.
Prior to becoming a Trooper, Klewicki served five years (1992-97) in the Active-Duty Air Force as a member of the Security Police, both stateside and overseas. He simultaneously joined the Army National Guard, as well as being accepted to the NYS Police Academy in 1998. He served for seven years (1998-2005) as Sergeant in the 2nd 108th Infantry Battalion that led to him serving tours in New York City after 9/11 as well as participating overseas in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2008, Klewicki became a certified Defensive Tactics Instructor for Academy recruits as well as in-service Troopers. In 2010, he became the lead Taser Instructor for Troop E.
What came across more than anything else in his presentation to NCSD staff was Klewicki’s passion to do whatever he can to proactively prevent school violence in the region through education, heightening awareness and stressing to audiences to take his presentations to heart and seriously develop a mental plan in the unthinkable event that they would need to implement it.
Drawing from lots of vital information he’s received by attending conferences featuring experts, and some victims of school violence including from high profile school districts tragically impacted by school shootings like Columbine, Sandy Hook and Parkland High, Klewicki’s concise presentation was awash with proven pro-active measures and strategies on how to reduce the risk of school violence.
One of the most important ways, he said was that individuals should not keep quiet about erratic or concerning behaviors, like bullying of students they witness or learn about and confidentially and expeditiously report them to proper channels.
Klewicki said people intent on violence are typically well-versed about what happened at other high-profile school shootings and what they should avoid in hopes of carrying out their dark mission.
After his presentation, Klewicki said: “Everything I covered in my presentation are things Sue (Superintendent Susan Hasenauer) already has in place in the school district or is working on putting into place. I’m very impressed.”
Both Hasenauer and José Otero, Director of Security for the NCSD have attended conferences where Klewicki has presented before.
“Sue (Hasenauer) brought him here,” Otero said. “His presentation to our staff was great. I’ve seen his presentations a couple of times before and what he has spoken has kickstarted measures we have either put into place or are in the process of doing so.”
Hasenauer agrees.
“The district takes safety and security seriously and will continue to add to its infrastructure and program to enhance our environment for all students and staff.”