Secondary school monitors learn the proper way to defend themselves using a baton during professional development at St. Croix Central High School gym on August 24, 2016.
St. Croix school monitors participated in a four-day professional development training August 22 - 25, 2016 at St. Croix Central High School gymnasium to upgrade their skills in defensive tactics, level of force, responding to an active-shooter, and to learn about legal guidelines when carrying out their duties in safety and security on school campuses.
Johnny Purvis, Ph.D., a retired professor at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) led discussions on safety and security issues. He was joined by Captain Justin Tapley and Lt. Jamie Boothe of the UCA Police Department who administered training in defensive tactics, such as handcuffing and using a baton for self-defense. The monitors were also trained on how to properly engage specific pressure points on the body in order to subdue persons posing a threat.
Additionally, the four-day training provided the school monitors with extensive instruction on understanding federal laws and constitutional admendments as it relates to safety.
Department of Education Commissioner Sharon Ann McCollum, Ph.D., Assistant Education Commissioner Chermaine Hobson-Johnson, St. Croix Superintendent of Schools Colleen Mae Williams, and St. Croix Deputy Superintendent Vaughn Hewitt came to give guidance and to entertain questions from the school monitors.
St. Croix District Safe Schools Program Manager, Renee Hansen, who coordinated the professional development for the monitors, said the training was well received by the group. Out of the 60 school monitors throughout the school district, 42 participated in the professional development, while others were in Hazmat training in Alabama, according to Hansen.
| Secondary school monitors learn the proper way to defend themselves using a baton during professional development at St. Croix Central High School gym on August 24, 2016. |
| Retired University of Central Arkansas Professor Johnny Purvis tells participants how to watch their backs during professional development training for school monitors on St. Croix Aug. 24 at CHS gym. |
| V.I. Education Commissioner Sharon Ann McCollum, Ph.D., center, makes a point during St. Croix school monitors professional development at CHS gym on August 24. |
| St. Croix’s Superintendent Colleen Mae Williams, standing left, listens to a monitor’s concerns at professional development at St. Croix Central High School gym Aug. 24. Deputy Superintendent Vaughn Hewitt, standing at right, looks on. |
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Secondary school monitors learn the proper way to defend themselves using a baton during professional development at St. Croix Central High School gym on August 24, 2016. |
| A St. Croix school monitor asks a question at professional development on August 24 at CHS gymnasium. |
New batons await to be handled by St. Croix school monitors at professional development Aug. 24 at St. Croix CHS gym.
