As School Safety Week comes to a close, it’s important to reflect on the importance of creating safe and secure environments for our students. This dedicated week reminds us that while safety encompasses everything from emergency drills to fostering emotional well-being, innovative tools and communication systems are key in helping schools prepare for and respond to potential threats. In today’s ever-changing world, ensuring schools are safe spaces for learning and growth is a shared responsibility between educators, parents, students and the community. Motorola Solutions is at the forefront of enhancing school safety, providing advanced technologies like video security, emergency communication systems and real-time alerts that empower schools to stay connected and informed. During the week, we dove into the tools and strategies that Motorola Solutions offers, ensuring that our schools not only protect but also promote a positive, inclusive learning environment for all students.
Episode 1: Solving for safer schools
The first webinar in the series, “Solving for Safer Schools“, featured expert Nancy Ann Martin, who discussed the critical role of license plate recognition (LPR) and body-worn cameras in school safety. With growing concerns around weapons, active shooters and unsecured doors, the focus was on how technology can help detect, analyze, communicate, and manage these risks. LPR provides schools with a heads-up by monitoring vehicle activity, sending alerts if a car matches a hot list created by school staff and law enforcement databases, and ensuring that only authorized vehicles access school grounds. Safety walks were also highlighted, encouraging schools to assess their campus security from the outside in, reviewing entrances, testing Wi-Fi and cellular coverage, and considering factors like transportation. Martin emphasized that schools don’t need an all-or-nothing approach; they should implement solutions that make sense for their campus. Tools like WAVE radios, Avigilon cameras, and the Rave Panic Button help enhance communication across classrooms and campus offices. With Motorola Solutions’ Orchestrate platform, schools can easily integrate and automate responses between security systems, such as sending alerts if a door is propped open. Schools are encouraged to start by evaluating their current technology and planning their budgets carefully, taking advantage of grants to fund these critical upgrades.
Episode 2: Rave and the value of the ecosystem
In the webinar, Rave and the value of the ecosystem, Rave experts from Motorola Solutions discussed the critical role of integrated ecosystems particularly in school environments. Rave, with over 20 years of experience in school safety, offers innovative panic alerting and mass notification systems that enable seamless communication between staff and first responders. Their easy-to-use mobile panic button allows staff to notify the appropriate personnel instantly, providing real-time critical information to help officers and staff de-escalate situations. By integrating with Motorola Solutions’ ecosystem, Rave can work with Motorola Solutions’ management tool Orchestrate to trigger responses between multiple security tools — such as triggering a mass alert if a camera detects a threat or locking down access control upon activation of a panic button. The use of CommandCentral Aware also allows for data sharing and live video feeds, ensuring first responders arrive well-prepared. This comprehensive system helps detect, analyze, communicate and respond to emergencies efficiently, keeping schools and communities safer.
Episode 3: How to build a healthier and safer school environment
In the webinar “How to Build a Healthier and Safer School Environment“, experts discussed key safety challenges schools face today, including vaping, medical emergencies, and school shootings, and how smart sensor technology like the HALO system helps address them. HALO smart sensors protect unmonitored areas like bathrooms and locker rooms by detecting vaping, loud noises, and poor air quality without using cameras or recording audio. Already in use by over 6,000 schools, HALO has been proven to be effective in preventing incidents such as vaping, detecting weapons, and responding to medical emergencies. Schools like North Scott High School in Iowa reported significant improvements in student health since adding the HALO systems. The webinar also highlighted how schools can access grants for vaping, air quality, and safety measures to fund this new technology on their own campuses. With proper training and response, HALO can drive quick and meaningful safety improvements across campuses.
Episode 4: Achieving clarity in your comprehensive school safety plan
The fourth webinar in the series, “Achieving Clarity in Your Comprehensive School Safety Plan,” featured Chuck Wilson, Chairman of PASS and a Motorola Solutions partner, who shared key insights into developing an effective school safety plan. Wilson emphasized that creating a comprehensive security plan involves assembling a diverse team — including law enforcement, parents, administrators, IT, and an integration team — to work together toward a common goal. Every school is unique, making it essential to tailor safety solutions to each campus. Motorola Solutions’ role in interoperability ensures that critical communications, access control, and video security work seamlessly, deterring, delaying, and detecting threats at every layer. Wilson stressed the importance of overcoming the mindset that “nothing bad will happen here,” advocating for regular training and drills to prepare staff and students for emergencies. By integrating technology such as two-way radios, Avigilon cameras, and access control systems, Motorola Solutions helps create a safe and compliant environment. Their ecosystem enables efficient emergency responses through automated workflows and streamlined communication, ensuring that schools are well-prepared to handle incidents, from the perimeter to the classroom.
Episode 5: Lexipol Grant assistance program
The Lexipol Grant Assistance Program webinar highlighted how schools can get funding for safety and security solutions through partnerships with Motorola Solutions, including Halo smart sensors, Avigilon video security, and Rave mobile alerts. Schools can visit EducationGrantsHelp.com to fill out two short forms on their project plans and budget, gaining access to a grant database tailored to their needs. The program offers coaching, expert feedback, and discounted grant writing assistance. Showing schools federal grants under the COPS program that can provide up to $500,000 for safety measures like metal detectors, locks, communication tools, and more. Schools can find grants for specific needs, such as vape and gun detection, ensuring they can get the technology needed to enhance campus safety.
As we conclude School Safety Week, it’s clear that creating a safer and healthier environment for students requires a blend of innovative technology and a strong community. The series of webinars offered valuable insights into how schools can use Motorola Solutions’ ecosystem to enhance security, communication and emergency response. From panic buttons and video surveillance to smart sensors and grant assistance, schools now have access to the tools needed to address today’s safety challenges. By adopting these solutions and encouraging staff, students, and law enforcement, schools can create secure learning environments that support student well-being and success.
Visit the School Safety Week page to watch the webinar series and learn more about the difference Motorola Solutions can make.
