LenelS2, a global provider of advanced physical security solutions, announced the launch of On the Safe Side, a program designed to empower families, schools and communities to have more impactful conversations about school security.

The program will be part of an ongoing commitment to improve support for families and schools, according to the announcement. In consultation with National PTA, LenelS2 has developed resources for families and administrators to drive conversations about the physical security and safety of their schools. The company has also partnered with actor and father, Chad Michael Murray, to help bridge the education gap and drive awareness around this complex and critical topic.

“As I watch my children grow, my instinct to protect them grows too,” Murray said. “Their safety is the most important thing to me. Like most parents, we make an effort to talk about safety with our kids, but so often, it’s hard to know where to begin. I’m joining LenelS2 and the On the Safe Side program to help provide parents with the tools they need to feel more comfortable approaching the topic. These resources are essential to help start the conversation and spark change.”

Schools often have limited means and funds available to help safeguard their facilities from threats other than fire. As part of On the Safe Side, LenelS2 has developed tools for administrators to help them navigate the government funding process and bring in physical security features for their facilities. Additionally, the company has developed a conversation guide, in consultation with National PTA, to help parents and caregivers understand how to discuss school security with their children and schools.

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“National PTA and LenelS2 hold a shared urgency to make our schools safer. Schools should be a safe place, and parents should not have to fear sending their children to school,” said Yvonne Johnson, president of National PTA. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with LenelS2 in empowering families and administrators with On the Safe Side resources. Collaboration between families and schools is critical to addressing the school safety issues our country continues to face.”

To launch the program and encourage action, LenelS2 and Murray have developed a video about the importance of school safety and security education. Issues facing schools today are different than when parents were students themselves, the nostalgia-inspired video empowers parents to have more meaningful conversations about school security so that everyone can rally behind the cause, according to the announcement.

School Safety Discussion

This month, LenelS2 hosted an On the Safe Side school safety discussion for parents moderated by Murray, the “One Tree Hill” alum. The discussion was led by a panel of experts including clinical psychologist and children's author, Dr. Regine Muradian, and Kumar Sokka, global president & general manager, LenelS2, who provided their insights on how to best approach the topic of school security with children and administrators.

“LenelS2 recognizes a parent's priority is to keep their child safe,” said Sokka. “Unfortunately, many parents don’t know where to begin when it comes to starting a candid conversation about school safety. We’ve developed On the Safe Side to help provide parents and schools with the tools they need to have these hard conversations, and ultimately, propel a safer school experience for all children. We’re committed to helping provide a safe environment for everyone.”

LenelS2’s advanced security solutions are deployed in K-12 schools and universities across the U.S. To further bolster the safety of educational institutions, the company said it will donate a security system to a district in need  and is offering special pricing and discounts available to K-12 schools nationally through the end of September 2024.

For more information about the On the Safe Side program and view the awareness video, go here.