A press conference and dialogue on the future of school safety will be held tomorrow, Friday, April 30, 1999, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Walt Whitman High School by U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley.

Designed to raise public awareness about the need for improved school safety nationally -- in the wake of last week's incident in Colorado -- the event will include students, teachers, and parents from the school and invited guests from local and national organizations involved in education, parent advocacy, local government, mental health intervention, and school security and safety.

Discussion will focus on ways in which schools and communities can work together to address issues of school safety, violence, and related concerns. Mr. Kevin Dwyer, president of the National Association of School Psychologists, will facilitate a discussion on early warning signs of student behavior prior to remarks by Secretary Riley.