Eight gold medals in an Olympics? How about 10 titanium safety awards in a row! The Utica National Insurance Group has presented Chatham Central School District with its School Safety Excellence Award at the Titanium with Honors level, the insurer’s highest honor for school safety. The award is presented annually and recognizes school districts’ safety efforts as they work to keep students, staff, and visitors safe. 2022 marks Chatham’s tenth year in a row earning the Titanum level award!
Chatham business administrator Michael Chudy accepted the award on behalf of our District during Utica National's 40th annual school safety seminar held in Saratoga Springs on March 31. The award includes a framed certificate commemorating our District's commitment to safety and $500 for use in furthering our efforts.
"Safety and health concerns continue to be a priority in our school districts," explained Brian Saville, Senior Vice President in Utica National's Educational Institutions Unit. “Districts that go above and beyond to provide a safe, healthy and focused culture for learning are to be applauded, and we’re pleased to count Chatham Central Schools District among them.”
Chatham is one of 145 school districts and Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York State to receive Utica National’s “School Safety Excellence Award” for 2022. Schools can earn meritorious distinction at three levels - gold, platinum, and titanium - by meeting specific criteria to enhance overall school safety. Schools are evaluated in categories such as transportation, bullying prevention programs, playground safety, and other areas using specific, quantifiable surveys.
Utica National has helped keep kids and school staff safe for over 45 years and currently insures more than 300 school districts in upstate New York alone.
The insurer has recognized Chatham with its Titanium level award each year since 2013, and its Platinum level award in 2012.
On the cover of "Chatham Illustrated" non-magazine, school business administrator Michael Chudy sports Chatham’s titanium School Safety Excellence awards from present and past years. (Yes, we know there are only seven in the picture. We found that, unlike gold medals worn by, say, Michael Phelps, framed certificates don't fit so well around the neck!)