Violence In Our Schools

Private schools are close-knit communities. Trust is what binds them together. So it is a bit chilling in light of the Littleton shootings to hear the self righteous refrain from private school educators: "It could never happen in our school..." Oh yes, it certainly could! Are you ready if it does?

So, whether your school is day or boarding, whether it goes to Grade 12 or only goes to Grade 8, whether it is in Connecticut or Hawaii or anywhere in between, please, I implore you, take school shootings seriously.

There's plenty of help and food for thought in the following links. Use them as a starting point for your strategic plan. Above all, make sure administrators and teachers see them.

Checklist of Characteristics of Youth Who Have Caused School-Associated Violent Deaths
The National School Safety Center offers this list. Compare the characteristics with those of the children who caused the Littleton shootings.

A Guide to Safe Schools
"Offers research-based practices designed to assist school communities identify these warning signs early and develop prevention, intervention and crisis response plans."

CyberAngels KidsReportline
"The largest Internet safety program, since 1995"

American Psychological Association's HelpCenter
"APA and MTV have...co-produced this "Warning Signs" guide that will further help young people recognize when a classmate or friend might be a potential danger to themselves or others."

Keep Schools Safe
The National Association of Attorneys General and The National School Boards Association joint initiative "to address the escalating problem of youth violence occurring across our country."

Coping With Violence
Family Education Network's advice on how to communicate with your youth about violence.

National Education Association's Safe Schools Resources
A series of Action Sheets with links to an assortment of useful studies, reports and articles.

If you know of additional links, please share them with us all. I will gladly post them on my School Safety page.

Be sure to visit the Private Schools Forum before you leave! Did you sign up for your copy of the Private Schools Newsletter? It's a weekly, offering new links and much more of interest to parents, teachers, administrators and students! Read it online too.
 

--Rob Kennedy, Private Schools Guide