School Safety
12 Things You Can Do To Make Your School Safe
1.Refuse to bring a weapon to school, and refuse to carry a weapon for another. Refuse to keep silent about those who carry weapons.
2.Report any crime immediately to school authorities or police.
3.Report suspicious or worrisome behavior or talk by other students to a teacher or counselor at school.
4.Learn how to manage your own anger effectively. Find ways to settle arguments by talking it out, working it out, or walking away rather than fighting.
5.Help others to settle disputes peaceably. Start or join a peer mediation program.
6.Set up a kid/teen court in which youth serve as judge, prosecutor, and defense council.
7.Become a peer counselor, working with classmates who need support and help with problems.
8.Mentor a young student.
9.Start a school crime watch. Consider including a student patrol that keeps an eye on corridors, parking, and groups. Also, provide a way for students to report concerns anonymously.
10.Ask each student activity or club to adopt an anti-violence theme.
11.Welcome new students and help them feel at at home in your school.
12.Start (or sign up for) a "peace pledge" campaign in which students promise to settle disagreements without violence. Try for 100% participation.
Also, discourage name-calling and teasing. These can easily get out of hand, moving all to quickly from "just words" to fists, knives, and even firearms. Say "no" to bullies and to get adult help with the situation need be. Take classes on personal protection.
You can learn more by checking with your library, a school counselor, the pediatrician, mental health association, neighborhood dispute resolution center, or visit www.ncpc.com.