1 / 18

Violence Prevention and Safe Schools

Violence Prevention and Safe Schools. We’re all in it together. Presented by: Mary Ann Clark Assistant Professor Department of Counselor Education 1215 Norman Hall University of Florida Gainesville, Florida. A Changing World.

marli
Download Presentation

Violence Prevention and Safe Schools

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Violence Prevention and Safe Schools We’re all in it together

  2. Presented by:Mary Ann ClarkAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Counselor Education1215 Norman HallUniversity of FloridaGainesville, Florida

  3. A Changing World • Growing population of students at risk for school violence, harassment, mental health problems, school failure • Rate of juvenile violent crime, including assault and battery has increased in the 90s • Teens are victims of crime more frequently than any other age group • Many students fear for their safety • Police based in many schools

  4. School Failure as a Contributing Factor... • Poverty • Substance Abuse • Child Abuse/Neglect • Family Instability • Domestic Violence • Inadequate Child Care

  5. Identification of Students with Mental Health Problems • 22% of children and adolescents have mental health issues needing treatment • fewer than 20% get it • counselors’ role may involve direct intervention, consultation or referral

  6. Social withdrawal Expressing excessive feelings of rejection Expression of violence in writings and drawings these should be brought to the attention of a team-call in parents Patterns of impulsive and chronic hitting, bullying, intimidating behaviors feelings of persecution Uncontrolled anger expressed frequently and intensely in response to minor irritations Warning Signs of Potential Violence

  7. Signs of Potential Dangerous and Violent Behavior • Acting out, threatening to hurt or kill (“terroristic threatening”) • Personality changes with acting out behavior • Increase in alcohol/drug usage • Becoming increasingly upset about being teased/bullied

  8. Four Aspects to Consider • Frequency-how often does this behavior occur? • Duration-how long has it been going on? • Intensity • Affect-the emotions involved-are they appropriate? (remorse, etc.)

  9. The Administrators’ Role • Set the tone for the school (Priority Issue) • Positive place to be-good for all students • safety issues-clear on rules and regulations-all have their roles and responsibilities • anti-harassment policy • follow through with consequences for offenders • Foster appropriate community connections-encourage parent involvement • Support counselors and teachers in classroom efforts on safety/anti-violence • provide release time and resources for inservice training

  10. Help establish network to identify at risk students Leadership role on safety team-with adm. identify needs specify safe school goals develop/implement safe school plans Collaborate on school crisis plans Classroom Guidance Activities skills for character, citizenship, safe schools, anger management, problem-solving, pro-social skills K-12 curriculum The Counselors’ Role

  11. Be vigilant to students’ concerns Report worrisome behavior to administrator/ counselor/parent Have classroom discussions on safety/violence issues Follow up classroom guidance sessions Help promote caring and respectful school environment no tolerance of bullying and harassment help promote effective communication The Teachers’ Role

  12. The Parents’ Role • “Parental involvement is key to raising responsible and resourceful youth” • Communicate with school personnel about your children • Support school rules and regulations • Ask for help when needed

  13. The Students’ Role • Be responsible for upholding school rules • Tell a school adult if another’s actions and words seem suspicious • Help maintain a caring and respectful school environment • Stand up for others who may seem victimized

  14. The Community’s Role • Provide facilities and activities for children and families (inc. after school programs) • Support missions of the schools • financial-funding • volunteer work in schools (businesses can provide release time) • mentoring of students

  15. Collaborative Interventions: Creating a Safety Net • Zero Tolerance programs: “This is not allowed in our school” • Conflict Resolution, Peer Mediation • Crisis Intervention Guides • Anti-Harassment Policies

  16. And More... • Inservice with teachers and parents • Surveys on bullying-use information to plan • Form “At Risk Network”-mental health counselors, psychologists, school people, etc.

  17. It’s OK to Tell! • Parents, Teachers, Students should be encouraged to report suspicious behavior • If someone may be contemplating doing harm to self or others, it needs to be told-don’t ignore warning signs. • We all need to work to protect one another • Parents need support in working with troubled children-Try to avoid blaming if possible

  18. We can each make a difference!

More Related