School Violence

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School Violence
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Violence

• The act of purposefully hurting someone.
• Violence
• An expression or release of feelings such as
  anger or frustration.
• A way of controlling others to get something they
  want.
• Learned behavior that can be changed.

3
Characteristics to Look For

• Name calling, cursing and abusive language.
• Violent threats when angry.
• Bringing a weapon to school.
• Background of serious disciplinary problems.
• Background of drug or alcohol abuse.

4
Characteristics to Look For (continued)

• Few or no close friends.
• Preoccupation with weapons, explosives or
  incendiary devices.
• Display of cruelty to animals.
• Being a victim of or witnessing neglect or abuse
  at home.
• Bullying or intimidating peers or younger
  children.

5
Characteristics to Look For (continued)

• Blaming others for difficulties and problems.
• Preference of TV shows, reading materials,
  movies, etc. with violent themes.
• Reflections of anger or frustration in writing.
• Involvement with gangs or other antisocial groups.

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Characteristics to Look For (continued)

• Frequent depression and display of significant
  mood swings.
• Threats or attempts to commit suicide.
• Tantrums and uncontrollable angry outbursts.
• National School Safety Center

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When You Recognize Violent Behavior

• Be safe.
• Tell someone you trust about your concerns.
• If necessary, get someone to protect you.
• Dont resort to violence to protect yourself.
• Ask a professional for help.

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Anger and Violence

• Anger is a part of life, but you can free
  yourself from the cycle of violence by learning
  to talk about your feelings.
• Be strong.
• Be safe.
• Be cool.

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Violence Quiz
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CDC Statistics 1997

• 8.3 of high school students carried a weapon.
• 5.9 of high school students carried a gun.
• 4 of students missed school because they felt
  unsafe.

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CDC Statistics 1997 (continued)

• 14.8 of students had been in a physical fight on
  school property.
• 32.9 of students nationwide had property stolen
  or deliberately damaged at school.

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CDC Statistics 1996-1997

• 4,000 incidents of rape
• 11,000 incidents of physical attack with a weapon
• 7,000 robberies
• 190,000 fights
• 115,000 thefts
• 98,000 incidents of vandalism

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Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990

• School zone 1,000 ft. from school grounds
• Possession and discharge of weapon punishable by
  5,000 and imprisonment not more than five years,
  or both.
• Exceptions?

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Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994

• Improvement to 1990 Act
• Requires expulsion for not less than one year of
  any student bringing a weapon to school.
• Exception by chief administering officer of local
  educational agency on case-by-case basis.

15
School Weapons Policy

• Specify the weapons or types of weapons or other
  objects prohibited.
• State any exceptions
• Knives in the kitchen
• ROTC
• Etc.

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School Weapons Policy (continued)

• Specify physical areas covered.
• Specify either mandatory or discretionary
  reporting requirements of staff and students to
  school and law enforcement.
• Establish a Zero Tolerance policy?
• What sanctions? (If not imposed by law,)
• Provide for appeal.

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School Weapons Policy (continued)

• Will a child be allowed or obligated to make up
  work missed during the suspension?
• Usually violations of the weapons policy will
  also violate state law and will include criminal
  prosecution.
• What about criminal prosecution of parents who
  aided or permitted a child to violate the policy?

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Lockdown Procedures

• There is an intruder in the building, please
  institute lockdown.