Presented by:Luke WatersTodd OlsonAndy StraujaRuthanne Newman

Weapons and Violence in Our Schools

Background of the ProblemSince 1992, > 40 schools w/multiple-victim

killings: Cold Springs, MN –15 yr. old shot & killed two

classmates because of teasing Fresno, CA – 17 yr. old attacked police officer

with a bat. Officer then shot & killed student. VA Tech – Student killed 32 people Finland

22 yr. old posted video “Jokela High School Massacre”

Police lacked evidence to revoke gun license He later shot & killed 10 people at school.International Association of Chiefs of Police,

“Guide for preventing & responding to school violence, 2nd ed.” 2009.

Statistics for Violence In Our Schools

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (March,

2011)

Age of Violent Crimes

How Many Weapons Am I Carrying?

Let’s See Who Was Right!

Violence: Risk Factors and Impact to Education

Have higher risk of depression and anxiety Have increased thoughts about suicide. Are more likely to have health complaints.  Have decreased academic achievement

(GPA and standardized test scores) and school participation.

Are more likely to miss, skip, or drop out of school.

Are more likely to retaliate through extremely violent measures.

Center for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/youthviolence/index/html

Warning Signs: How To ID Troubled Students

Antisocial Adopts “Extremist Views” Hopelessness – “End of the World”

philosophy Abuse at home / little supervision Interest or Involvement in Gangs

and/or Substance Abuse

How To Inform Students

Invite Safety Officer as a guest speaker to share about weapons that have been found, what is considered a weapon, and the consequences for possessing a weapon

Work with Safety Officer to sponsor a “Turn In Weapon – No Questions Asked” program with local Police Department

Create a “What Would You Do?” handout for informing students of how to report someone who has a weapon, or is threatening others

Lesson – Role Play Violence Prevention

7th / 8th Grade -- Injury Prevention and Safety, Standard 1: Essential Concepts

1.2.S Explain how witnesses and bystanders can help prevent violence by reporting dangerous situations.

1.3.S Describe how the presence of weapons increases the risk of serious violent injuries.

1.4.S Discuss the importance of reporting weapon possession.

1.5.S Explain how violence, aggression, bullying, and harassment affect health and safety.

Lesson Plan:In English class, teacher provides several articles

on school violence, recognizing warning signs and how to report concerns to adults.

Students read the articles, research on the web & library, and then write a 5-10 minute play. The play will enact a potentially violent situation at school and provide a non-violent way for the students to prevent it. The teacher will review first drafts and provide guidance to encouraged an appropriate solution prior to performance.

Local Resources

o Riverside County Gang Task Forcehttp://riversidectf.org

o Riverside County Department of Social Serviceshttp://dpss.co.riverside.ca.us/FamilyResource.aspx

o Riverside Sheriff Crime and Preventionhttp://www.riversidesheriff.org/crime/protect-juvenile.asp

Summary Threat of violence in schools can deter

learning

Reduce weapons, but more importantly empower students with knowledge of how to defuse threatening behavior. Recognize warning signs Communicate with adults Pursue conflict resolution with peers