Safeguarding Our Children offers practical tips for designing
and implementing school safety plans to reduce violence and help children
get the services they need.
FOCUS ON STUDENT-TEACHER RELATIONSHIPS
One basic recommendation the new manual makes is to get children the
help they need before it is too late and make sure each child in the school
is known well by at least one adult. "A big part of school safety is personalizing
our schools and developing strong and close relationships between adults
and students," said Scott Poland, newly elected president of the National
Association of School Psychologists, who contributed to the manual. "I
truly believe school safety is an inside job.
"I'm not opposed to cops and metal detectors in schools, but we need
to focus on relationships between teachers and kids," Poland explained
to Education World. Poland said little has changed to improve adult-child
relationships since the Columbine High School tragedy in April 1999.
Safeguarding Our Children emphasizes much of what Poland recommends.
According to the guidebook, 80 percent of problem behavior can be prevented
if a school-wide foundation creates groups within schools to foster a
safe and caring school environment that makes all members feel connected
and supported. Laying the groundwork is essential to fostering positive
discipline, academic success, and mental and emotional wellness.
THREE-STAGE STRATEGY
The strategies in the manual stress a three-stage model that includes
prevention, early intervention, and intensive services to address school
safety needs. None of the strategies can be accomplished without a combined
team effort involving teachers, mental health professionals, law enforcement
officials, parents, and students.
Early intervention is an important part of the model. School staff and
community members need to know the early warning signs, especially with
the 10 to 15 percent of children identified as being at risk for severe
academic or behavioral problems. The guidebook recommends that warning
signs be used to identify at-risk kids for referral purposes to help ensure
quick and appropriate response.
Getting troubled students immediate help is the last part of the model.
The manual explains how schools can develop comprehensive, school-based
mental health programs, special education and related services, alternative
programs and schools, and other wraparound services.
In the guide's introduction, Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley
and Attorney General Janet Reno warn school staff and communities to be
cautious when using the early warning signs so children are not stigmatized,
which they say would be counterproductive and harmful.
Safe
and Drug Free Schools Program This Department of Education site
provides offers information about government initiatives and grants
for a wide range of school- and community-based education and prevention
activities.
Guide
Helps Schools Guard Against Violence