Potential for incidents of school violence
from GLENN BERRY, Ed.D., Director, Missouri Center for Safe Schools, UMKC School of Education, Kansas City, Missouri
Temperature isn’t the only thing that changes with the onset of spring. This time of year also brings increased risk for outbreaks of school violence:
Columbine—April 20
Virginia Tech—April 16
Jonesboro, AR—March 24
Springfield, OR— May 21
Lake Worth, FL—May 26
El Cajon, CA—March 22
Red Lake, MN—March 22
Here are measures to consider enacting to raise awareness among staff and students:
1. INCREASE SUPERVISION AND VISIBILITY OF SCHOOL PERSONNEL
2. PROVIDE INFORMATION ON STRESS AND ANXIETY TO STAFF, PARENTS AND STUDENTS
3. CONDUCT CLASSROOM MEETINGS TO DISCUSS SCHOOL SAFETY
4. STRENGTHEN POLICIES REGARDING BULLYING AND HARASSMENT REVIEW
5. STRENGTHEN THREAT ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES AND PROTOCOLS