Safety & Security Hot Topic Presentation Alexandra Taravella, Cameron Filas, Renee Vigil, Russ Good

Safety & Security

Safe and Secure Environment What is a safe and secure learning environment? An environment where students feel physically, emotionally and socially safe. A positive school environment promotes: High level learning, increases student motivation, and produces higher level of academic achievement. Students who are victims of violence are less likely to attend school and feel less connected and engaged at school.

School Violence Different types of violence: Hitting, punching, bullying, gang violence, assault (with or without weapons) Risk Factors that influence school violence: Prior history of violence Drug, alcohol or tobacco use Association with delinquent peers Family Issues Poor grades Poverty in the community

Statistics (2011-2012 School Year) School Violence Statistics (2011-2012 School Year) 31 school associated violent deaths 1,364,900 nonfatal victimizations at school 615,600 Thefts 749,200 Violent Victimizations 89,000 Serious Violent Victimizations 7% of teachers reported being threatened or physical attacked by a student at their school 20% of students reported the presence of gangs at their schools.

School Violence How to prevent school violence: Friendly teachers and staff Quality school buildings Establish a quality relationship with students Expand school programs: counseling, anger management, peer mediation Hallway scanning between classes and after school First week of school presentation

What is Cyberbullying? Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place through technology items like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Usually happens online on social medias like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Cyberbullying can include mean text messages, rumors spread on social medias, embarrassing videos or pictures on social medias, and fake profiles.

How Cyberbullying is Different? It can happen all day every day. The bullying does not go away when they leave school and go home; it follows them. Things that are posted to social media can be spread to a wide audience very quickly. Once something has been posted or sent people have already seen, and deleting it doesn’t change that people still saw it.

Effects of Cyberbullying Alcohol and drug use Skipping school Experience in person bullying Receive poor grade Low self esteem More health problems

Why Do Kids Bully? The bully may lack attention from a parent and lashes out for the attention. It is a behavior that they picked up and learned at  home which means it can be unlearned They might be bullied by a parent, teacher, coach, or older siblings.

Kids Who Are Bullied Should Just Speak Up Kids might find it hard to speak up because they are scared of what will happen if they do speak up. Maybe who ever they tell won’t do anything about it. They might be embarrassed that they are getting picked on. They don’t want to be seen as a tattle tale,and it could get worse if the bully finds out that their victim told someone about it.

Helping Stop Bullying and Cyberbullying Parents can teach their kids appropriate online behavior. Parents can also keep the family computer in a place that is not so private, and check kids cellphones. Teach kids tolerance, kindness, and acceptance. As teachers we can tell students that our doors are always open, and they can come to us if they have a problem. Discuss differences in height, weight, culture, and disabilities. Let them know that they are safe, and try to help.

Teen Suicide What percentage of high school students are at risk of committing suicide? 37% of students have reported seriously considering suicide, reported creating a plan, or reported trying to take their own life

Youth Suicide Statistics Suicide is the third leading cause of death amongst youth in America behind accidents and homicides. Girls think about and attempt suicide about twice as often as boys, and girls tend to attempt suicide by overdosing on drugs or cutting themselves. Boys die by suicide about four times as much as girls, perhaps because they tend to use more lethal methods, such as firearms, hanging, or jumping from heights.

Suicide Factors 81% of suicide deaths in the youth population are males whereas 19% are females. Native Americans and Hispanic students are more likely to commit suicide. Students who are bullied are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide.

Suicide Factors Cont. a history of previous suicide attempts family history of suicide history of depression or other mental illness alcohol or drug abuse stressful life event or loss easy access to lethal methods exposure to the suicidal behavior of others incarceration

Teachers Responsibility Teachers are often the only outlet that students may feel they have and therefore they carry a great responsibility of helping to prevent teen suicide. Report students who are at risk. Save a life.

School Security

School Security

School Security is a Societal Issue Access control, security, SRO, vigilant staff Communication with students Involve parents and community

For More Information

Now What? What have you learned that you can implement in your future classrooms? How can you help prevent: School Violence Bullying/Cyberbullying Suicide How can you help improve: School Security