Presented by: Luke Waters Todd Olson Andy Strauja Ruthanne Newman

Weapons and Violence in Our Schools

Background of the Problem Since 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, 2 nd ed.” 2009.

Statistics for Violence In Our Schools  57% of public elementary and secondary school principals stated that one or more incidents of crime or violence were reported to the police  10% of all public schools had one or more serious violent crimes (murder, rape, sexual battery, suicide, physical attack or fight with a weapon, or robbery)  The most reported crime was physical attacks or fights without a weapon  Most of the serious violent crimes occurred in the middle and high schools  A larger percentage of violent crimes occurred in city schools and in large schools (over 1000 students).  U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics(NCES) U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics(NCES)

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Center for Disease Control and Prevention (March, 2011)

Age of Violent Crimes

How Many Weapons Am I Carrying?

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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:

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 7 th / 8 th 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 Force o Riverside County Department of Social Services o Riverside Sheriff Crime and Prevention -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