Transcript Weapons in Our Schools - Dr. Tamerin Capellino

WEAPONS AND VIOLENCE
IN THE SCHOOL
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, 2nd ed.” 2009.
Statistics for Violence In Our
Schools
 57% of public elementary and secondary school
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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)
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
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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 nonviolent 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
http://riversidectf.org
o Riverside County Department of Social
Services
http://dpss.co.riverside.ca.us/FamilyResource
.aspx
o Riverside Sheriff Crime and Prevention
http://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