Responding to Parent and Community Concerns About Actual and Threatened School Violence: Suggestions for School Staff

INTRODUCTION

In the wake of incidents of violence in schools, you may have questions regarding the safety of your own school. Community members and parents in particular want some reassurance that their schools are safe. While no school is immune from a tragedy, this is a good time to highlight for parents the policies, practice, programs, and services that are in place to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES

Communicate with parents and the broader community about policies and practices your school district has in place to help assure the safety of all students. These may include policies and practices regarding weapons, drugs, fighting, harassment, and related issues.

PROGRAMS
Schools in Wisconsin have a strong history of addressing issues that impact the health and safety of our students. Because of this, most districts have in place programs that aim to reduce the range of behaviors that place students at risk. Examples of such programs include:

• Advisor/Advisee programs
• Student Assistance Programs
• Anger management groups
• Peer mediation

CRISIS RESPONSE PLAN
Communicate with parents regarding your crisis response plan. Make sure that you have such a plan and that ALL staff members are aware of it (if this is not the case, schedule training and inservices regarding the plan as soon as possible). Schedule frequent times to revisit the details of your plan and revise as necessary. Invite parents and community members to be part of groups working on the creation or revision of crisis response plans. In the wake of the school shootings in the 1997-98 school year, many resources were developed to assist schools in maintaining a safe school environment. One particularly helpful resource is Early Warning Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools, a publication of the U.S. Department of Education. This resource was distributed to all schools, but additional copies are available on the Internet at http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP/earlywrn.html

The Early Warning Timely Response guide details characteristics of safe schools. Prevention, intervention, and crisis response strategies are most effective in school communities which:

• Focus on academic achievement
• Involve families in meaningful ways
• Develop links to the community
• Emphasize positive relationships among students and staff
• Discuss safety issues openly
• Treat all students with respect
• Create ways for students to share their concerns
• Help children feel safe expressing their feelings
• Have in place a system for referring children who are suspected of being abused or neglected
• Offer extended day programs for children
• Promote good citizenship and character
• Identify problems and assess progress toward solutions
• Support students in making the transition to adult life and the workplace

Schools can use these characteristics to highlight programs or strategies in each area that demonstrate for parents and community members how they are providing a comprehensive program which contributes to the health, safety, and well being of ALL students. It can also be used as a way to identify areas in which the school community needs to continue to focus and improve.

Crises such as those that have occurred recently provide opportunities to examine the school environment. Look for ways to strengthen or establish positive relationships among staff and students. Be especially alert for harassment or hateful speech and behavior and take steps to eliminate or minimize it. Engage the entire school community in such efforts.

Recognize and communicate that even with a positive school environment and many policies, practices, programs, and services in place, we cannot assume that violence in our communities will not carry over into our schools. Encourage all to be alert for early warning signs and to communicate them immediately to appropriate authorities.

When a crisis like this occurs, open communication between the school and community members, parents in particular, is key. Particularly during the crisis, have an open door policy and encourage discussion of concerns and fears. This is particularly key for administrators who have the ability to make school-wide and district-wide decisions that affect the safety of all students. Be human; let them know that you are afraid too. It is only through thoughtful dialogue and planning that together we will begin to find solutions.

Karen Wydeven, a former Consultant for School Psychology Services at the Department of Public Instruction, adapted from "Disaster: Helping Children Cope: A Handout for Parents," a chapter in Helping Children at Home and School: Handouts from your School Psychologist. 1998, National Association of School Psychologists.

For questions about this information, contact Steven A. Fernan (608) 266-3889

Last updated on 2/22/2008 8:00:34 AM