The following list is information, documents, and links to very informative guides pertaining to key individual subjects and issues for school safety. This resource is meant for law enforcement, teachers, school administration, parents, and kids.
Bullying
Bullying is an immense problem in schools throughout the globe. Yet, with a system of support and adult intervention bullying can be stopped. Bullying is when a person takes unfair advantage of another individual. There is usually an imbalance of power between the bully and the victim where the bully uses physical, social, or emotional power to abuse the victim. Most incidents of bullying are reoccurring behavioral patterns. Everybody has an opportunity and responsibility to address bullying. Below are links to documents that discuss what bullying is, who is the bully and the victim, and how to erratic it from the educational system.
Links:
So What is Bullying?
Bullying in Schools: Fighting the Bully Battle (Bully Fact Sheet Series, National School Safety Center)(.pdf)
Bullying in Schools: Fighting the Bully Battle (Discussion Activities for School Communities, National School Safety Center)(.pdf)
Bully in Schools: Talking with Hilda About Bullying(.pdf)
Federal Bureau of Investigation Bullying Guide(.pdf)
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Cyber Bullying
With the growth of technology, children and teens have more readily available access to the internet. On the internet children and teens use tools such as instant messaging, e-mail, blogs, and other networking sites to communicate with each other. Out of the internet revolution has came cyber bullying. Cyber bullying is an emotional and social form of bullying that hurts individuals and can even lead to suicide. According to an ISAFE survey of 1500 middle school students 42% were bullied, 58% has had hurtful or angry things said to them, and 53% admitted to saying hurtful or angry things to someone online.
Links and documents:
iSafe - Internet Safety Education
Delete Cyber Bullying
The Silent Tormentor(.pdf)
Cyber Bullying For Kids!
McGruffs.org - Cyber Bullying Education for Kids!
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Gangs
For many years the word "gang" has stricken fear into the parents of teens and other children. According to the "Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2007" published by the National Center for Educational Statistics and the Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2005, 24% of students 6th through 12 grades nationwide reported a gang presence at their school. "Gangs are organized groups often involved in drugs, weapons trafficking, and violence (Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2007, 28)." It should be note that simply being involved in a gang is not illegal unless the gang participates in criminal activities such as theft, assault, or even murder.
Links and Documents:
Milstein Child Safety Center
2005 National Gang Threat Assessment(.pdf)
A Comprehensive Response to America's Youth Gang Problem(.pdf)
Gang Suppression and Intervention Problem and Response(.pdf)
Wipe Out Vandalism and Graffiti(.pdf)
Modern Day Youth Gangs(.pdf)
Preventing Adolescent Gang Involvement(.pdf)
Federal Bureau of Investigation Violent Gangs Information
Federal Bureau of Investigation Gang Toolkit
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Internet Safety
The Internet has grown to be one of the greatest tools available. Its vast databases of knowledge make it an ease for exchanging vital information. However, the ease of access to the Internet has provided criminals with a new venue for criminal activities such as internet predators and identity theft.
IKeepSafe Internet Safety Coalition - includes games and information for children and parents about internet safety.
NetzSmartz Workshop -Provided by the National Center For Missing & Exploited Children.
Federal Bureau of Investigation K-5th Grade Internet Safety Tips
Federal Bureau of Investigation - A Parents Guide To Internet Safety
The Polly Klass Foundation
The Polly Klass Foundation Free Tool Kit(.pdf)
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Suicide
Suicide is a growing trend among students nationwide. In Missouri 14.8 percent of 9th through 12th grade students have seriously considered suicide; while 8 percent actually attempted to kill themselves (Center For Disease Control and Prevention).
Links and Documents:
Center For Disease Control and Prevention - Suicide Prevention Guide
Preventing Suicide Network
American Academy of Pediatrics - Preventing Teen Suicide
Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program
KidsHealth for parents
Teen Suicide
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The Choking Game
The Choking Game is an act of intentional suffocating to achieve a high without the use of drugs or alcohol. Each year thousands of kids suffer serious brain damage or even death after participating in this activity. The Choking Game can be played by one or two persons. When a single individual attempts the chocking game he or she may attempt to use a pillow to suffocate and hands or a rope to choke themselves until they pass out. When two individuals attempt the choking game one person chokes the other until they pass out. Unfortunately, many times this activity ends with severe health problems and even death. Take steps today to stop your children from taking part in this deadly game.
GASP - Games Adolescents Shouldn't Play
Center for Disease Control and Prevention - Risky Youth Behavior
The DB Foundation - Dangerous Adolescent Behavior Education
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Drug Abuse
Drugs are readily available to students throughout our primary, secondary, and higher educational institutions. Drugs have become widely used by students and many times lead to other criminal actions.
Links and Documents:
ACTmissouri - Taking action for healthy, drug free communities.
Partnership For A Drug-Free America
Missouri Youth Adult Alliance
Missouri Recovery Network
Missouri Methamphetamine Awareness Project
Drug Enforcement Agency Missouri Fact Sheet
Missouri Access To Recovery
Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)(.pdf)
Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools
Drug Prevention Lesson Plans For Educators
Arizona Attorney General Website For Teens
Instructor Lesson Plans
Foundation For A Drug Free World
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School Violence
Most schools offer a safe environment for students to excel in their studies. However, understanding the warning signs and contributing factors that lead to violence may help to end the violence that does occur. The following guides will help you understand the causes of violence.
Stop Violence Early Warning Guide
Missouri School Violence Hotline
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