BISD School Safety and Violence Prevention

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BISD School Safety and Violence Prevention

• Making Schools Safer
• A Parent and School Connection

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• Students learn best and achieve their full
  potential in safe and orderly classrooms. This
  positive academic environment begins with safe
  families and safe communities.

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• Parents Do You Know Whats In Your Childs
  Backpack?

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Parents Do You Know Whats In Your Childs
Backpack?

• Backpacks have numerous compartments that are
  hiding places for many items.
• Recent studies showed innocent looking school
  supplies may not be school supplies at all.
• Pseudo school supplies such as pens and
  highlighters may be used to hide marijuana,
  drugs, knives, blades, etc.
• Gutted textbooks can also be disguised to hide
  weapons or drugs.
• Students may take weapons to school to show off
  or to protect themselves if they feel they are
  being bullied or threatened.

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What can parents do?

• Examine your childs backpack on a regular basis.
• Open and look through all backpack compartments
• Inspect all school supplies such as pens,
  highlighters, and markers, etc.
• Check through the textbooks, binders, and folders
• Look for items that may be concealed in school
  supply bags, make-up bags, clothing articles,
  shoes, etc.

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What can parents do to helpcreate safe schools?

• Listen to and talk with your children regularly.
  Create an opportunity for two-way conversation on
  a daily basis.
• Set clear limits on behaviors in advance.
  Discuss punishments and rewards in advance.
• Act as role models. Settle your own conflicts
  without violence.

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What can parents do to help create safe schools?

• Communicate clearly on the violence issue.
  Discuss what violence is and is not. Explain that
  you dont accept and wont tolerate violent
  behavior.
• Help your children learn how to examine and find
  solutions to problems. Kids who know how to
  approach a problem and resolve it effectively are
  less likely to be angry, frustrated or violent.
  Take advantage of teachable moments.
• Supervise your children. Know where they are at
  and what they are doing.

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What can parents do to help create safe schools?

• Be safe Recognize that keeping guns in your home
  may put you at legal risk as well as expose you
  and your family to physical harm. If you do
  choose to keep guns at home, ensure that they are
  securely locked, that ammunition is locked and
  stored separately, and that children know weapons
  are never to be touched without your supervision.

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What can parents do to helpcreate safe schools?

• Note any disturbing behaviors in your child. For
  example, frequent angry outbursts, excessive
  fighting and bullying of other children, cruelty
  to animals, fire settings, frequent behavior
  problems at school and in the neighborhood, lack
  of friends, and alcohol or drug use can be signs
  of serious problems. Get help for your child.
  Talk with an administrator or counselor at school
  immediately.

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What can parents do to helpcreate safe schools?

• Discourage name-calling and teasing. These
  behaviors often escalate into fights or violence.
  Whether the teaser is violent or not, the victim
  may see violence as the only way to stop it.
• Make it clear that you support school policies
  and rules that help create and sustain a safe
  place for all students to learn.
• Take an active role in your childs school. Talk
  regularly with teachers and staff.

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• Students whose families are involved in their
  growth in and outside of school are more likely
  to experience school success and less likely to
  become involved in anti-social activities.
  Everyone must be committed to improving schools.
  
• Thank you for your support!

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Resources

• National Crime Prevention Council- www.ncpc.org
• National Education Association-
  www.nea.org/schoolsafety
• www.talkingwithkids.org/violence
• www.ed.gov/offices