So, whether your school is day or boarding, whether it goes to Grade 12 or only goes to Grade 8, whether it is in Connecticut or Hawaii or anywhere in between, please, I implore you, take school shootings seriously.
There's plenty of help and food for thought in the following links. Use them as a starting point for your strategic plan. Above all, make sure administrators and teachers see them.
Checklist of Characteristics of Youth Who Have Caused School-Associated Violent Deaths
From the National School Safety Center. Compare the characteristics with those of the children who caused the Littleton shootings.
A Guide to Safe Schools
"Offers research-based practices designed to assist school communities identify these warning signs early and develop prevention, intervention and crisis response plans."
CyberAngels
"The largest Internet safety program, since 1995"
American Psychological Association
"APA and MTV have...co-produced this "Warning Signs" guide that will further help young people recognize when a classmate or friend might be a potential danger to themselves or others."
Keep Schools Safe
The National Association of Attorneys General and The National School Boards Association joint initiative "to address the escalating problem of youth violence occurring across our country."
Coping With Violence
Family Education Network's advice on how to communicate with your youth about violence.
National Education Association's Safe Schools Resources
A series of Action Sheets with links to an assortment of useful studies, reports and articles.
