Peaceful Schools...

an oxymoron or a real possibility? I feel driven to write about this after fighting broke out in one of our local high schools after a "drug free" schools presentation attempted by our Chief of Police. And it seems, from all reports that this is not a exception in our local school buildings in particular middle school/high schools. There have been all kinds of reasons (excuses) given from lack of parent involvement, to kids who have moved in from other districts and cities. However, there are true underlying reasons for violence: lack of resources both emotional and physical. Young people living in low income areas are, generally speaking, fairly fatalistic in regards to their future. When you talk to young people about where they see themselves after high school...many of them don't. They "don't" see themselves. So talk of how they will wind up in prison or themselves living in poverty unless...is a go nowhere conversation (or more likely a lecture). There is also an underlying fear amongst teachers in inner city schools and many come to school each day dreading the hallway chaos and the possible spill over to their classes. The schools are in a state of disrepair which translates to the student a sense of disregard for them and the rights that they have to clean, well-maintained buildings and grounds. I have some ideas:

1. Address the issues of school violence without blame.
When we blame, we tend to "throw out" the students who are involved in specific incidents sending them off to alternative schools where we can then isolate the culture of violence in one building.
2. When seeking solutions, long and short-term, involve the students. Students want to feel safe in their school, just as much as the adults. The students know more than the adults; they know more because they live the life in and out of school.
3. Really involve the students; give them a role that is real, not just on paper, not just to appease. Incorporate student input into the plans.
4. A culture of respect needs to permeate the schools. Respect goes both ways...but the adults set the pattern.
5. Respond quickly and CONSISTENTLY to disregard for rules. Rules which are not only posted, but talked about on a regular basis AND reviewed with students input.
6.Give up punitive reaction to infringement of rules. They don't work. To exclude and humiliate has not been effective. This form of discipline is reactionary and does not promote long term change in individual students, nor in the culture of the schools.