Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 October 2004 — Page 30

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PARENTING TIPS FROM THE DESK OF JADA Understanding sohtol violence From KMfhcalth.org . • " Violence has been with us since the dawn of time, and the media attention given to it in recent years HMHnBflj seems to have both positive and negative effects. M As word spread L tf* jl about incidents Cl— -9 of school violence, some schools have increased their security and learned how to address students’ and families’ concerns. But does the publicity make school violence seem to be a bigger problem than it really is? What is school violence? Playground fights. Vandalism. Shootings. Any act that physically or psychologically harms people or damages property in a school setting is considered school violence. Despite all the attention given to school violence in the media, schools are actually very safe places. The rate of crime involving physical harm has been declining in U.S. schools throughout the 1990s. Fewer than 100 schools have been sites of violent deaths in the last seven years. That number seems high, but to put it in perspective, 90 percent of the nation’s schools had no incidents of serious or violent crimes at all, accordingto the U.S. Department of Education. What causes school violence? It would be simpler to understand school violence if it were caused by only one thing, but it’s not. Although many factors contribute to school violence, experts agree on at least two: breakdown of communication and availability of weapons. When kids have problems at home or school, they need resources to help them work through those problems. If parents are unavailable, the children either won’t know how to cope or they’ll have to find another means to alleviate stress. Boys in particular may feel a sociocultural pressure to act tough and not express their feelings in a calm way. Safe schools The majority of children who have access to weapons and play violent video games do not engage in violent acts, but even one violent act in a school is one too many. That’s why many schools are taking steps to increase security to keep students safe. Many schools have increased security measures to ensure that weapons are not available on campus. This doesn’t mean a police state must exist on school grounds. Some school districts have been successful at keeping weapons out of schools through measures such as random locker and bag checks and establishing only one entry and exit point to the school that is supervised by a teacher. Other schools use metal detectors, such as those used in airport security. Preventing school violence doesn’t stop with preventing easy access the weapons. Many schools have added curricula to educate children about their feelings and how to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence. Being involved in both peer counseling and active peer programs can help students become more attuned to the signs that a fellow student (or themselves) may be becoming more troubled or violent. Despite recent events of school violence, school is probably the safest place your child can be. According to Bob Chase, president of the National Education Association, schools are safer than subways, shopping malls, and even homes. You can do a great deal as a parent to ease your own child’s fears about school violence by getting and staying involved in your child’s life.

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C SECTION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2004

Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Olympics

1. Anthony Boyce, deputy fire marshal for the Indianapolis Fire Department, shows an IPS student how to call 911 to report a fire at the State Farm and IFD 4 th annual Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Olympics.

2. Students from IPS School 11 begin the festivities by releasing balloons.

3. Sherron Franklin of the Indianapolis Police Department shares a joke with Cathy Gilbert, a State Farm employee who dressed as a clown for the event.

4. IFD firemen and women let go of eight black balloons that represented the fire fatalities in the department this year. (Photos/J. Hurst)

The Pike Township Fire Department held a-safety festival at Intech Office Park that taught fire and injury prevention and provided food and entertainment. Pike Township Trustee Lula M. Patton serves food to attendees.

Volunteer Whitney Barnett helps 5-year-old Sydney Reid practice spraying fires.

Volunteer Keshia Gayhart serves cold drinks to event attendees. (Photos/C. Guynn)

The National Pan-Hellenic Council held a nationwide voter registration drive. The Indianapolis chapter registered 600 new voters in Marion County high schools. Standing (left to right): Milton Booth, Fayee Whitney, Trade Bell, Denise Kelly, KaVonna Tlggs and Greg Gooch. Seated (left to right): President Delia Askew, vice- president Johnny Lynch, Kimber Hall, Roslland Jackson and William Lindsey. (Photo/ C. Guynn)

Christina Green Hayes tries on a designer coat during the Coburn Place Safe Haven's eighth annual Designer's Closet. All proceeds benefited Coburn Place.

Jarnell Burks-Craig finds gently used designer wear from St. John, Ralph Lauren and other name brand designers. (Photos/J. Hurst)

Antoinette Williams digs a hole to plant a flower in Floro Torrence Elementary School No. 83's new garden. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. partnered with School 83 to create an outdoor classroom for the children. Some of the Improvements include a nature trail, butterfly and alphabet gardens as well as rehabilitation of the baseball diamond. (Photo/J. Cohen)