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From the Desk of Bill Cirone...
March 17, 2000
Helping Prevent Violence
Every school in Santa Barbara County has a school safety plan to help insure the protection of all young people. In addition, new programs are being used to help in the area of prevention: peace education, conflict resolution, anger management, and peer mediation.
But clearly there are no guarantees and these programs can never erase all the concerns of educators, parents, and community members as they continue to monitor the safety of all our students.
Fortunately, there are some basic steps that can enable parents to provide effective support to school and community programs in this area.
First, the philosophy of a nonviolent lifestyle begins in the home, where children learn to model everyday behavior. For this reason, discipline at home should never be physically severe. Local schools can provide information about effective alternative methods of child discipline, such as "time out" periods or suspension of privileges.
Be sure to talk things out with children. When there is a difference of opinion in the family, provide a good example by settling it with words. Don’t yell, interrupt, or threaten.
It always helps to build self-esteem. While it is important to teach children that they are responsible for their misdeeds, it is equally important to build their self-confidence by praising them for good behavior and accomplishments. A child who is loved and treated kindly at home learns to love others and treat them kindly as well.
It is also important to support the school. Know the school’s policies and rules regarding discipline and reinforce them at home. Take an interest in your child’s homework and school activities.
Be sure to clarify behavior standards. Be very clear about your expectations for behavior at home, at school and in the community. Identify the consequences for breaking rules. Explain why you disapprove of behavior such as destroying property, bullying, or harming others. Put your child on notice that TV shows, movies, music and magazines with violent or pornographic themes are not permitted in your home.
All these suggestions are intended to reinforce for children the idea that violence is not a solution to problems they may be facing. It is unacceptable behavior at home or at school, for them or for their friends or classmates. These are the first steps to helping insure a safe, secure, and nurturing environment for all.
© Santa Barbara County Education Office
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