Seeing the signs

Part One

Time bomb in the classroom
Problem teen-ager hides in the cracks
Lingering problems: After Moses Lake, violence leaves mark
In Olympia, lawmakers toe line between violence, rights
Numbers don't always add up

Part Two

Eye on violence: Schools beef up security, find new ways to curb problems
Prevention starts in college classroom
Blessed are the peacemakers
Poll shows public wants solutions
Programs show students how to recognize, avoid potential problem areas

Part Three

A child's death, A mother's pain
Alice Fritz describes heartbreak of losing her son to violence
Getting connected: Students who get involved early have better chance of doing well
Guidelines for getting involved
Laws give students protection from action
Many give warnings before violence
Seeing the signs

Credits

Resources

Seeing the signs

After the Springfield, Ore., attack, President Clinton directed the U.S. departments of education and justice to develop a guide to help adults identify and reach out to troubled children.

Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools, is available on the World Wide Web at www.air-dc.org/cecp/guide or by calling 877-433-7827.

The guide identifies early warning signs, which signal potential trouble, and imminent warning signs, which require immediate intervention. The early warning signs include:

-- Social withdrawal.

-- Excessive feelings of isolation and being alone.

-- Excessive feelings of rejection.

-- Being a victim of violence.

-- Feelings of being picked on and persecuted.

-- Low school interest.

-- Expression of violence.

-- Uncontrolled anger.

-- Patterns of impulsive and chronic hitting, intimidating and bullying behaviors.

-- History of discipline problems.

-- History of violent behavior.

-- Prejudicial attitudes and intolerance for differences.

-- Drug and/or alcohol use.

-- Affiliation with gangs.

-- Inappropriate access to, possession of and use of guns.

-- Serious threats of violence.

The more serious imminent warning signs indicate a child is likely to behave in a way that could hurt himself or others. Imminent warning signs include:

-- Serious physical fighting with peers or family members.

-- Severe destruction of property.

-- Severe rage for minor reasons.

-- Detailed threats of lethal violence.

-- Possession and/or use of guns or other weapons.

-- Self-inflicted injuries or threats of suicide.

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