Stopping School Violence

Results from numerous surveys indicate that many students do not feel safe in school. This condition exacts an academic as well as a psychological toll because, as the authors remind us, children must feel safe in order to learn. The authors of Preventing Bullying and School Violence contend that inadequate attention has been given to the role of mental health professionals in preventing bullying and school violence. They propose a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, one that draws upon the skills of the educational, health care, and mental health communities in identifying risk, choosing appropriate interventions, and implementing targeted wellness programs. The authors see bullying as a process, not a problem originating with a single troubled person. Accordingly, they believe that bullying behaviors can be effectively addressed only by targeting the broader social context -- the coercive power and group dynamics that breed and maintain bullying and violent behavior in the school setting. The book is designed to help clinicians, school counselors, and administrators create a safe climate for their students and to respond thoughtfully, but swiftly, when threats arise. The authors offer many practical guidelines for achieving these goals, addressing The critical importance of establishing a strong connection between the family, the school, and the community in creating a healthy academic environment Strategies for working effectively with the complex social bureaucracies that often characterize the entities (such as school boards and governmental agencies) that intervene in cases involving violent children, with an emphasis on developing skills in managing both small and large groups Ways to define and recognize at-risk children who require special attention as a result of having mental illness and/or learning disability Innovative community interventions, such as therapeutic mentoring and home-based therapy, in addition to information on local, state, and federal programs designed to support antiviolence programs in the schools Techniques for promoting wellness among the student population -- not just physical wellness, but also the positive attitudes and coping skills that are the hallmarks of mental health. Preventing Bullying and School Violence aims to empower mental health professionals to work confidently and effectively in educational settings to reduce the distress, enhance the psychological well-being, and secure the safety of all schoolchildren.

Using Social Emotional Learning to Prevent School Violence is an essential resource that seeks to close the existing gap in literature on ways to mitigate school violence, as well as to advocate for the integration of social emotional learning in schools. In an effort to create culturally responsive, student-centered, and secure school environments, this book outlines strategies that highlight the importance of collaboration between critical stakeholders in identifying and mitigating bullying, assisting students struggling with relationship building skills, grief and loss, and anger; particularly those that demonstrate the need for power and control or the desire for retaliation. Mental health issues are also taken into consideration. Proactive responses and best practices are exemplifed in order to equip struggling students with resources that foster their well-being and success. Dr. Paolini draws upon extensive research in her depiction of school violence in America’s education system and designs lesson plans and activities that address and align with each of the social emotional learning core competencies for both elementary and secondary school counselors. This book will be of interest to critical stakeholders in P-12 settings as well as those in higher education, particularly as a resource for graduate students training to become transformative school counselors.

This timely book presents a data-driven approach to preventing and responding to school violence. As school violence receives increasing attention across the nation, the application of scientific knowledge is critical. For maximum effectiveness, transdisciplinary teams should use school data, logic models, and theories of change to design, implement, and evaluate interventions. Collaboration among key stakeholders is also necessary to address both structural and systemic barriers to success with violence prevention. With concrete methods for promoting safety in primary and secondary educational settings, this book will engage and enable school faculty, counselors, administrators, and other partners to better understand areas of common interest and learn how to work together more effectively.

Bullying. Gang assaults. Rampage shootings. School violence, especially when it turns deadly, has enduring social and psychological effects on students, faculty, staff, and the community. And though a great deal of research focuses on the significant role children’s positive social development plays in reducing incidents of school violence, in-depth examinations of evidence-based preventive measures have remained minimal until now. With its focus on averting lethal school violence, this unique volume translates the prosocial findings into practicable preventive measures that can be put to use in school settings. Making expert use of news reports as well as scholarly data, Preventing Lethal School Violence clarifies the links between bullying and lethal violence and delineates typical characteristics of school shooters while cautioning against outright profiling. Students’ awareness of self and others, strong connections with adults, and other social and ethical skills form the basis of a comprehensive, research-based model for reducing—and potentially eliminating—lethal incidents at school. This accessible volume: Outlines the scope of school violence as a broader social problem. Summarizes current information on the traits common to students who commit lethal violence at school. Examines the relationship between bullying/cyberbullying and rampage incidents. Analyzes examples of successful prevention of violent acts and resolution of hostage situations. Describes in detail the concept of positive school climate and introduces the Safe School Communities Model. Synthesizes key research data into violence prevention skills for students, teachers, administrators, and all professionals working in schools. Preventing Lethal School Violence is a must-have resource for researchers and professionals in school psychology and allied education disciplines, including school administration, school counseling, and social work.

Significant shifts in community violence have created a need for greater awareness of character development and violence prevention in schools. Since the first edition (2008), public concern generated by high-profile shootings and other violence in schools has only increased. Now more than ever, effective strategies for preventing violence, treating victims, and assessing at-risk children are needed. This new edition, an update of contemporary issues of school violence, is a compendium of theory, research, and applied models that addresses violence and critical ingredients in prevention interventions in schools. The book uniquely addresses psychiatric input on neurobiology of trauma and victimization of children who experience school violence. Authored by clinicians, counselors, educators, researchers, and other professionals, the volume covers new approaches to primary prevention in schools and new contributors including a school superintendent, school safety officer, and specialists who treat relationship and dating violence. New topics include guidelines for school personnel that address exploitation of teenagers due to sex trafficking, and perspectives of parents whose children were victims of abuse and violence in schools. Among the topics explored: Developmental Issues in the Prevention of Aggression and Violence in School Updated Perspectives on Linking School Bullying and Related Youth Violence Research to Effective Prevention Strategies The Role of School District Superintendent in School Violence and Prevention: Softening Schools While Hardening Buildings Role of Law Enforcement in School Violence Prevention Through Positive Intervention and Relationship-Building Empowering Children to Prevent Violence School Violence and Primary Prevention is a critical and timely resource for school, medical, and mental health professionals working with children. It is also useful for students in public health, education, social work, psychology, and counseling-focused education. "Dr. Miller has again made a major contribution on a most pressing issue of our time: school violence. The book covers the landscape of this psychosocial problem including cultural, developmental, intergenerational, racial, and gender aspects as well as approaches and solutions." -James J. Clark, Provost & EVP, Florida State University.

This volume presents the Bavarian roots and early story of the Dominicans of Racine, Wisconsin. It takes the reader through more than seven centuries in the monastery halls of Heilig Kreuz in Regensburg, into the lifetime of that monastery's eventual prioress, Maria Benedicta Bauer. It traces Benedicta's path through thirteen years in that office, through the turbulent events leading to her deposition and her emigration to the United States, and along her winding road to Racine with her loyal companion, Maria Thomasina Ginker. It follows the young new community through its first four difficult but hope-filled years, up to the deaths of its founders. It is a story, however, not just of the past but for the present as well.

This important new work covers clinical issues in treating victims of school violence and assessing children with the potential for violence. The editor also examines the effectiveness of prevention intervention programs and offers larger policy recommendations. The book looks at environmental factors such as cultural issues on behaviors from bullying to mass school shootings. And uniquely, the book delves into topics such as sexual boundaries and body image. In all, this book aims for a theoretical and applied picture of the current state of school violence and prevention.