You may have seen signs adorning schools in our communities declaring them "Violence Free Zones." For some this may prompt questions about how we have come to the point where such signs even are necessary.
For others, the signs of increasing school disruptions signal a call to action to make a real difference in the attitudes and actions taking place in Wisconsin schools. As we complete Safe Schools Week in Wisconsin, it is fitting to acknowledge the work of school officials who are attempting to imbue a culture and curriculum to make schools safer.
State Sen. John Lehman and members of the Joint Legislative Council-Special Committee on School Safety that he chaired are to be commended for their work in developing Senate Bill 154. That legislation requires Wisconsin schools develop policies on bullying, appropriate safety and crisis response plans, and train staff to improve safety for all stakeholders.
For more than 30 years, Wisconsin's Crisis Prevention Institute has been committed to promoting safety and security in schools by training staff to respond early to challenging, aggressive and potentially violent student behavior. We know the benefit of training and its impact on school safety.
Efforts such as those proposed in SB 154 work and can bring us to a day in which "Violence Free Zone" signs no longer needs to be posted.
- Randolph M. Boardman, Ed. D., is executive director of research and development for the Crisis Prevention Institute.
For others, the signs of increasing school disruptions signal a call to action to make a real difference in the attitudes and actions taking place in Wisconsin schools. As we complete Safe Schools Week in Wisconsin, it is fitting to acknowledge the work of school officials who are attempting to imbue a culture and curriculum to make schools safer.
State Sen. John Lehman and members of the Joint Legislative Council-Special Committee on School Safety that he chaired are to be commended for their work in developing Senate Bill 154. That legislation requires Wisconsin schools develop policies on bullying, appropriate safety and crisis response plans, and train staff to improve safety for all stakeholders.
For more than 30 years, Wisconsin's Crisis Prevention Institute has been committed to promoting safety and security in schools by training staff to respond early to challenging, aggressive and potentially violent student behavior. We know the benefit of training and its impact on school safety.
Efforts such as those proposed in SB 154 work and can bring us to a day in which "Violence Free Zone" signs no longer needs to be posted.
- Randolph M. Boardman, Ed. D., is executive director of research and development for the Crisis Prevention Institute.
