Creating a safe place where children can learn and grow depends on a partnership among students, parents, teachers and other community institutions.

To prevent school violence: 
    •  Find out how crime threatens schools in your community. 
    •  Take actions to protect children.
    •  Promote non-violent ways to manage conflict.

How do these ideas translate into action?

Students

• Settle arguments with words, not fists or weapons. 
• Report crimes or suspicious activities to the police, school authorities or parents. 
• Learn safe routes for traveling to and from school, and know good places to seek help. 
• Don't use alcohol or other drugs, and stay away from places and people associated with them. 
• Get involved in your school's anti-violence activities - have poster contests against violence, hold anti-drug rallies or volunteer to counsel peers. If there is no program, help start one.

Parents

•  Sharpen your parenting skills by working with your children to build their strengths.
• Teach your children how to reduce their risk of being victims of crime. 
• Know where your kids are, what they are doing and who they are with at all times. 
• Help your children learn non-violent ways to handle frustration, anger and conflict. 
• Become involved in your child's school activities - PTA, field trips and helping out in class or the lunchroom. 
• Work with other parents in your neighborhood to start a McGruff House or other block parent program.

School Staff

•  Evaluate your school's safety objectively and set targets for improvement.
• Develop consistent disciplinary policies, good security procedures and a response plan for emergencies.
• Train school personnel in conflict resolution, problem solving, crisis intervention, cultural sensitivity, classroom management and counseling skills.
• Work with students, parents, law enforcement, state governments and community-based groups to develop broader crime-prevention efforts such as drug-free and gun-free school zones.

Community Partners

• Law enforcement can report on the type of crimes in the surrounding community and suggest ways to make schools safer. 
• Community-based groups, church organizations and other service groups can provide counseling, extended learning programs, before- and after-school activities, school watches and other community crime-prevention programs.
• State and local governments can develop model school safety plans and provide funding for schools to implement the programs. 
• Local businesses can provide apprenticeship programs, participate in the adopt-a-school programs or serve as mentors to area students. 
• Colleges and universities can offer conflict management courses to teachers or assist school officials in developing violence prevention curricula.