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S.A.V.E. CHAPTER HIGHLIGHT
2000-2001 S.A.V.E.
Chapter School of the Year
Northern Durham High School
Northern Durham High School was selected as the S.A.V.E.
Chapter of the Year for the 2000-2001 school year. The S.A.V.E.
chapter’s plan for the school year included planning
and implementing for a three tier approach to violence reduction
and tolerance education. S.A.V.E.
students taught individuals conflict resolution and behavior
management skills in freshman classes; peer mediation continued
for intervening and resolving problems between students; and
a Fight Free School Zone established a campus wide atmosphere
for nonviolence.
The chapter raised over $4,200 to pay for
additional mediation training, carpet and paint for a mediation center at
the school, organized a county-wide S.A.V.E. summit, and provided free
S.A.V.E. tee shirts for the entire faculty and staff as incentives to
support the S.A.V.E. program.
A recent outbreak of gang related incidents gave
the S.A.V.E. chapter another opportunity to show its role and impact at
Northern. When several teachers and students who are not members
approached the S.A.V.E. advisors and members about the incidents, the
chapter did not shy away from the seemingly impossible task of dealing
with this relatively new escalation of violence brought from the streets
to the campus, but instead held an impromptu meeting after school.  Several
teachers and dozens of students met, and though frustrations were voiced
the group continuously came back to the question of “What can we do?” The
members now have three goals: first, to have a poster and information
blitz to raise awareness and show support for all those who are opposed to
gangs’; second, to plan and organize assemblies to bring students, faculty
and parents together against gangs in the schools; and finally, to
research and find out the pros and cons of possibly bringing gang leaders
together to form a campus truce and how to support those students who want
to leave a gang. The teachers present were extremely impressed and as one
educator put it “My faith in young people is often shaken at times like
this, but my hope and spirit has been renewed. What can I do to help?”
The chapter holds an annual “Pledge Dance” in the
fall, where students attending sign pledge cards against violence and
intolerance as part of their admission, and an annual “Spring Fling” in
the spring as a way to bring the campus closer together. Every dance has
been a tremendous success with an attendance of over 300 students and no
disruptive problems, and they have made the chapter well received among
students.
The chapter is often called upon by schools and
community groups to make presentations and provide conflict resolution
sessions to other schools (elementary to senior highs) and at conferences.
They have many workdays at the Association for Retarded Citizens where
students worked one on one with members. The chapter is quick to respond
to needs in the school and community.
Nominate a S.A.V.E.
Chapter
To nominate a S.A.V.E. Chapter to be highlighted on our website please click
here, complete the following form, and return to our office.
National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere
SAVE: Youth Voices... Grown-Up Choices! Toll Free 866-343-SAVE
For more information contact cwray@nationalsave.org / Copyright 2007
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