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STUDENTS AGAINST VIOLENCE EVERYWHERE
NOVEMBER: FOCUS ON WEAPON SAFETY
In 2006, 18 percent of students in grades 9-12 reported they had carried a weapon anywhere and about
6 percent reported they had carried a weapon on school property
(Indicators of School Crime and Safety, Bureau of Justice
Statistics, 2007).
Many weapons, not just firearms, are discovered on school
campuses every year. Do students at your
school know what is considered a weapon?
Each state has a specific definition of what is considered a
weapon and what the consequences are for bringing a weapon on campus.
November is a great time to remind
students what school policies exist on weapons and the consequences for bringing weapons on campus.
Crime Prevention Activities
- Conduct a skit or puppet show at local
elementary schools to exemplify Ernie’s Weapon Safety Rules
( SAVE Ernie the Elephant Color Book).
- Conduct a weapons safety awareness campaign.
Make announcements stating weapon violence statistics.
Create posters listing weapon rules and consequences
to display around campus (
SAVE Essentials, Crime Prevention - 17).
- Invite your SRO to be a guest speaker at a
meeting to share with members types of weapons
that have been found on campus,
what is considered a weapon, and the consequences
for bringing a weapon on campus (SAVE Essentials, Crime Prev.-13).
- Work with your SRO to sponsor a “Turn in a
Weapon – No Questions Asked” program at your
local police department.
Conflict Management Activities
- Create a “What Would You Do?” sheet
informing students of how to report someone
who has a weapon or is planning a violent act.
- Sponsor a “Decorate-a-Door” contest on ways
to handle stress or manage anger for homeroom classes.
- Use physical education classes to demonstrate
healthy ways exercise can be used to release anger and stress.
Service Project Activities
- Host a story hour at the local
library or at a domestic violence
shelter and read Ernie the
Elephant learns about...Weapon
Safety to children (SAVE Ernie the
Elephant Color Book).
- Sponsor a fund-raiser to purchase a metal
detector for local law enforcement to use at ball games or other school events.
- Sponsor a “First Aid” event where students
learn first aid techniques and participate in
simulation activities that would prepare
students to help others in situations of need.
- Encourage your safe schools committee to
review the schools crisis response plan with SAVE
members to update and clarify plan.
- Host a violent toy trade-in providing
peaceful toys in exchange.
For more service project ideas
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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