- The New Jersey Department of Education requires its schools to organize student discussions on topics such as how to resolve conflicts without violence, what to do about bullies and how to understand concepts such as diversity and tolerance. The department recommends small groups that focus on student-related issues. Leaders should make sure students in the group understand the school's policies on and procedures for addressing violence.
- Many students like to learn by watching films and documentaries. Viewing a video during school violence awareness week is an effective way to make an impression on students. The acclaimed documentary "Let's Get Real," distributed by New Day Films, features real students who bully, students who have been bullied and students who have intervened to prevent bullying, all talking about how name calling and bullying impacts their lives.
- One way to prevent school violence is to help students and teachers understand and recognize the early warning signs of violent behavior so they can intervene. An early warning detection lesson calls out indicators of potential problems such as social withdrawal, low interest in school, uncontrolled anger and feelings of isolation, withdrawal and persecution. Teachers and students must not hastily identify and stereotype students who are unlikely to become violent just because they exhibit one or two of the early warning symptoms. They must assess potential aggressors based upon a variety of factors in context.
- School violence awareness lessons should empower students to help create safe schools. Students can support anti-violence organizations, mentor and tutor their classmates, plan assemblies and participate in programs for reporting gang activity, graffiti and vandalism -- activities that could be harbingers of violent activity. These student activities help education leaders intervene to provide plans that encourage responsible behavior and reduce aggressive behavior.
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