When crime, drugs, and violence spill over from the streets into the schools, providing a safe learning environment becomes increasingly difficult.
More students carry weapons for protection.
Gunfights replace fist-fights. Many students must travel through gang turf or groups of drug dealers. Violence becomes an acceptable way to settle conflicts. When this happens, children cannot learn and teachers cannot teach. 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.