If it's your child and he or she won't discuss these signs with you, see if a relative, a teacher, a counselor, a religious leader, a coach or another adult can break the ice. Get help right away. Talk with a counselor, mental health clinic, family doctor, a psychologist, religious leader, or school personnel. Recognizing these signs in any child should set off an alarm for any community member. If the parents appear disinterested, speak to the child's teacher or principal.
Prevention is a community effort.
What we have sadly learned from Columbine and Santee is that we can't presume that children and youth aren't capable of violence or that their threats can't be realized. We need to listen to the children. At their March 5 meeting, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the new Facilities Master Plan. The plan, which will include phased construction at the six existing elementary schools, was presented to parents and staff for comments and questions during six special Board meetings in February. Phase One of the plan will consist of renovation and modernization of existing buildings, replacement of utilities and other infrastructure systems, and planning for future Phase Two new buildings.