The U.S. Conference of Mayors recently met and discussed several methods to prevent school violence, expanding on their 1998 national action plan to address youth violence. The mayors organization suggested that schools combine tight physical security with emotional support. Participants said that dramatic measures, such as fenced-in campuses and a hotline for reporting threats and incidents anonymously, can help students and parents feel safer. Keeping students engaged in school activities and offering more in-depth counseling services can also prevent violence, according to conference participants. The mayors organization also supported the responsibility of city governments to be actively involved in preventing violence by working with local educators.
Schools now have a simple way to help improve their local communities.
The America the Beautiful Fund is offering free seeds for projects that help community organizations partner with schools in improving their society. The fund gives schools a chance to help feed hungry citizens and improve parks, libraries, community gardens, schools and other public places by planting vegetable and flower seeds. FREE brings together resources from more than 40 federal agencies. News reports and funding opportunities, plus additions to the FREE Web site are announced three times per week to more than 14,000 EDInfo subscribers. EDInfo is a free service that delivers messages from the U.S. Department of Education right to your e-mail account.