On District letterhead

Date:    

To:    District Staff and Parents

From:    Building Principal

Re:    Targeted School Violence Prevention Program

Student safety is our District’s top priority. To maximize safety, the District must have a process to identify threats and prevent targeted school violence. This process is part of the Targeted School Violence Prevention Program (Program). The Program is a portion of the preparedness and response phases of the District’s Safety Plan for emergency operations plans and disaster management. 

The District wishes to create a climate that encourages sharing any information about a safety concern with a trusted adult who can help. Sharing information about threats and safety concerns is everyone’s responsibility: students, parents, staff, and community members. The question and answer section below is designed to help students, staff and parents understand when school officials want individuals to share information about a safety concern with the Building Principal.

What Is a Threat?

A threat expresses intent to harm someone or something. It may be spoken, written, or expressed in another way.  Threats may be direct (“I’m going to beat you up” or “I’m going to blow this place up!”) or indirect (“Come and watch what I am going to do to him/her.”).  A threat can be vague (“I’m going to hurt him.”) or implied (“You better watch out.”).  Any possession of a weapon or mention of one is a possible threat.  Sometimes students make threats that may seem funny or “just kidding,” but sometimes a threat is very serious and/or criminal. When you are in doubt as to whether the statement is kidding or serious, the responsible thing to do is to tell a trusted adult who can help.

What Is Targeted School Violence?

Targeted School Violence includes school shootings and other school-based attacks where the school was deliberately selected as the location for the attack and was not simply a random site of opportunity.

What Is the Connection Between Targeted School Violence and Bullying?

The Ill. State Board of Education’s School Bullying Prevention Taskforce report identifies bullying and targeted school violence as “part and parcel of the same issue: interpersonal aggression.” In all its forms, interpersonal aggression negatively impacts students, school personnel, and communities and should be reported, investigated, and responded to with appropriate interventions.

What Can Staff and Parents Do?

Educate students about what a threat is, encourage students not to make threats or “just kidding” statements in the first place, and reiterate that seeking help to prevent someone from getting hurt or hurting another is appropriate. See 7:180 AP1, E2, Be a Hero by Reporting Bullying and School Violence.