California Department of Education
Taking Center Stage – Act II

DOCUMENT LIBRARY

The Role of Parents in Helping to Create Safe,
Violence-Free Middle Schools

Taking Center Stage, Sacramento: California Department of Education, 2001, p.228

Parents can help create middle schools where all students can pursue high academic standards in a safe, caring and challenging learning environment. Take these steps now:

  • Discuss the school’s discipline policy with your son or daughter. Show your support for the rules and help your child understand the reasons for them.

  • Involve your son or daughter in setting rules for appropriate behavior at home.

  • Talk with your son or daughter about the violence he or she sees on television, in video games, and possibly in the neighborhood. Help your child understand the real-life consequences of violence.

  • Teach your child how to solve problems. Give praise when she or he follows through.

  • Help your son or daughter find ways to express anger that do not involve verbally or physically hurting others. When you get angry, use it as an opportunity to model these appropriate responses for your child and talk about it.

  • Help your child understand the value of accepting individual differences.

  • Note any disturbing behaviors in your child. For example, frequent angry outbursts, excessive fighting and bullying of other students, cruelty to animals, fire setting, frequent behavior problems at school and in the neighborhood, lack of friends, and alcohol and drug use can be signs of serious problems. Get help for your child. Talk with a trained professional in your child’s school or in the community.

  • Keep open communication with your child, even when it is tough. Encourage your child always to let you know where and with whom he or she will be. Know your child’s friends.

  • Listen to your son or daughter if she or he shares concerns about friends who may be exhibiting troubling behaviors. Share this information with a trusted professional, such as the school psychologist, principal, or teacher.

  • Be involved in your child’s school life by supporting homework, talking with his or her teachers, and attending school functions, such as parent conferences, open houses, PTA meetings, and other school activities.

  • Work with your child’s school to make it more responsive to all students and to all families. Share your ideas about how the school can encourage family involvement, welcome all families, and include them in meaningful ways in their children’s education.

  • Encourage your school to offer before- and after-school programs. These usually involve the need for extra financial resources. Take part in helping to identify them by working closely with your school’s principal.

  • Volunteer to work with school-based groups concerned about preventing school violence. If no such group exists, offer to form one. Find out if there is a violence prevention group in your community. Offer to participate in the group’s activities.

  • Talk with the parents of your child’s friends. Discuss how you can work together to help ensure the safety and well-being of your children in their varied activities.

  • Ask your employer if there are provisions for parents to have time off to attend parent conferences which focus on helping you to understand and support your child.

From Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Education, Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 1998.

Back to Top