District Administration - July/August 2012 - (Page 39)

ing signs, and stress the necessity of sharing that information immediately with the administrative team. Since school shooters frequently exhibit warning signs, school personnel need to have direct knowledge about conducting threat assessments, and every threat needs to be investigated thoroughly. 3. Create a school climate that encourages students to share information with school personnel and other adults. This can best be established by implementing safety pledges and frequent dialogues with students about their important role in school safety, and by stressing the necessity of sharing information about threats of violence with adults immediately. Implications for Parents It is important for parents to be aware of what is going on in their child’s life, and this involves knowing their child’s friends and their parents. Parents need to monitor online communications and postings and check their child’s room when they have any concerns about their child’s behavior. If a child has exhibited warning signs of violence, then parents should not deny the problem and should let their child experience logical consequences from authorities at school and in the community. In his writings, Langman says something that I agree with: “Don’t lie to protect your child and do not hesitate to get them professional help.” School personnel have multiple opportunities through parent conferences and meetings to emphasize these key points to parents. School shooters are not simply normal kids. They are kids with identifiable mental health problems who have exhibited many warning signs of potential violence. Therefore, everyone must be alert to these warning signs and to the need to increase mental health services for young people both at school and in the community. DA Scott Poland is a professor at Nova Southeastern University and the co-director of the Suicide and Violence Prevention Office. Doctoral student Michael Pusateri assisted him in writing this article. www.DistrictAdministration.com July/August 2012 39 Teacher’s Pet. Why do Hitachi’s interactive and ultra short throw LCD projectors receive such preferential treatment in the classroom? They make learning faster and teaching easier. Choose from a variety of high performance models, each specifically designed to enhance the educational experience—for students and teachers. Leading edge projector technology helps stimulate the imagination of students of all ages and makes your lessons become more interesting, compelling and memorable. Vivid colors. Bold graphics. Crisp text. It’s easy to see how Hitachi’s best and brightest will become your classroom favorite. 1.800.HITACHI hitachi-america.us/projectors http://www.hitachi-america.us/projectors http://www.hitachi-america.us/projectors http://www.DistrictAdministration.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - July/August 2012

District Administration - July/August 2012
Contents
From the Editor
Letters
News Update
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Research Center
Professional Opinion
Supervisor's Opinion
Crisis Response
Going Mobile
Gaming Gains Respect
A Running Start for ELLs
Paul Vallas for Sale
Unsung Heroes
CIO News
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Virtual Schooling
Noteworthy Books
New Products
Product Focus
Problem Solution

District Administration - July/August 2012