Chicago Public Schools: Violence and Death or Peacemakers Prevail?May 10 2010by Rick Phillips, Executive DirectorIn September 2009, 16 year-old Derrion Albert, was viciously beaten to death on his way to school by three other teenage boys. The escalating violence in Chicago Public Schools captured the attention of the nation, particularly Secretary of Education Arne Duncan who was the Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools prior to his cabinet appointment by President Barack Obama, who is also from Chicago. Like many urban areas, Chicago faces many challenges. The turf wars in various neighborhoods, the gang activity among youth, and the lack of resources for safe schools has compounded the obstacles facing school administrators and teachers. Thanks to $30 million in federal stimulus money, the Chicago Public Schools “Culture of Calm Initiative” intends to build and implement a comprehensive, anti-violence plan. Chicago Public School officials state that the goal here is to reduce the likelihood that at-risk students will engage in, or become victims of, violence; and to create a safe, secure and supportive environment for students to improve attendance and excel academically. Requests for proposals have gone out to community organizations to develop a Safe Passage program and to create a Culture of Calm program at 38 high schools that have experienced high incidents of violence. The intention is clear: invest in the young people to become peacemakers. It is an objective that is in sync with the mission of Community Matters—to collaborate with schools and communities to engage, equip and empower young people to become change agents and peacemakers. Community Matters has been contracted by Chicago Public Schools to launch the Safe School Ambassadors Program in 14 high schools in their Area 23 during the month of May. It is hoped that the Program will be expanded to more Chicago schools next fall so that more student peacemakers will be engaged, equipped, and empowered to use nonviolent communication skills to prevent and stop bullying and violence among their peers. It is a clear choice between allowing the violence to escalate or having students involved with changing the culture on their campuses. Community Matters advocates for the choice for peace.
Recent PostsRick Phillips Speaks On Bullying at the Clinton School of Public ServiceThe Clinton School of Public Service invited Rick Phillips, Executive Director of Community Matters as one of their Distinguished Speakers for their series of public lectures in Little Rock, Arkansas. Safe School Ambassadors school nationally recognized for its tolerance effortsMesa Linda Middle School in Victorville, CA was recognized as a “Mix It Up” Model School by the Teaching Tolerance Project. Straight Talk TNT - Teens ‘n Twenties Publishes Article Praising Safe School Ambassadors ProgramLauren Forcella, founder and editor of the website Straight Talk TNT: Teens ‘n Twenties, has written and published an article on her site praising the effectiveness of the Safe School Ambassadors program. Rick Phillips - Keynote Speaker at the National School Board Association ConferenceRick Phillips presented a two-hour keynote at the National School Board Association’s 71st Annual Conference on Saturday, April 8, held at the San Francisco Moscone Convention Center. SSA program Evaluation Report shows positive resultsA multi-year evaluation of the Safe School Ambassadors (SSA) program has been completed, with some very exciting and gratifying results. |