In order to prevent violence before it begins, staff and students should look for certain warning signs of potentially violent behavior. This information is presented to staff and students in September and is reviewed periodically throughout the school year. These concerns are identified and addressed in the Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District Code of Conduct. The following list was adapted from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Guide for Prevention of School Violence. Students and staff who notice these signs should notify a teacher or administrator. Administrators should contact parents, counselors, and or law enforcement officials.
A. INDICATIONS OF POTENTIAL VIOLENT BEHAVIOR
Indications of potential violent behavior include the following:
- Has engaged in violent behavior in the past.
- Has tantrums or uncontrollable angry outbursts.
- Continues exhibiting antisocial behaviors that began at an early age.
- Forms and/or maintains friendships with others who have repeatedly engaged in problem behaviors.
- Often engages in name-calling, cursing, or abusive language.
- Has brought a weapon or threatened to bring a weapon to school.
- Consistently makes violent threats when angry.
- Has a substance abuse problem.
- Is frequently truant or has been suspended from school multiple times.
- Seems preoccupied with weapons or violence, especially associated with killing humans rather than with target practice or hunting.
- Has few or no close friends despite having lived in the area for some time.
- Is abusive to animals.
- Has too little parental supervision given the student’s age and maturity level.
- Has been a victim of abuse or been neglected by parents/ guardians.
- Has repeatedly witnessed domestic abuse or other forms of violence.
- Has experienced trauma or loss in his/her home or community.
- Pays no attention to the feelings or rights of others.
- Dwells on perceived slights, rejection, or mistreatment by others; blames others for his/her problems and appears vengeful.
- Intimidates others, or is a victim of intimidation by others.
- Seems preoccupied with TV shows, movies, video games, reading materials, or music that expresses violence.
- Reflects excessive anger in writing projects.
- Is involved in a gang or antisocial group.
- Seems depressed/withdrawn or has exhibited severe mood or behavioral swings, greater in magnitude than peers.
- Expresses sadistic, violent, prejudicial, or intolerant attitudes.
- 2Has threatened or actually attempted suicide or acts of self-mutilation.
B. INTERPRETATION OF WARNING SIGNS
The fact that a student exhibits the behaviors above does not necessarily mean that such student is violent. Therefore everyone concerned must take precautions that students are not needlessly stigmatized.