Elementary School Safety

Macey Matulis
School Violence to School Safety: Reframing the Issue
for School Psychologists

Written by Gale M Morrison and Michael J. Furlong

Both are licensed psychologists, and they bring in the thoughts of a
superintendent Richard L. Morrison from Ventura County, California
School Psychology Review
Volume 23, No. 2, 1994
What do you think of when you think of School
Violence to School Safety?
School Safety

The idea of school safety is seen differently by many.

- Security
- Metal detectors
- Zero tolerance for bullying

The mandate for safe schools does not mean merely “violence free”, but safe,
secure, and peaceful.
Students concerns
Increase of violence lead to:
35% of the students more concerned about their personal safety
20% less eager to attend school
14% less inclined to pay attention in school

Students are more concerned about occurrence of violence at school than in their lives
outside of school.

(Joyce Foundations Survey, L.H. Harris, Personal communications September 1, 1993)

Psychologist point of view

“Weapons on campus are not the problem, they are a glaring, powerful
symptom of a fundamental interpersonal and structural weakness in
the school community.”
Safe School model - Contributions to School Safety

- Student/ Staff Characteristics

- Physical Environment
- Social Environment
- Cultural Characteristics
As educators: (psychologist point of view)

We have so much on our plates that “we cannot afford to continue to

focus our effort on single issues such as school violence, drugs, and
gangs”
“Crime focused” Perspective

“This perspective has so dominated our view of violence that school

psychologists have not taken a leadership role in this area, when by training they
have the knowledge and skills to be a tremendous resource to the school
community.”

These psychologists want to make the campuses welcoming and nurturing

References

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/02796015.1994.12085709?need
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