A Framework for Prevention
Schools, families and communities are all influential learning environments
for children. The importance of schools and families was highlighted in
the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health: "The bottom
line is that social contexts count. Adolescents who are connected to their
families and schools are healthier than those who are not." This
study clearly shows that parent-family connectedness and perceived school
connectedness are protective factors against adolescent tobacco, alcohol
and other drug use, as well as emotional distress, suicidal thought and
behaviors, violence and initiation of sexual intercourse. ("Protecting
Adolescents from Harm," Journal of American Medical Association,
Vol. 278, No. 10, September 10, 1997.) For these reasons, the Too Good
for Violence curriculum targets not only individual students, but
also their learning environments.
Child
The scripted lessons in the Too Good for Violence curriculum target
individual children. They include activities to strengthen knowledge,
attitudes, beliefs and skills which research has shown to be effective
for violence prevention. Supplemental activities, recommended books and
audio or videotapes, and healthy after-school activities also target individual
students.
School
The Mendez Foundation provides tips for establishing a caring and supportive
classroom environment in which prevention activities can succeed. The
Mendez Foundation also offers Evoking the Best in Yourself and Your Students,
a one-day experiential seminar on this topic. In addition, we offer a
one-day seminar called Evoking the Best in Yourself and Your Staff, which
guides principals and other administrators in creating a supportive school
environment, improving morale and increasing a sense of teamwork and common
goals. Too Good for Drugs and Violence--Staff Development is training
to support to resiliency framework in your classroom and school. To schedule
these programs, call the Foundation at 800-750-0986. To order materials,
please visit our Online
Store.
Family
Family involvement is integral to the Too Good for Violence program.
Each K-5 curricula is supported by interactive exercises for the children
to take home and share with parents. In addition, a newsletter, A Peace-Able
Press for Parents, is included with all grade levels and "Home Pages"
are included in Too Good for Drugs and Violence - High School.
Community
Too Good for Violence curriculum contains suggestions for building
community support for, and involvement in, a coordinated violence prevention
effort. These guidelines will help you to establish a community task force
and plan a media campaign in order to raise public awareness of, appreciation
for and participation in your Too Good for Violence prevention
program.
In addition, the Mendez Foundation offers Too
Good for Drugs and Violence After-School Activities to reinforce
prevention education messages during after-school or summer time.
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