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Gun Violence in Schools

Use these resources to help navigate conversations about gun violence, school safety, mental health and how to take action after a school shooting.
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Young people around the country have been doing anti-violence work for years, but the February 2018 shooting in Parkland, Florida, thrust their calls for better gun-control laws and mental health services into the national spotlight. Educators, understandably shaken by the scale of the shooting, found creative ways to talk with their students and encourage them to make their voices part of the national conversation about school safety. These resources—which we’ll update as needed—helped support those conversations.

 

From Birmingham to Parkland: Celebrate the Power of Young Voices

This article encourages educators to leverage the visibility of young Parkland activists to talk about the power of youth activism past and present—including activism overlooked by the media. 

 

Discussing “The Mental Health Issue” After Parkland

When talking with students about mass shootings, you can’t avoid addressing mental health. This article offers recommendations for ways you can talk about mental health with your students—without adding to the stigma already in place.

 

Teaching to End Tragedy: A Call to Elementary School Teachers

In light of the fierce civic consciousness and empowerment demonstrated by the survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, this elementary teacher implores her colleagues to consider social studies differently.

 

Walkout Day

This teacher built a custom lesson plan to mark a day when thousands of students walked out of their schools in protest. 

 

Permission to Walk Out: They Didn’t Ask; I Didn’t Give It

A principal explains why he issued over 100 discipline referrals after the national school walkout in March—and why he couldn’t be more proud of his students.

 

Five Things for Educators to Keep in Mind After March for Our Lives

This article encourages educators to take time to discuss and process the significance of the March 2018 #MarchforOurLives demonstration with students. 

Student holding sign that reads fear has no place in schools
Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images

 

Walkouts, Marches and the Desire to ‘Do Something’

This article includes a list of planned post-Parkland actions between February 21 and April 20, 2018. Although most of the actions have passed, the article also includes relevant information on how teachers and students can advocate for school safety behind the scenes. 

 

Students, Families and Educators Should Lead the Way on the Gun Crisis

A mother-daughter writing team calls for a legislative response to school shootings. 

 

Youth—United! #Enough in Marshall County, Kentucky

We reached out to students around the United States who are working to keep their schools safe from gun violence. In this interview, we caught up with Mary Cox, a senior at Marshall County High School, where two students were killed in a school shooting in January.

 

Youth—United! #Enough in Chicago, Illinois

We reached out to students from around the United States who are working to keep their schools safe from gun violence. In this interview, we caught up with senior Alex King, Peace Warrior and leader with Good Kids, Mad City at North Lawndale College Prep High School.

 

Youth—United! #Enough in Kalamazoo, Michigan

We reached out to students from around the United States who are working to keep their schools safe from gun violence. In this interview, we caught up with senior Jenna Bowker, founding member of Students for Gun Legislation at Kalamazoo Central High.

 

Youth—United! #Enough in South Central Los Angeles

We reached out to students from around the United States who are working to keep their schools safe from gun violence. This time, we caught up with Marco Vargas, a leader with Students Demand Action and a senior at Nava College Preparatory Academy.

 

When Bad Things Happen

This feature story offers educators strategies for helping students navigate a sometimes-violent world.
 

Never Forget

At least 152 people have died in K–12 school shootings since April 20, 1999. We honor their memories.

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