High schoolers in Chesapeake are referred to guidance counselors. Middle schoolers get the lesson in health class: how to spot gangs, what gangs do, and how to stay away.
Now Chesapeake wants to extend these lessons to elementary school students, and eventually even kindergartners.
Starting this fall, students in grades three to five will have gang prevention and awareness classes.
Eventually, the division hopes to put these lessons in place at all the elementary school grades, said Anita James, director of elementary curriculum and instruction.
The new lessons are part of a series of steps Chesapeake schools have taken since the School Board retreat in January, when the board discussed ways to prevent gang activity in schools. The Police Department also has conducted
sessions with school administrators, and new teachers and student council members have been instructed to watch a presentation on recognizing gangs and gang members.
Other local school divisions have courses at the elementary school level that touch on gangs as part of a larger curriculum - two years ago, for instance, Virginia Beach added a gang component to its DARE program at the fourth-grade level. Norfolk police conduct gang-prevention programs at the request of a school principal.
But Chesapeake will be the first South Hampton Roads school division to have a divisionwide, gang-specific program for younger students.
Chesapeake, too, had a generalized program for elementary schoolers that focused on decision-making, conflict resolution, and citizenship, James said.
The current program "gives more general information that you hope students will rely on and relate back to when they're confronted with situations that could result in activities with gangs," she said. "But by being more specific, we can make sure that they know" exactly how these lessons apply to gang-related issues.
"We're not going in this direction because we see a huge increase in the number of younger students in gangs," James said. "We're going in this direction because we want to prevent that."
The lesson plans haven't been completed, James said, and teaching elementary schoolers about gangs isn't the same as teaching older students. Some might not understand, she said, but they can learn to deal with specific situations and about the concept of gangs.
"A lot of the kids that are in this environment, they don't know what it is, that's it's bad, that it's something that's not normal," School Board member Tina Pullen said. "I think anytime we can start making them aware, it helps."
Alicia Wittmeyer, (757) 222-5216, alicia.wittmeyer@pilotonline.com
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Gang Violence 101
Good grief, I don't know why more people don't home school. That's what I'd do if my kids were school age. With the high cost of day care and after school care, sick kids spreading every imaginable didease in the classroom, unhealthy cafeteria food, so-so teachers, violent kids, peer pressure, questionable curriculum...why put up with it all?
teach the kids
Not to sure about teaching the kids about gangs,the more you teach them the more one mind might want to see what it s about,teach the kids to be somebody,give them goals to reach and things to learn.not gangbangin the cities run with this for the program money,that s why they want it in school because where I live at the kids don't talk about gang bangin the skateboard or play catch or jog a round the lake so show the inner city kids a different light and you might just be on to something other than a gang video......
Not Just Inner City Kids
It's not just the inner city kids . . . there are different ways of causing trouble and danger. Personally, I wouldn't approach a group of inner city kids hanging out on the corner, nor would I approach a group of skateboarding kids hanging out in the least crowded part of a parking lot. I've seen both kinds of groups using profanity, fighting, and intimidating other people. Don't single them out because they're all dangerous and they all need to be taught respect, discipline, and that their actions come with consequences.
Not for kindergardens
I understand and agree that in today's world schools are becoming more and more dangerous for our children. My son will be going to kindergarten next September and I would be upset if they talked to him about gangs at that age level. It is MY responsibility to care for him and teach him about the dangers of the world. Yes gangs are reaching into elementary schools and our children should be armed against them. But isn’t it our responsibility as adults to keep our youngest children safe. My fear at that age is scaring a child to the point they are afraid to go to school.
I agree that 3-5 graders are old enough to start to understand what it is they are being taught. But kindergarten and 1st grade, parents step up and teach your child about dangers. We teach them not to run in the road, or talk to strangers, or play outside in the thunder storm.
I also believe that parents should have to go to a meeting or class prior to this subject being taught so we know how and what we need to discuss with our young children. You know just an hour or two to know what is being discussed, what are they being told? Why can’t we make this a joint project at home and in scho
The problem is that alot of
The problem is that alot of parents don't do their jobs. So people like me, who don't have children, can pay teachers and police to raise their children for them. You know that nice deduction you get for each child you have, people like me make up the diffrence. So I pay for other people to raise your children and then get to pay to have them in prison too. I wouldn't mind paying higher taxes to keep their parents in prison with them when they do mess up and get caught.
These are things that should be taught at home
Subjects such as these should be discussed at home. I for one don't expect the school system to raise my child. The bigger problem is,and will probably remain, parents that aren't willing to put forth the time and effort it takes to properly raise a child. My wife and I are blessed with three great children. The two oldest in honors classes and the youngest just out of kindergarden. We spend a lot of time working with them,spending time with them, and teaching them the difference between right and wrong. As parents we must all remember that our children did not ask to be brought into this world. They deserve all of our love and attention and as hard as this will be for many "parents" to understand; their needs come before your wants and desires!
Kids join gangs for the
Kids join gangs for the sense of family that they do not have. You can talk to them till you are blue in the face about not joining a gang, but if they feel they have no other family it is hard to tell them the feeling of security is wrong. If you could fix their families you might have a fighting chance. Kids with no guidance from their parents or other family members for whatever reason find that in gangs. It isn't right but it is the truth. People want to feel like they belong to some sort of family. When they have nothing else you will never convince them they are wrong unless you have a better alternative.
IT still wont change the mentality of the community
First off,
it wont work unless the parents reinforce it !
most parents of gang members are in denial or just don't care.
the little kids of the neighborhoods look up to all of the gangs, because they have money and power and more importantly don't have to answer to anyone.They are percieved as cool.
perfect example, there is a middle school right near my house. When the kids get out they play a little game walking home. They pick a kid randomly and then everyone in the crowd kicks and beats them down.
Happens regularly in plain site of parents(only a couple for about 50 kids) and crossing gaurds, all within a few hundred feet of the school. Now what do you think that is training for ?
There should be a way to make parents accountable for thier children's actions ! Until that happens the problem will persist.
You're kidding
You're kidding, right? Feel free to show explicit photos to older children, but please keep those away from elem. school. Why would that be a good idea? I do remember the videos but again I was in HIGH school. BIG difference. Hopefully the curriculum will target what needs to be targeted at the correct age level.
?????
Why would it not be a good idea? These gang members in Middle School and High School are targeting the kids in Elm school! Do you have a child in elm school? If so do they know about gangs? Do they know how to identify someone who is in a gang? We didn't need this when we were younger but this generation of children do need it. I'm sure you will be able to opt out of allowing your child to be apart of it so I don't think you need to worry. However, if you do opt out you need to worry about your child not being educated and falling victim to a gang member recruiting him or her in the years to come. These gang members are everywhere in the school. Many are home grown gangs and yes they are as young as being in the 4th and 5th grade which is ELM school. It will only help our children!
good idea
I don't object to educating those in elem. school (which I do have childre in, thanks) but I do object to showing brutal photos to young kids. I believe that is the point I was making, replying to another poster's idea of showing young kids violent photos. Take a chill pill.
Don't "candy coat" the message.
Those lesson plans should include real photos of the convicted gang members languishing in their jail cells with their names and sentences shown underneath. That would be the strongest "message" that could be sent. Don't play around and try to "talk nice" about this issue. Remember those safe driving movies we were shown in high school with the gruesome photos of accident? I still do.
it's about gaining respect
Actually, showing gang members in jail cells glorifies gang membership. If you really want to make an impact, show them the gruesome reality of the morgue. Don't make them soft pictures either. Today’s kids don't think that jail is all that bad. They get to hang with other incarcerated gang members, 3 squares a day, cable, shop classes to learn how to boost a car, and the list goes on. It's not all that bad to be in jail. Then when you get out, you are automatically hailed as a hero by fellow gang members and the notoriety makes the ex-con feel respected.
But when you show them things that deal with mortality, it will paint a different image. When you show them the violent nature of gang warfare and brutal death, they just might not see much glory in that. How can anyone respect you when your dead.
I agrea
%200, dont candy coat this and play nice about it. Kids need to see the grim reality of what will happen to them if they end up in a gang so besides the prison photos it would be a good idea to include crime scene photo's of dead gang members and their crying and screaming family members when they find out about their deaths.