Over the course of the next weeks and months, we will be adding resources and developing this center - hopefully with your help.

In the meantime, here is our first - and perhaps most important - tip for parents concerned about school violence and safety:

Parenting Tip #1:
Reassure you child that they are safe at school

The most important thing you can do for your child is to assure them that they are safe at school.  Statistics show that children are safer at school than at any other place, and there is less than a one in a million chance that they will be a victim of a shooting at school. 

The terrible tragedies at Columbine High School and elsewhere have focused our attention on some very important issues concerning school safety.  It is important to remember however, that the number of violent incidents in schools has, in fact, been going down for the last few years - as have the rates of teen violence in general. 

While we can always do more to keep our children safe, we can also take comfort in knowing that the efforts being taken on the national and local levels are having a positive effect, and that our children are more safe now than before.

Please visit us again soon, to access our growing resource library, and connect with other parents who are concerned about their children's safety.

Coming Soon:

SOS Parenting Tips - Good ways to talk to your child about school violence
Parent's Bulletin Board - Learn how other parents are dealing with this sensitive issue
Early Warning Signs - Things every parent should look for as possible signs of trouble
Parent's Resource Library - Lists of book, articles, and other resources for parents
School Safety Links - Links to national and local organization working on school safety

If you have any comments about SOS, parenting tips or helpful resources you would like to share, please contact us.

HeartLand Media
4104 24th Street, # 128
San Francisco, CA 94114
415-642-5828
415-642-5838 (fax)
Order Line: 1-800-99-YOUTH