CMS to tackle school violence at conference next week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools officials will discuss how to prevent school violence at a conference in Charlotte next week.

Kalani Adams, a recent graduate, said school violence is still a major problem.

"It could really be better, to tell you the truth," Adams said.

Dr. David Jacobs, the School Violence Prevention Conference founder, said because school violence can trickle into the community, it isn't an isolated problem.

"We all have a role in trying to recognize those warning signs and (should) be educated about this," Jacobs said.

Jacobs is the associate medical director of trauma services at the F.H. "Sammy" Ross Jr. Trauma Institute at Carolinas Medical Center.

CMS officials also plan to meet with San Diego school officials to discuss a new approach to school violence called the trauma informed approach.

Instead of punishing students by expelling or suspending them, the method uses a support system to address social and behavioral issues.

San Diego school officials saw their school violence cases drop by 50 percent after they cut their expulsion and suspension rates in half.

"Whether you're a parent, teacher, counselor, we all need to embrace our community schools and we have a role," Jacobs said.

CMS told Channel 9 they've started to move away from expulsions, and suspensions and have seen improvements.
During the 2012-13 school year, there were 387 reports of students assaulting school personnel.
In 2013-14, that number went down to 216.

For reports of a student carrying a weapon, in 2012-13 the number was at 353. In 2013-14, it went down to 259.
Parents said they are glad about the training.

"I think it's good the community is aware of it and partaking in it," parent Patrick Carberry said.

The conference will offer behavior modification strategies that educators can tailor to the specific needs of their students and school environment.

The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Friday at the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on Beatties Ford Road. Anyone can register to attend.