Behavioral Warning Signs with Troubled Youth
LANCASTER, CA – District and school administrators pride themselves
with the proactive working relationship they have with law enforcement personnel
to ensure a safe learning environment for their students and staff. In addition
to what the district does to provide safe campuses, it is equally important
that students, parents, and community members take an active role by being
aware of the early warning signs associated with troubled youth.
The district spends approximately three million dollars on campus safety
for the eight high schools and alternative programs. This amount includes
the contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department under
which nine deputies and a sergeant provide services.
"Behavioral warning signs are evident with troubled youth. As a community
we need to become more sensitive to this. Protecting our youth is everyone’s
responsibility," noted Superintendent Robert Girolamo.
National School Safety Center has identified the following behaviors, which
could indicate a youth’s potential for harming him/herself or others.
* Has a history of tantrums and uncontrollable angry outbursts.
* Characteristically resorts to name calling, cursing, or abusive language.
* Habitually makes violent threats when angry.
* Has previously brought a weapon to school.
* Has a background of serious disciplinary problems at school and in the community.
* Has a background of drug, alcohol or other substance abuse or dependency.
* Is on the fringe of his/her peer group with few or no close friends.
* Is preoccupied with weapons, explosives, or other incendiary devices.
* Has previously been truant, suspended, or expelled from school.
* Displays cruelty to animals.
* Has little or no supervision and support from parents or a caring adult.
* Has witnessed or been a victim of abuse or neglect in the home.
* Has been bullied and/or bullies or intimidates peers or younger children.
* Tends to blame others for difficulties and problems she/he causes herself/himself.
* Consistently prefers TV shows, movies, music, or Internet web sites expressing
violent themes and acts.
* Prefers reading materials dealing with violent themes, rituals, and abuse.
* Reflects anger, frustration, and the dark side of life in school essays
or writing projects.
* Is involved with a gang or an antisocial group on the fringe of peer acceptance.
* Is often depressed and/or has significant mood swings.
* Has threatened or attempted suicide.
These characteristics have been derived from tracking school-associated violent
deaths in the United States and serve as an alert to school administrators,
teachers, support staff, students, parents, and community members.
