Violence in today’s schools is too often a headline in the national news.
The FCCLA Students’ Taking On Prevention (STOP) the Violence program empowers youth with attitudes, skills, and resources in order to recognize, report, and reduce youth violence. Whether it is fighting, making threats, or bullying, violence has forced school officials to take drastic steps to address this concern. Millions of dollars have been spent on metal detectors, hidden cameras in the classrooms and hallways, and security guards. Dollars spent on security measures such as these are not spent on additional teachers, salaries, advanced technology, and facilities. But what can the students themselves do to STOP the Violence?
FCCLA members use peer education to:
- reach their peers with violence prevention education
- recognize warning signs of potential youth violence
- encourage young people to report troubling behavior
- collaborate with school and community resources to address youth violence
- develop and implement local action projects to reduce the potential for violence in their school.
Project ideas:
- FCCLA week of activities for Pass it Forward
- Mix it up week- sit by someone new in the cafeteria
- Rachel’s Challenge- Friends of Rachel
- Show a movie with a peace and antiviolence message and discuss it
- Plan a peace garden at your community
- Develop a school announcement anti-bullying message campaign
Awards
FCCLA offers national recognition to chapters that complete STOP the Violence projects. This honor includes cash awards and special recognition at the National Leadership Conference, online and in Teen Times magazine. Chapters apply online for recognition for their hard work and innovative projects with the National STOP the Violence Program Award Application.
- High School Award — $1,000
- Middle School Award — $1,000
- Runner-Up Award — $500
Deadline
Applications must be submitted online to FCCLA national headquarters by March 1. The online award system will automatically close March 1, 11:59 p.m. EST.
Partners:
- CareerSafe Online – The CareerSafe® Online Cyber Safety Awareness Training series provide students with basic awareness training to recognize and respond to cyberbullying situations.
