[BHS etree] SUPT: Forum: Preventing Violence Among Teens - April 20th

[bhs at idiom.com]

Contact: Julie Sinai 981-7100, or Mark Coplan 644-6320

A reminder about the forum on Thursday:

Topic: Preventing Violence Among our Teens
What:  Community/parent forum
When:  April 20, 7:00-8:30 P.M.
Where: Longfellow School 

Mayor Tom Bates and the City Manager's Office, in conjunction with
the Berkeley Unified School District, the Berkeley Police Department,
and Children's Hospital, are sponsoring a community forum on
Thursday, April 20 on the prevention of teen violence. You are
invited to join us for a panel discussion with concrete
recommendations from local experts.

Topics:

1.  Age-appropriate teen behaviors and what parent/guardians can do
to support their teen (Dr. Barbara Staggers, Director of Adolescent
Health at
CHO)

-Teens - experimentation and developing independence -Importance of
parent-teen communication -How to identify if your teen is heading
toward or engaging in risky behaviors -Setting limits and guidelines
-Seek support early? pediatricians, schools, faith-based, Youth
Services BPD 

2. Reality check and update on youth safety issues (Berkeley Police
Dept) -Out-of-control parties - including issues of communication via
text messaging & internet, supervision; UC Campus parties; how to
have safe parties; what can be expected by Police in response to
incidents;

-Realities (and myths) of gang-related activity in Berkeley
-Prevalence of weapons -Prevalence of alcohol and drugs

3. Youth Voice

-What are teens most concerned about
-What do teens think the adults in the community need to do 

4. Existing resources available to families and teens (BUSD, HHS and
Parks & Recreation) -Violence Prevention and Conflict Resolution in
the schools -BHS Health Center and Mental Health in middle
schools-health consultation, prevention and peer education, direct
service

-After School programs and Mentoring for Teens - RISE, All 3 middle
schools, Sports,YMCA, Stiles Hall, Multicultural Institute

-Drop-in Intramural Recreation programs
-Parent Support and Training (BMH, BHS Parent Resource Center, YAP)
-Safe places to go: movies, organized dances at school, teen nights
at community centers; faith-based teen programs 

5. Questions/Comments from the Audience (30 - 60 minutes) 


For more information, call the City of Berkeley Mayor's Office -
Julie Sinai 981-7100, or the BUSD Public Information Officer  - Mark
Coplan 644-6320.


==========================================

Mark A. Coplan
Public Information Officer, BUSD
510-644-6320
Mark_Coplan at berkeley.k12.ca.us
Berkeley Unified School District
2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, Ca 94704-1180