Moorpark students promote peace on campus
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

REACHING OUT- Kelli Stevens, a member of the Teens for Humanity Club at Moorpark High School, offers a yellow balloon o a fellow student during the lunch period last Friday. The club organized a "Peace on Campus Day" in remembrance of the lives ost at Virginia Tech and Columbine, and to strengthen commitment o peaceful communities.

While administrators and teachers were reviewing school safety procedures at local campuses, Moorpark High School students organized a special event last Friday in remembrance of the Virginia Tech University victims and in support of peace among students.

"Peace on Campus Day" is a yearly affair that began about eight years ago after the Columbine High School shooting incident, according to members of the school's Teens for Humanity club who organized the event.

The proactive group of teens placed yellow decorations throughout Moorpark High to publicize the event. On Friday, they were out distributing yellow balloons to their peers to symbolize peace and as a tribute to those who lost their lives to school violence.

The event strengthens commitment to peaceful communities, said Moorpark Unified School District Superintendent Ellen Smith.

"The rain disintegrated the decorations but it didn't dampen the spirit of the event," said Kelli Stevens, the club's vice president.

The Virginia Tech massacre is "a sad reminder that it's important to reach out to others," said Sarah Levin, club president. "We approach kids and try to get them involved, especially the ones who are alone," Levin said. "We just want to make this a better place to go to school."

The Teens for Humanity club also offers peer mediation and organizes special events during the school year to raise awareness about domestic violence and drunk driving.

"We're here because we want to help people," said Calvin McGill, club treasurer.

The club is open to all students and promotes team building through social action and good works, said Karla Rodriguez, who advises the group. The mission of Teens for Humanity is to provide a safe and accepting place for students who may feel like they don't fit in anywhere else, she said.

As a student assistance counselor at Moorpark High School, Rodriguez spends her time listening and is ready to offer supportive services to all students at Moorpark High, she said.

In light of the Virginia Tech tragedy, students and faculty in Moorpark High have been discussing the importance of being vigilant of people who seem to be lonely or isolated, Rodriguez said.

Moorpark schools work

continually to prevent violence

In the wake of the deaths, local school officials said they're reminded of the tragedies that took place in the last several years at schools in Colorado, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

The most recent tragedy is a reminder to take time to contemplate the preciousness of peace and strengthen resolve to prevent violence at home, at school and in the community, said Smith in a letter to parents.

Even thought incidents of school violence are rare, Moorpark schools continually take proactive measures to keep local campuses safe, Smith said.

The district has a Safe School Plan, which includes both security and prevention strategies, Smith said.

Key elements of the plan include controlled entry to facilities, campus security personnel and communication systems, a school resource officer and close communication with Moorpark Police Department.

The district also has a strict policy prohibiting bullying, harassment and aggressive conduct. Students and staff practice regular drills and are taught to respect others through peer mediation and conflict resolution programs.

Moorpark schools also have counseling and interventions to address behavior management and improve social skills.

"An extremely important element is that everyone in the school community understands the important role they play in reporting unusual or concerning behaviors," Smith said.

"I'm especially proud of the city colaborating with the school district in supplying the resource officer," said Ron Laguardia, school board member.

That position has blossomed into one where the officer is more of a counselor and trusted ally to many of the students at the high school, he said, adding the district may want to expand the hours of that position next year.

The school district also has a no-tolerance bullying policy and the district takes all reports of bullying seriously. The Virginia Tech shooter had been bullied, which may have contributed to his horrific behavior, Laguardia said.

"Teachers and staff do all that it can to educate our students to avoid such behavior, to expect consequences of such behavior, and to report any bullying behaviors to their teachers and staff," LaGuardia said.