Feb. 6 meeting to address reducing school violence

By Joe McGehee
Staff Writer

Voices of Rockford will host a “School Violence and Safety Meeting” at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (1829 N. Rockton Ave.) at noon, Saturday, Feb. 6. Parents, students and citizens concerned with making District 205 campuses violence-free zones are encouraged to attend and bring their own ideas about making schools safer for students.

Saturday’s meeting will feature a guest speaker who will address issues facing Rockford’s citizens, as well as its schools, with regard to gang activity and gang violence. There will also be a brainstorming exercise geared toward generating further ideas to improve safety in area schools, allowing those in attendance an opportunity to offer their own suggestions and perspectives.

Voices of Rockford’s previous meeting, held Jan. 14, was attended by more than 30 participants who voiced their concerns regarding gang presence in District 205 schools and its effects on student safety. Many in attendance also voiced concern regarding the level and quality of education a student could receive if he or she were scared while at school.

Those who attended the Jan. 14 meeting were divided into groups to develop ideas about immediate means of reducing school violence and the presence of gangs on campuses. Ideas stemming from the January meeting have been assembled and categorized, and copies will be made available at the Feb. 6 meeting.

For more information about the meeting, call (815) 962-8992.