LISD helps students deal with violence
By LISA CARNLEY Staff Writer

O rtralla Mosley's death in 2003

at age 15 served as a wake-up call to school districts and Texas legislators that something must be done about violence in schools and protecting children.

An Austin Reagan High School sophomore at the time of her death, Miss Mosley was stabbed in the back five times by another Reagan student -- her 16-year-old former boyfriend -- and she died in the halls of the campus.

The victim and members of her family and church asked for help numerous times, but their pleas were not taken seriously.

In response, lawmakers created House Bill 121, which mandates that every school district adopt and implement a dating-violence policy.

That open-ended mandate means, though, that a school district is required to do as little as provide informational pamphlets for its students.

But the Lampasas Independent School District has taken a much broader approach to ensure that students in grades six through 12 know where they can turn for help and expect a response when they do.

Tony Peter, LISD assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and school counselors and the Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center in Marble Falls are working jointly to provide classroom materials and a series of presentations so students understand that dating violence -- and other forms of violence -- are unacceptable, and that students can seek resources for help on their campuses.

"We are trying to better prepare our students to deal with situations that could arise," said Peter.

Sixth-grade curriculum in social studies will cover self-esteem, bullying and anger issues. "Anger is OK, it's just a matter of how you deal with that anger, and offering a healthy, non-violent release," said Alyssa Swain, Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center prevention educator. She will present the curriculum to LISD students.

Seventh- and eighth-grade material will be taught during physical education classes.

Seventh-graders will deal with anger-management skills, conflict resolution and respect. "Everyone has to know how to give and get respect in every relationship," said Ms. Swain.

Other topics include rumors, gossip and assertiveness. "Students must know how to stand up for themselves, and how to give and get respect," she said.

Eighth-grade students will learn about gender stereotypes and how they affect their relationships with others, as well as sexual harassment. "There is a line between flirting and sexual harassment that shouldn't be crossed," Ms. Swain added.

Discussion also will include specific steps for handling situations in which someone is being sexually harassed.

High school health curriculum will focus on dating violence and personal boundaries. The components of healthy and unhealthy relationships and respect in relationships will be discussed, along with building self-esteem.

"The focus will be on healthy relationships," said the crisis center educator. Class will end with discussion about sexual assault -- consent versus coercion.

Teachers will be given training to teach them what to look for and how to help students, said Peter. Principals, counselors and administrators already have gone through the program.

"We have a good support system through the Family Crisis Center," Peter said. "We hope to have a continued relationship and resources from them for our counselors and for them to be able to provide help should our students need it."