Schools Chief Urges Participation in Area’s ‘Teach Peace’ Campaign

Ventura County Supt. of Schools Charles Weis is encouraging all area students, teachers and parents to join a countywide “Teach Peace” campaign, which kicks off Oct. 1 during School Safety Month.

During October, the Ventura County Family Violence Prevention Coalition is asking schools, churches, synagogues, community groups and public agencies to highlight activities that help teach peace. The coalition also has encouraged local governments to adopt proclamations about the Teach Peace campaign.

“It shines a light on those activities that are going on, which reinforces that those are positive things, and sends a signal to those who aren’t doing enough,” Weis said.

Weis said he wants all school boards in the county to approve proclamations designating October as School Safety Month and Jan. 15-19 as Yellow Ribbon Week, during which students, teachers and parents would wear yellow ribbons to show their commitment to safe schools.

The proclamation says all schools should show a “visible commitment to teach peace in order to have safe and healthy communities now and for future generations.”

Weis said that means teaching conflict resolution and peer mediation, as well as creating alternatives, such as after-school activities, for kids who may turn to violent behavior.