As metro Atlanta’s children and teens head back to school, it’s never too early to begin thinking about preparing for college.

Watch this video below featuring Majic 107.5 / 97.5′s own Myronda Dexter for some tips on preparing high schoolers for college!

Untitled from IAmGwoods on Vimeo.

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Deonte Bridges, the first Black valedictorian of Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta in over 10 years, gave an uplifting speech which should be listened to by us all.

This is a young man who went through a lot and is determined to keep on fighting to help those in his community become better.

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The first day of school can be an exciting, stressful and chaotic. Making check lists helps alleviate stress by helping to make you and your students are prepared. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends you taking the following steps before the first day of school:

• Make sure your child is registered for school. Be certain of when the first day of school is and what time the school day starts and ends.
• Be prepared for lunch time by knowing when it is, how much it costs, the process for buying lunch and if your child will need a snack during the school day.
• Make sure you’ve filled out all of the necessary health and emergency contact forms.
• Make sure your child know how he or she is getting to school. Either show them their bus stop and tell them which bus they need to take, or helping them find a safe way to walk to and from school.
• Discuss afterschool arrangements with your child so he or she knows where to go when classes get out.
• Reassure your child that it’s normal if they feel anxious before the first day of school and that other kids are probably nervous, too.
• Remind your child that starting school will be fun. They’ll see old friends and meet new ones.
• If you’re having real difficulty and your child is really trying to avoid going back to school, talk to them about the reasons. If necessary, contact the school’s principal, guidance counselor and school nurse to make sure they are aware of the problems.
• Know what to do on sick days. The day will come that your child will get sick and not be able to go to school It always helps to know the symptoms of common illnesses and what you should do about them. A fever or a cough are the usual signs, but there are others. If you suspect your child is sick, you may need to take them to a doctor for proper medications before they go back to the classroom. To learn more about the common illnesses and their symptoms, visit… www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/index.html.

Bullies are more common in schools than expected. Whether your child is being bullied or bullying, parents should deal with the problem immediately.  How parents handle these types of situations can have a huge impact on future situations and set the stage on what behavior is appropriate for students. If you suspect bullying, get involved, get active and help stop that hostile type of behavior before it goes too far.

Talk to your child about the issue of bullying.

If your child is being bullied, parents need to understand how and to what extent of the bullying is going on. There are various types: physical bullying, emotional bullying, and digital bullying. The effects of each are equally harmful. If your child is the bully, he or she may not be willing to admit to his or her misbehavior. However, don’t let them off the hook easily.

Speak with school or sports officials, not other parents.

Bullying can be a learned behavior. Going directly to a child’s parents might not always be the best course of action if they’ve picked up the behavior from home.. Professionals who deal with children on a regular basis should have training in addressing issues such as bullying; letting them take the reins here is a good idea. This is true for parents of the bullied and the bully.

Stay involved.

After you’ve addressed the issue of bullying with your child and involved adults, don’t assume that it’s over.  Stay active in the situation so that you can quickly intervene again should the situation get out of hand. Stay in contact with teachers and coaches and expect that they will do the same with you. Talk to your child regularly about school, sports and extracurricular activities.

Look for help.

If the bullying continues, it may be necessary to expand the participating parties, especially because bullying behavior has been shown to have disastrous consequences for some children. An outside professional or a group meeting may become necessary if parental and school involvement does not result in a satisfactory conclusion.

1-800-SAY-STOP

The Georgia Department of Education has created a hotline so that students or parents can anonymously report anyone who has a weapon at school, has threatened to bring a weapon to school, or has violated any other school safety rules. Use the link below to read more about the hotline.

http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/askdoe.aspx?PageReq=ASKSafety

Area schools are starting the new school year on different dates. Below is a list of start dates and web site information to help you get ready.

July 29, 2010

Rockdale County http://www.rockdale.k12.ga.us

August 2, 2010

Barrow County http://www.barrow.k12.ga.us/

Cherokee County http://www.cherokee.k12.ga.us

Henry County http://www.henry.k12.ga.us

August 5, 2010

Cobb County http://www.cobbk12.org

Douglas County http://www.douglas.k12.ga.us/

August 6, 2010

Paulding County http://www.paulding.k12.ga.us

August 9, 2010

Atlanta City Schools www.atlanta.k12.ga.us

Carroll County http://www.carrollcountyschools.com

Coweta County http://www.coweta.k12.ga.us

DeKalb County http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Fayette County http://www.fcboe.org

Forsyth County http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us

Gwinnett County http://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us

Hall County http://www.hallco.org/boe/index.php

August 12, 2010

Marietta City Schools http://www.marietta-city.org

August 23, 2010

Fulton County Schools https://www.fultonschools.org

The following tips will allow kids and parents to get back into the school routine in a stress free manner.

Shopping for new uniforms/clothes

During the summer months, children normally outgrow their current clothes and shoes. It is vitally important to take your children with you when buying new clothes. Not only does it ensure you get the correct size but it also focuses the childs mind on the fact that they will be going back to school shortly. As every other parent and child will be in the same situation, it is quite common to bump into schoolfriends on these trips to the shops, this should be used as a positive as the children will now be looking forward to being reunited with their friends. As a parent, you should be mentioning this at regular intervals from now on to get your child used to the thought.

Earlier bedtimes

There is every chance your child would have been having later bedtimes than they typically would do during term time. Start gradually getting your children to bed earlier, approximately a week before term was due to start. You should tell your children the reason for their earlier bedtimes, just in case they think they are being punished and cannot work out why. By the weekend before they are due to start back to school, children should be back into their normal school sleep routine. This will ensure they are getting enough sleep and are suitably refreshed and ready for their first day back at school.

Do the school run

It is worth taking either a drive or walk to the school a couple of days before the children are due to go back. This will re familiarise the children with the journey and also the school buildings. Remember, the school holidays are a long time away for small children so, seeing the building again will help them refocus on returning to school.

Get them ready mentally

Ask your children questions about their schooling and schoolfriends during August, this gets them back into the mindset of thinking about all aspects of schooling which will hopefully mean they hit the ground running when the first day back arrives.

It is important not to go over the top and brainwash your child into thinking about school more than they need to. This will be different for each child. Some children will relish the return to school whilst others will be extremely worried. What we, as parents mustn’t do it unduly worry our children. We need to promote school as a fun and happy place to be. If our children go back with this attitude then they will be in a much better position to learn and progress as we all want them to.

*Take your young child to the school before the first day and walk them around, showing them their classroom, the office, the restrooms, and other places that they will be needing to be able to find. Strange places can be very frightening to little children, so giving them a chance to see and familiarize themselves with the place that they will soon be spending time, you are giving them a confidence that they wouldn’t otherwise have.

*Meet the teachers that will be regularly interacting with your child and take your preschooler to meet them, as well. This will give your child a chance to become comfortable in the presence of these people and it will also give you a chance to feel that same way. In addition, you can take some time to speak with the teachers and let them know anything that you are worried about or unique things about your child, which will help them to understand how to give your child the best chance at preschool success.

*Have an attitude of excitement yourself. Your preschooler will pick up on your attitude about this coming event in his or her life. While there is nothing wrong with letting your child know that you will miss them while they’re away at school, this can have a negative impact if you go overboard. The child may spend their day worrying about you, when he or she would otherwise be able to have carefree fun in preschool. There is a delicate balance with young children and they will pick up on cues from you about how they should be feeling and responding to their own first day of preschool.

*Accompany the child to that first day of preschool. Having you there to walk him or her into the classroom will help the child to feel confident and assured with this new experience. Introduce him or her to a couple of the other children in the class before you leave. Get them settled in, but then make your departure, assuring the child that you will be coming back to get them at the end of the school day.

*Get to preschool a bit early that first day. It will be nice for your son or daughter to be able to get organized and settled in without feeling that there is a terrible rush to do so. This will also give you and your child time to greet the teacher, meet the other students, and just take a deep breath for the upcoming day.

*Be available by phone throughout the entire first day. Assure your child that if anything goes wrong and that you are needed, you will be there. The child may be worried that he or she will get hurt or that something else will happen and you won’t be available to help him or her. These children are used to having you there when you are needed and the primary source of the fear and anxiety they have is often rooted in the feeling that they are being left completely alone. Not everything is going to be a need and the child should also understand that, but a real emergency is something that you will be available to attend to.

*Send your child to the first day of preschool with something that provides them with a sense of security. You won’t want to send them with a security blanket, as this will make them stand out in the crowd of kids in a potentially negative way. But, there may be something small that they can take with them from home, which will be inconspicuous to everyone else, except the child.

The first day of preschool can be very different experiences for different children. If you want your child to have the best first day possible for him or her, you can take steps that will help ensure that this happens. The above tips for giving your child the security and excitement about that first day will make it a special, once in a lifetime experience that you can both recall fondly for years to come.

Clean up the clutter!
First, clean out book bags, lockers, and desk. Get rid of old papers, worn down pencils and old assignments. Refurbish everything to include sharpened pencils, pens, erasers, new notebooks and notebook paper and folders. During the course of the school year, everything starts to show wear and tear, and often a lot of the material is outdated. Getting rid of old stuff will help tremendously in getting schoolwork organized.

Materials
-Use a binder for each class. If you have four classes, get four binders.

-In each binder, put the same basic supplies in each. Start with a clear pencil case or plastic zip lock bag. Put items like pencils, pens, erasers, highlighters, markers and colored pencils in each one. For math, you could also place a compass and protractor if needed, as well as a pair of scissors and a pencil sharpener.

-Next, buy items that have holes that will fit the binder, such as notebook paper, folders with pockets, spiral notebooks, and report covers, add these items to each binder for each class. You can also find rulers, calculators, even hole punches that have holes in the side that can be added to a binder.

When having a binder for each class, you will always be prepared, always have a pencil and paper available, and always have a place to take notes and jot down important information. Papers pertaining to each class can be kept in pocket folders for future reference instead of loose in a book bag. All you will have to do is switch out each binder between classes, grabbing the one for the next subject. Be sure to replace items once a month, or as often as needed.

This also makes it easier to take home when doing homework, as you will have everything you need at your fingertips, pencils, study notes and other necessities.

Pocket log, journal or clipboard case
It is easy for a person to keep a small slim notebook in his or her shirt or pants pocket, or for girls to keep a diary or journal in their purse. Another alternative is to add one to the front of the binder made for each class, or tuck a small one inside a folder pocket. This is very helpful for jotting down everything, such as school assignments, homework, projects, important dates, even social events and phone numbers. Once in the habit of doing this, it will be an easy way to keep up with everything, and add to the organization of keeping up with schoolwork. Using one clipboard that has a storage compartment will also be helpful to keep important papers, study notes or other materials.

Computer online login
Some schools have online capabilities where students can log on each day and access grades, homework assignments, test and upcoming projects and events from home. This is very helpful in keeping up with school curriculums. Be sure to jot these down in a journal or assignment binder. Some schools even have homework help websites.

It is easy to organize schoolwork once a person gets into the habit of keeping a place for everything. Consequently, it may also help to improve your overall performance in school, as many teachers and professors appreciate organization in class, and having all the necessary materials to refer to for studying for test, exams or everyday assignments will help a student to excel.

Mimic familiar surroundings.
It may seem odd, but similarity helps the brain recall items that it otherwise would have more difficulty recalling. What this means is that you should try to make your test feel as much as possible like a class or study session. If you wore nice clothes to class every day, don’t wear pajamas to your test. If you always sit in the same seat, try to put yourself there during your testing hour. It seems strange, but it works.

Make sure you’re in top condition.
We think of the mental and physical aspects of ourselves as different things. Sometimes we forget that the brain is a physical part of our bodies. If it doesn’t have the things it needs, it won’t be able to function optimally. Get a good night’s sleep the night before your test, and be sure to eat a nutritious breakfast that will keep your synapses firing.

Give yourself lots of time.
Waking up ten minutes before class may have worked for you during the semester, but on testing day give yourself a little bit of extra time. If you feel rushed and stressed before your test, your brain won’t be in the best state to concentrate on the test. Instead it will still be frazzled. Get up forty-five minutes early on test day. Take a nice shower, eat a good breakfast, and leave with enough time to run through your flashcards or notes once or twice before your test starts.

Be prepared!
It’s obvious, but it needs to be said. Don’t start preparing for a test three days beforehand (or worse, the night beforehand). That’s an easy recipe for test stress. Study little by little throughout the semester, and when testing day finally rolls around you’ll have nothing to worry about. Being prepared also means double checking the morning of the test to make sure you have all the materials you may need. Check your syllabus to make sure all homework assignments are in, and run through your email inbox to make sure you didn’t miss a note from your professor giving you info on what’s expected of you.

Nobody likes taking tests. Hopefully in the future the education system will come up with a more effective way of finding out how much a student has learned. But until then, follow these tips to make sure you take the best test possible.

Generally, there are two behaviors that will let you know if your child is afraid of school: the child either directly acts out in some way when school time approaches (such as crying, defiance, or telling you outright that there is a problem at school and he doesn’t want to go) or indirectly shows signs of fear (such as frequent non-obvious illness or serious procrastinating in preparing to leave for school). If your child shows any of these signs only at school times but rarely during non-school times like vacation or weekends, fear is likely the culprit.

So what should a parent do when these school avoidance symptoms happen? And equally important, what should a parent not do? The best approach is a calm and communicative one. Rather than simply order, “You’re going to school and that’s final!”, you should take time with your child to talk and find the root of the problem. Once you know why there is fear, you should help the child in finding a solution that will make the child more feel calm and comfortable returning to school, knowing that the problem will be eliminated and that mom or dad is there to support him.

There are a variety of reasons a child will avoid school out of fear. Some are age-related, while others could be peer- or academic-related. Here are some common, open-ended questions to ask your child that will let him open up and trust you, knowing that together, you will fix the problems so he can enjoy going back to school without fear:

1. Young children: Children who are experiencing fear or anxiety about going to school and who are pre-school, kindergarten, or first grade aged may well be experiencing separation anxiety or fear of the unknown. Ask your child questions like, “Why are you feeling this way?” and “Is it because you think you will miss me during the day?” If the answer is yes, there are great solutions to this problem that will allow your child to feel protected and safe, thereby smoothing the transition into school. As the parent, you can ask the child, “What can I do to help with this?” Perhaps you could offer to go in and stay with your child a few minutes each day for the first week or two, sitting near the door quietly and slipping out with a small wave goodbye. If this isn’t an option, ask your child if he would feel better if you volunteered time at school once or twice a week, either in class or in another area. This makes the child feel safe, knowing you are nearby in case their fears overwhelm them. After a short while of this, your child should be weaned into the school experience with enthusiasm and new friends or activities, knowing it is safe and actually fun.

2. Children of any age who were previously fine with school, but who suddenly show great and constant resistance: Again, there must be a reason for this. Some questions to ask are, “Is somebody at school making you uncomfortable?”, “Is there something going on that makes you afraid to go?”, or “I know you liked school before this. What’s going on to make you change your mind?” Chances are, your child may feel threatened by peers, a bully, or even an outwardly-mean teacher. This should never be allowed. While you must pick your battles wisely according to your child’s age and own ability to overcome such obstacles, it is important that your child knows you can help them in eliminating this problem. Depending on the age and situation, some options are to have a parent-teacher conference to alert faculty of the problem you’ve discovered, have a school counselor sit down with both the peer/bully and your child to talk through the issue, or even have a rational, non-offensive discussion with the other child’s parent. Let your child know what actions you plan to take, ask if that or some other approach would make the child feel safer, then let your child know how the situation was handled, reassuring him that the source of fear should be gone. If your child is much older, talking together will help your child with strategies to solve the tension, thereby making school attractive again. No matter what the course of action is, your child needs to know he has an advocate who is making sure school is as fun and safe for him as it is for others.

3. Children of any age who were previously fine with school, but who gradually show mild resistance or simply refuse to go one day here or there: This is likely an academic issue. To prevent this, you should try to be continually informed of your child’s progress. Your guidance that academic diligence is a priority will help your child stay on track. However, in these situations, your child may be struggling with a specific subject or may have a test or paper due that day for which he is unprepared. This information is the hardest to get from your child because they’re not seeking your protection; they’re afraid of what will happen if you know. Again, communication is key. Allow your child to level with you, sending the message that if this is the issue, you will do what you can to help as long as he does his part. Some questions to ask are, “Do you have a test today?”, “Did you finish your project?”, or “Are you having trouble in one of your classes?” These answers will let you, your child, and possibly the teacher know that there is a problem, allowing you as a pair or group to work together to get past it. If trouble in a class or failing status is the issue, do express your dissatisfaction with the issue, but also help find a solution such as tutoring, helping with homework, or buying a little supplemental material to use at home that suits the child’s interest (such as a math CD for a computer-buff who is struggling with math using the textbook alone). If your child’s reason is sudden and test- or assignment-related, you must express the unacceptability of the situation, let the child know that it does happen, and ensure the child’s arrival at school to face the situation he created. You can’t allow him to get away with irresponsibility. Accountability is important and is a very good tool in ensuring the child doesn’t repeat this mistake, thereby eliminating fear from experience.

If your child is afraid to go to school, there is certainly a reason. A fearful response doesn’t happen without a causative factor. Always keep the lines of communication open. Don’t order the child to go face a situation alone which he didn’t create. Help your child by coming up with mutually-agreeable solutions on which you will both act to solve problems. And if your child didn’t live up to his responsibility, make him face it since he caused it, but make sure he knows that there won’t be any reason to be scared when he does his part the next time. With any of these strategies, you’re building rapport, letting your child know he’s not alone, and raising him to see your approach to a good solution, thereby teaching him to be proactive with good problem-solving skills. If your child knows how to avoid or eliminate fearful situations, he will welcome the academic environment and grow successfully.

Get to it as soon as possible

Unless there is a good reason that you cannot, the best thing to do is to start on your homework as soon as you get home. Have a drink and a snack if necessary, then just sit down and complete your work. You will then have the rest of the evening free to relax and you won’t have the threat of incomplete work hanging over you.

Prioritize

If you have a lot of homework in one go, then you will need to prioritize according to the date it is due in and the difficulty level. If you leave the homework you know is going to be the hardest until last, you will be tired and find it even more difficult. Do it while you are still fresh. If it helps, make a list of your homework tasks and tick them off as you go along.

Ask for help

If you are struggling with the amount of homework that you have, or with a particular subject, then speak to your teachers and/or parents. They should be able to suggest ways of coping and explain particularly difficult concepts to you. There is a lot of information on the Internet, but it often helps to have someone explain something to you in person.

Find a space without distractions

You need somewhere quiet in order to complete your homework. Doing it in front of the television will result in sloppy work, as will constantly being disturbed by siblings. If you share a bedroom, speak to your parents about setting up a desk in a corner of their bedroom for you to use. If there really is no solution, then consider going to the library or a friend’s house.

Have books and stationery conveniently close

Ideally, you need to have everything that you need with you as you are doing your homework – including books and stationery. If you are constantly having to walk around the house looking for things that you need, it will lengthen the amount of time you need to spend on it. If you have to leave the house to find a place to study, then make sure everything is packed into a bag.

Parents should show an interest

You may feel that it is unnecessary for your parents to monitor your homework, particularly once you are at high school, and you certainly don’t want them standing over your shoulder all the time. However, most parents would appreciate an update on what you are doing, so that they can support you where necessary. Don’t forget they are there to help, not hinder.

These habits will set you in good stead, not just for completing your homework, but for the rest of your life.

How do you pack a school lunch that your child will eat?

Children have distinct likes and dislikes, especially when it comes to food. The best homemade lunches are the ones that have the foods your child really likes. If there are certain foods your child will not eat at home, do not send those foods in their lunch. If they do not eat it at home, they will not eat it at school.

When packing your child’s lunch, avoid packing the sandwiches you enjoy or enjoyed as a kid, unless you are certain your child likes it. Your favorite school sandwich may have been ham and cheese but your daughter might prefer ham and mustard without the cheese. It is important to pack nutritious foods in our children’s lunches but if we know they hate raisins, do not send raisins. Instead, opt for something they do like, perhaps sliced apples.

The best way to pack a school lunch your child will eat as well as love is to get your child involved with the lunch-making process. During summer break, pay attention to which sandwiches and foods your child really enjoys that also meet your nutritional requirements. Keep a running list of these foods. Before the first full week of school, talk to your child about what he or she may like to have for lunch at school. Bring out your list and see which items your child is still enthusiastic for and which ones he now considers boring.

Brainstorm ideas for lunches and create a list of parent and child approved lunch items. Keep the list posted in the kitchen. When it comes time for lunch packing, a quick glance at the list will ensure that the lunch packed will contain food your child will enjoy and eat. This list can be kept on hand for reference when you are making out your shopping list. It can also have items added or deleted as favorite foods come in and out of favor for your child.

Be aware that some packaged foods and juices are difficult for children to open. Always make sure your child can open each part of her lunch. Even if she likes the food, she won’t be able to eat it if she cannot get it open. Likewise, if you know your child is a slow eater, do not pack lunches that have more than he can eat during his allotted lunch time.

When packing a school lunch, do not forget to add a treat or a bit of fun. While a healthy lunch is important, treats in moderation can really make a child smile at lunch time. You do not need to pack a full-size candy bar or jumbo bag of chips but a snack-size piece of candy or a small container of caramel dip for apple slices can make a kid’s day. If you have baked cookies the night before, send one for your child’s dessert to let her know that mom or dad was thinking of her. If she always sits at lunch with the same best friend, send two and a note telling her the second cookie is for her to share with her friend.

Other ways to add fun to your child’s packed lunch is by enclosing a small note or card. It can be as simple as a sticky note with a big smiley face. Younger children may also enjoy a cheerful sticker tucked into their lunchbox. Another fun way to leave a note, and this has even amused middle school kids, is to write a fun message or quote on the skin of a banana packed in the lunch. If your sports fan missed last night’s scores, write them on the banana. You can even wish them good luck on an upcoming afternoon test.

If your family does a lot of rushing around in the morning, prepare and pack your child’s school lunch the night before. This way you are sure you have taken the time to pack a lunch they will appreciate and enjoy. Also be sure to know your school’s lunch policies. Some schools restrict certain foods due to students with food allergies.

Homemade lunches do not have to be ho-hum. When you pack a school lunch with your child’s preferred foods and a little fun, you can be sure the food will be enjoyed and not trashed.

Bullies push their targets around for a variety of reasons, and whether it’s direct or otherwise, the most damaging component of bullying is the physical and/or psychological abuse that occurs over a period of time. Methods of bullying include name-calling, threatening mobile phone messages and e-mails, racial slurs, willfully destroying somebody else’s property, and of course, physical violence like punching, kicking and slapping.

Why do children behave this way? The answers can be hard to pin down but more often than not it seems to stem from the lack of a loving, supportive family at home. The bully might come from a household in which everyone is always angry and where there is little empathy or respect. Physical punishment is a recurring theme in dysfunctional households and bullies will simply copy this behaviour because they think it’s normal. They often defend their actions by saying they were provoked and have little anxiety or fear. Aggression rules in many schools and boys turn to bullying more than girls. That’s not to say that girls are any less prone to bullying.

The short term consequences of bullying can be more than just hurt feelings and a few bruises. Children who are being made miserable at school over a long period of time because of a bully will experience depression and post traumatic stress disorder as an adult. Some might take their own lives. The act of being bullied can increase students isolation because their friends don’t want to be bullied themselves or lose their position in the social hierarchy.

Bullies will not have an easier time of it either. Sooner or later they will end up in trouble of some kind. In school they might think that bullying makes them tough but eventually they will have few friends if they have any at all. When they grow up bullies are more likely to commit criminal acts and have serious legal problems.

There are few programs in place in schools today to effectively deal with bullies. Who is to blame, exactly? No single individual can be held accountable for letting bullying tactics go unpunished. Schools are underfunded. They have little support from the government and are so overburdened with work that bullies can continue their campaigns of terror virtually unnoticed. All too often and in too many schools the following scenarios occur. First, it’s ignored, which makes it worse. Second, the bully is punished, which makes it worse. Third, the bullied child is punished, which makes it worse. Finally, the bully is kicked out of school, which passes the problem to somebody else.

These don’t address the root of the problem. The goal here should be to increase teacher and parent awareness through conferences and PTA meetings. Teachers can work with students to develop class rules against bullying. Students should be encouraged to help victims of bullying and make it clear this behaviour is not acceptable.

If your child is being bullied gather as much information as possible. Ask him/her what happened and if there were any adults around when it occurred. Don’t hesitate to call the principal if you feel it’s necessary. Do not contact the parents of the bullying child yourself. Let the school handle that. If your child has been hurt physically, call the school immediately. Talk to them and decide if the police should get involved. Whatever you do, do not under any circumstances encourage your child to fight the bully. Parents should be instrumental in stopping violence above all else.