Held every fall, National Safe Schools Week is dedicated to helping students, teachers, parents and administrators raise awareness of the urgent need to keep our schools free from violence. 

More than a million students across America take a weapon to school each month, and over 1.3 million students are injured or threatened with a weapon at school each year (Source: US CDC).

From October 19-25, 2008, several organizations, including national leaders in the fields of education, violence prevention, and school safety, will host Safe School Week events that focus on empowering youth to stop violence in schools and communities.

National Safe Schools Week is a great time to spread the word about effective violence prevention programs in your community. 

One such program is SPEAK UP, a program of PAX/Real Solutions to Gun Violence, which features 1-866-SPEAK-UP, the first and only national, 24-hour hotline for students to anonymously report weapon threats.  In addition, SPEAK UP provides students with the tools and information they need to reduce weapon violence in their schools.  To find materials that help you spread the word during National Safe Schools Week, visit the Outreach and Materials sections of this Web site.