The Student SafeTeam is the eyes and ears of the school.   One student stated, "No one can really create change except us.  Adults talk about what they can do to stop school violence, but the truth is, the solution cannot come from outside our peer group.  We must be taught how to take make changes, and then trusted to find solution that work for us."

How the Student SafeTeam Functions:
The student SafeTeam should be the driving force of all activities which happen for SafeTeam. Specialized training in peer mediation, conflict- resolution, listening skills, mental health, substance abuse, and violence prevention -as well as education in other areas students see happening with their peers- help students become gatekeepers for safety.  After their training, students can: conduct forums, perform skits, create posters, make announcements, or fulfill any other idea they come up with to educate their fellow students.  The students may also choose to use the information they learn to watch out for their friends.  The student SafeTeam should be a diverse group of students across clicks, socio-economic status, racially, religiously, etc.

Students involved with SafeTeam will feel good about making a difference in their school community and the lives of other teens by using their voice and gifts to:

• Design special programs, presentation and training for classmates to address their diverse concerns and needs
• Plan events, discuss student concerns and communicate with other SafeTeam participants during weekly meetings
• Participate in presentations to classmates and school staff about SafeTeam and the programs' role in keeping students and the school safe
• Serve as peer mediators to friends and classmates who need a special person to listen and offer constructive suggestions about where and how to help
• Plan school community forums to address school safety issues and individual student needs
• Participate with all other SafeTeam planning members, working together on the ongoing design and implementation of the program in school

When each SafeTeam is getting started, or at the beginning of the school year, the group is asked what they see going on with with peers.  The list includes: drugs and alcohol, peer conflicts, abusive family relationships, dating violence, teen pregnancy, eating disorders, depression and suicide, self-mutilation, bullying, racial issues, gangs, sexual abuse, transition periods, communication, respect, self-esteem, school violence, stress and the list goes on. Student SafeTeams generally spend about a month on a topic.