by La Risa Lynch
As kids head back to school, community and political leaders searched for ways to stop the violence that claimed 27 Chicago Public Schools students last school year.

They sought input from residents, community groups, school officials, police and the youth who are most at-risk for gun violence.

The Chesterfield Community Council along with state Rep. Constance Howard and state Senator Donne E. Trotter held a public hearing Aug. 18th at Tuley Park, 501 E. 90th St.

The goal was to glean information from residents on what causes violence, ways to combat it and how it affects communities. Information from the hearing would be used to draft legislation or public policy.

“We just think that there got to be something done,” Howard said. “We cannot sit and let kids get shot every single day … without some kind of action that we hope will be the answer.”

Eli Washington, Chesterfield Community Council chair, hoped to get support to revive a measure that teaches conflict resolution in schools. Washington and Carolyn Wortham came up with the proposed legislation out of frustration of seeing youth getting killed.

Wortham’s son, Chicago Police Officer Thomas Wortham IV was killed in an apparent robbery over his motorcycle in May.

“If nothing more, these kids need to understand that violence is not the way,” Washington said.

He added the proposed curriculum focused on alternative strategies to help youths “mentally think [their] way through things … so not to get into a fight.”

The proposed bill would require teachers to teach conflict resolution three weeks out the school year. The bill, House Bill 5400, was introduced earlier this year, but was opposed by teacher groups. Washington noted the unions cited lack of time to incorporate such a course among their other duties.

The Chicago Public Schools is already working to deter youth violence. Its initiative aimed to identify students likely to be victims of violence and provide resources to address their needs.

CPS’s Director of Safety and Security Michael Shields noted last school year saw 27 students killed by gun violence and five this summer.

CPS did research over a five year period to determine likely victims of gun violence. CPS pinpointed 6,000 students who fell into that category.

These students, Shields noted, have low attendance and aren’t on track to graduate high school. He explained CPS partnered with community groups to provide mentors to these students.

Additionally, CPS implemented its culture of calm program in several schools earlier this year. Shields noted that while the atmosphere in some schools is respectful, tension exists in others.

Under this program, community groups will work with school staff and students to change that culture. Also, CPS plans to create safe passage routes around schools to stop before and after school violence.

Shields announced the creation of school safety centers. CPS will work closely with the police department to give residents and students an chance to talk to police about particular community issues. The effort is to give the police a heads up “so they are not caught off guard” to deal with potential conflicts among gangs or students, Shields explained.