SR0299 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0299 LRB101 11791 ALS 58826 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, There are many competing theories on why violence plagues our nation and why mass shooters repeatedly target our schools; and

WHEREAS, Many acts of violence begin with feelings of detachment, desolation, and isolation; and

WHEREAS, Part of the shock of any mass shooting is the helplessness we all feel afterwards; and

WHEREAS, It is critical for children to have relationships and be connected with adults and other children, and many children are missing these powerful connections and relationships outside of school; and

WHEREAS, These children may be in danger of slipping through the cracks and may resort to violence to be heard; and

WHEREAS, A greeting, a smile, or a show of genuine concern for a disconnected student can make a difference in that child's life; and

WHEREAS, The Know Me, Know My Name movement is an effort by educators to identify individual students in a school who have "little to no" connections with staff or others; and

WHEREAS, The Know Me, Know My Name movement is an effort to build relationships between disconnected youth and educators, and in the process, realize better attendance and increase academic success; and

WHEREAS, In the San Juan, California School District, where this was implemented, they found that student attendance increased and grades improved; and

WHEREAS, The Know Me, Know My Name movement is a cost-free way for educators to identify and make contact with children who are in danger of slipping through the cracks at school; and

WHEREAS, A Know Me, Know My Name plan can be carried out during an existing school in-service; and

WHEREAS, After disconnected students are identified, teachers and other school officials make a concerted effort to establish connections with these children; and

WHEREAS, These connections will help to lead away from violence and toward compassion, kindness, connection, community, and resilience and may save lives in the process; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage all school districts in Illinois to adopt a Know Me, Know My Name plan to identify disconnected youth in their schools and start on a path to build relationships with those children that leads away from violence and toward compassion and belonging.