S.A.V.E program to curtail violence at Martin Middle

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — No one wants their child to get into a fight or even for their child to bully another student.
That is why one local middle school is trying to promote a safer school with an new initiative.
It's called S.A.V.E. -- Schools Against a Violent Environment.
Martin Middle School introduced the program to parents earlier this month and is hoping it curtails student violence on campus.
"I would say a good number of fights last year, a good number of assaults last year and possibly the year before," Martin Middle School Assistant Principal Lynda Ramirez said. "That I just felt we had to do something about it. I just felt that school was not a place for violent behavior -- it's just not."
S.A.V.E. was created by Ramirez.
"I have to convince students that getting involved in any kind of physical altercation is really not the way to solve a problem," she said.
After working at the school for three years, Ramirez said it is a response to a need.
She said all too often, students at Martin handle conflict in an aggressive or violent manner.
"So it's everyday, we model, we demonstrate, we remind our students," she said. "If you have "beef" for lack of a better word of if you know that there's conflict between you or there's conflict between two of your friends -- that you bring it our attention and you let us know so we can help you resolve it."
Right now this is the only school within the Corpus Christi Independent School District that has adopted this initiative. Ramirez said she hopes other schools join in.
CCISD Chief of Police Kirby Warnke said campuses are finding unique ways to interact with their students.
"It may not be as catchy as something like S.A.V.E. which is a great, kind of catchy way to say we are interacting with our students and redirecting them in a positive manner," Warnke said.
He said when it comes down to it, middle school is tough.
"We're transitioning from elementary to young adulthood," Warnke said. "That's why I think it's great that the S.A.V.E. program is identifying, addressing students and giving them alternative means to resolve their conflicts is a great thing."
Ramirez said so far S.A.V.E. has been well received by parents. She said she hopes she can also get the community to support it because every day she is actively working on convincing students that S.A.V.E. is the best approach to conflict. Ramirez said she hopes that conversation continues at home.