Congratulations to Keith High School, which is the winner of this year’s Safe School Challenge.

As the winners, their school had the fewest incidents of violence and fighting of all the schools in Dallas County.

The student body received a party as their reward and the school received a check for $500.

The Safe School Challenge was initiated by the Dallas County District Court, which handles juvenile criminals.

Organizers said since the Challenge was extended in Dallas County, juvenile offenses – mostly fights – and overall violent juvenile crime dropped nearly 40 percent.

High schools and middle schools were issued the challenge of resolving their differences without resorting to violence.

That meant being taught to walk away when a situation was unfolding, or being taught other nonviolent means of dealing with confrontation.

School officials at other schools throughout the county reported fewer incidents as well.

We applaud the Safe Schools Challenge. Anything that decreases violence and fights in schools is a plus.