how to create a safe school environmenthow to create a safe school environment

Trusting relationships in school are the most effective means of ensuring school safety. Community organizations and schools often work side-by-side to implement various student wellbeing programs such as peer support, cybersafety, student leadership programs, bullying prevention initiatives, etc. Students are looking for authentic connection and a place where they can feel safe. Creating a Safe Classroom Environment | Education World Evaluate the safety of the school building and school grounds by examining the physical security features of the campus. . Inclusion is an essential part of creating an equal and just world, and students need to respect each others differences. Creating a Safe School and Community Environment for Youth, Part 1 - ed Lobby for safe spaces (or create them). They message me about their experiences. Notify each other when we have information that affects student safety and/or success. Schools can also use their Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) programme to equip pupils with a good understanding of risk to help them make safe and informed decisions. Government Schools' Trans Policies Aren't Keeping Children Safe resources as we work together to create a safe and supportive school environment for all students. is a mandatory step for creating a safe school environment. Effective Ways to Begin the Semester There are other ways for teachers to create an effective emotional environment. They can: Staying calm, collected, and open-minded is the foundation of providing adequate support. To bring the school community together, schools should ask the students, parents, and staff members to come up with ideas on how to promote school values. Treat each other with courtesy and respect at all times: Listen carefully to each other, even when opinions differ. Insensitive language, name-calling, bullying, harassmentall of these forms of unacceptable behavior hinder the academic and social development of young individuals. this holds true even as they grow older. A school leaders first responsibility is to foster such a climate, and parents, policymakers, and communities continually affirm that preeminent priority. Parents and caregivers should initiate a discussion about bullying and harassment if they think that their children are subject to such unacceptable behavior. It is essential to develop a school culture of respect for others, one that welcomes all students. Dont try to lead the conversation, but lean into it: What do you mean? Can you say more about that? Safe Schools | NASSP Thus the need for new quality measures has emerged because education virtually has got transformed to a more specialized field. Invest in programs and the human capital needed to support school counseling programs, comprehensive school safety initiatives, including readiness and emergency management, mental health services, substance abuse prevention, and healthy childhood development. Reward good behavior. It is important not to lose your cool in the classroom. Provide meaningful professional development and supports. When these situations pop up, freely share the question with the classroom, and ask for assistance. Your email address will not be published. . 7 tips for teachers on how to create a safe school environment By Jeffrey Marsh on May 1, 2017 in Interviews All children deserve to learn in a safe, supportive educational environment. If you arent willing to take a strong no-tolerance policy against bullying in your own school or classroom, you will never reach your students effectively. If a parent sees the school as an ally, more efficient solutions often ensue. It is private. The fundamental concepts of restorative practices are: Restorative practices focus on enhancing relationships and teaching students problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. A safe school is one where teaching and learning are not distracted; disruptions are minimized; violence, drugs, bullying and fear are not present; students are not discriminated against; expectations for behavior are clearly communicated; and consequences for infractions are consistently and fairly applied. The contents of the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments Web site were assembled under contracts from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Supportive Schools to the American Institutes for Research (AIR), Contract Number 91990021A0020. What Should Schools Do To Create a Safe and More Inclusive School Environment? Dont cut them off. Safe School Environments - Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Know what resources are available to. Making Schools Safe for Students | National Institute of Justice There are three major factors that impact your students' learning environment: Physical: Deciding how the educational environment is physically laid out and designed to support students' safety and learning. Website: https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov, Center on Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) It would also be smart to develop a new action plan that improves sub-par elements, emphasizes the strengths, and incorporates anti-biased education. Are multiple overlapping initiatives occurring in different parts of the school or being applied to different sets of students? 2. This kind of school environment can be established through various, education, prevention, and intervention strategies, Supporting the targets of bullying and harassment, Encourage Students To Report Unacceptable Behavior. Really listen. Honor their experience. And notice how deeply impactful you are every day. Chronic Absence. Make your home or school that safe place by providing activities that build "togetherness." Wellno. Remove barriers between education and local health service agencies and encourage local communities to focus on schools as the hub for delivery of mental and other health and social services. Use positive terms, like what to do, rather than what not to do. Bullied students typically: Parents and caregivers have an array of actions at their disposal when they recognize that their child is being bullied or is bullying other students. Healthy school environments can affect the attendance, concentration and performance of both students and educators. Learn more by viewing ourPrivacy Policy. Integrating positive school climate and safety efforts with crisis prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery to ensure that crisis-training and plans are relevant to the school context, reinforce learning, make maximum use of existing staff resources, facilitate effective threat assessment, and are consistently reviewed and practiced. Students are often asked to talk and write about their feelings, fears, strengths, and weaknesses. Kickstarting the conversation about the unsafe school environment is best done through open-ended questions such as: What parents should not do is encourage their children to fight back against bullies. Schools need to encourage their students to take part in making the world a better place for everybody. Healthy School Environments | US EPA Assess and identify needs, strengths, and gaps in existing services and supports, like the availability of school and community resources, and unmet student mental health needs, that address the physical and psychological safety of the school community. Allowing students to share their thoughts and opinions in a non-judgemental environment is a powerful tool for nourishing trust. How can we create spaces where our students feel understood and appreciated for who they are? Increasing the feeling of emotional safety in the classroom is best done through activities that stimulate group cohesion, such as. A Shared Responsibility That Makes a Difference. Sit for awhile. If you witness bullying or you find out its going on, you must show all the kids involved that bullying behavior has real (negative) consequences. Creating a safe school environment has to be a collective undertaking. The most effective approach to creating safe and supportive school environments requires a comprehensive, coordinated effort including schoolwide, districtwide and communitywide strategies. They should sit down with their children and try to find out: High school teachers are the backbone of our educational system. While schools take on the responsibility for students learning and skill development, its the parents, extended family members, and caregivers who act as primary role models for teaching young people appropriate behavior and healthy relationships. Designing Your Early Childhood Classroom, Newark Public Schools Celebrates #ISW2022, Richmond Public Schools Celebrates #ISW2022. Start the conversation. With proper guidance, students can be actively involved in developing and implementing anti-bullying policies and promoting positive and functional relationships. Try to affirm good behavior four to five times for every one criticism of bad behavior. Great Website Resource! Other EPA topicsfor educators, school administrators, and parents: Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). SchoolSafety.gov was created by the federal government to provide schools and districts with actionable recommendations to create a safe and supportive learning environment where students can thrive and grow. The following resources can assist school boards - immediately and over the long term - as they establish policies, practices, and relationships that enhance . And if it is true, does it automatically mean that their opinions and experiences are somehow less valuable? Students are taught to stand up for their peers who are getting hurt and intervene if they feel confident in their own skills. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. 1. When students are surrounded by their own creations instead of generic images and information, they feel at home. Dismissing what the child is saying with statements such as It will make you tougher and Lots of students are being bullied, do not worry about it will only make things worse. If a school refuses to allow a safe space that you know your students need, look for ways to assist with the club outside your school. Our schools must be safe places to learn. When parents recognize the presence of unacceptable behaviors, they should reach out to the school and try to find a solution together. Get to know the lingo. What did you do? Make sure students interact safely. Drowning Prevention Week: what children learn about water safety at school Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in detecting and replying to unacceptable behaviors such as bullying or harassment. Students should also feel and be safe everywhere on campusin the cafeteria, in the library, in the rest rooms, on the bus, and on the playground. Show students respect and encourage them to be successful. Decorate the classroom walls with student poems, essays, exams, and projects. I found out what the terms were, what folks in school were using to define themselves and their experiences of the world. With help from your class, come up with a set of classroom rules. 4. 7 tips for teachers on how to create a safe school environment. 10 Ways to Create a Safe Learning Environment Modeling vulnerability is often a difficult task but an invaluable one. Creating a Safe School Environent | UnifyHighSchool If a topic seems to be affecting a student, follow-up with him or her. If you choose to continue, then [consequence].. Registered EPA disinfectants for use against COVID-19. The same is true for any student or young person you work with. Monitor bullying hot spots in and around the building. Make expectations clear. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. 25 Strategies to Engage Early Learners, http://www.stopbullying.gov/parents/index.html, School Climate: Working Together for Success, New Year, New Look! This kind of school environment can be established through various education, prevention, and intervention strategies such as: Students who suffer bullying, harassment, and other types of unacceptable behavior have a hard time reporting these incidents to adultsthis holds true even as they grow older. Notice how hard the profession of teaching can be. . School leaders should also ensure that SROs receive specialized training to work with students and in a school setting. A Safe, Caring School Environment - Inclusive Schools had a sense of community, and. Learning occurs best in an environment that nurtures each individual to live the shared norms, values, and beliefs to grow in a safe, caring, and high-performing school community. It no longer requires physical intimidation to be a bully. Shared Informationand Shared Responsibility. Knowing what the vocabulary was went a long way to helping me show that I meant business and was ready to accept and respect whoever I was talking to. Identify existing and potential community partners, develop memoranda of understanding to clarify roles and responsibilities, and assign appropriate school staff to guide these partnerships, such as school-employed mental health professionals and principals. Environment | National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments Next post: School Climate: Working Together for Success. So I learned. Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment in Our Nation's Classrooms, School-Based Mental Health Services (Cohort 1), Mental Health Service Professional (Cohort 1), Human Trafficking Webinar Series - Building Protective Factors to Reduce Student Vulnerability to Human Trafficking, 21st Century Community Learning Centers 2023 Summer Symposium, Technical college incorporates indigenous culture into curriculum, campus. Best Strategies To Combat Unacceptable Behavior. (2019). Well-managed classrooms are the least likely to have bullying. Please note that the materials presented concerning resources available are being provided for your convenience as a potential resource for parents, students, schools, teachers, and other educators to use during this challenging time. Implementing multitiered systems of support that encompass prevention, wellness promotion, and interventions that increase in focus based on student need. Teachers might consider giving a positive greeting to students at the door as they enter the classroom each day. Does your school have a Code of Civility? Nationwide, about 20% of students ages 12-18 report being bullied during the 2017-18 school year according to data gathered by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Privacy Policy | Legal Notice |Careers | Contact Us, 2023 California School Boards Association Worst of allthat trust is not easy to rebuild. Positive greetings. Creating a Safe School Environment A safe environment starts with your school's culture. Safe Routes to School projects are eligible under the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside and the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program. Why? School leaders are in charge of putting effective strategies and policies in place for preventing bullying, harassment, and other types of unacceptable behavior. All students and staff need a safe and supportive school environment in order to succeed. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. They need to understand advocacy, current events, their rights and freedoms, the ways of the government, and the importance of making a change through activism. By M.J. Fievre October 26, 2021 FangXiaNuo / iStock Enact legislation to prohibit the use of corporal punishment as a form of discipline as it is ineffective in achieving positive outcomes for safety while increasing the risk for unintended negative consequences for children such as poor mental health, lower cognitive ability and academic achievement, and higher risk for physical abuse. Everyone has a role to play in building a positive school climate since it begins with healthy, respectful relationships throughout the school community. When a student reacts assertively to any type of unacceptable behavior, they react respectfully to all involved parties (including themselves). It is important not to lose your cool in the classroom. To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Increasing Student Access to Programs and Services, Gay-Straight/Genders & Sexualities Alliances, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Schools can promote safe and supportive environments by improving students connections to schools and increasing the support they receive from parents. The Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools, Creating healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools, Preventive Maintenance Guidance Documents for Schools, Best Practices for Reducing Near-Road Pollution Exposure at Schools, Managing Asthma in the School Environment, Managing Asthma: A Guide for Schools (PDF), Roles of state asthma programs in Implementing school-based asthma interventions, Toolkit for Safe Chemical Management in K-12 Schools, Products that meet the Safer Choice standard, Green Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting: A Toolkit for Early Care and Education, Practicing effective cleaning and maintenance (a component of the Model Program for the State School Environmental Health Guidelines), Environmental health facts about children and lead exposure, Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposure, Protecting Children from Lead Exposures (PDF), Protecting children where they learn and play, Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water, Lead Testing in School and Child Care Program Drinking Water Grant, Case studies about mercury cleanups at schools, Mold remediation in schools and commercial buildings, Mold resources for schools and commercial buildings, Learn about Polychlorinated Biphenyls(PCBs), PCBs in building materials for school administrators, building owners and managers, Integrated pest management (IPM) in schools, Tips for students and schools regarding green supplies and in the cafeteria, Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments (April 2017) (PDF), Protecting Childrens Environmental Health website, NIEHS/EPA Childrens Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Centers. If you feel like you are on the verge of having a fit, walk outside and take a breather. December 16, 2021 - 2:00 PM EST - December 16, 2021 - 3:30 PM EST OJJDP will host "Safe School and Community Environment for Youth, Part 1: Strategies and Solutions" as part of OJJDP's Preventing Youth Hate Crimes & Identity-Based Bullying Initiative webinar series. If you disagree with a student, try interacting with them as you would with an adult. Help students correct their behaviors. It cannot be overstated that everyone has a shared responsibility in creating educational environments that help students thrive and reach their full academic and social potential. Center to Improve Social and Emotional Learning and School Safety Technical Assistance Center (SEL) Employing positive and restorative school discipline practices that function in concert with efforts to address school safety and climate, are not simply punitive, are clear, consistent, and equitable, and reinforce positive behaviors. Students should also feel and be safe everywhere on campusin the cafeteria, in the library, in the rest rooms, on the bus, and on the playground. Many schools have a structure in place for this kind of disciplinary action and my advice is to use that structure without hesitation. . Bystander training proved to be the most effective in fighting against cyberbullying, where students would send supportive messages to their hurt peers. 14343-G Torrey Chase Blvd. Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment in Our Nation's Classrooms is designed to support classroom teachers, other educators, and support personnel to reduce instances of bullying behavior and to build a supportive classroom climate in which bullying is less likely to occur. Do not enact policies that would allow administrators, teachers, or anyone other than specially trained SROs to carry firearms in school. (2021). By tackling these disparities and strengthening social support, we can create an environment that protects the well-being of our children and youth during and beyond these crises," Dr Kluge added.Dissecting the findings: mental health, school closures, social support One of the new reports highlights the multifaceted nature of the pandemic's . When students are surrounded by their own creations instead of generic images and information, they feel at home. Teachers should not be exempt from this. Protective factors such as feeling connectedalso help reduce high-risk substance use and mental health issues, and help keep students from committing or being victims of violence. They should sit down with their children and try to find out: Whether any of the teachers are aware of the unacceptable behavior, Teacher Contribution to Creating a Safe School Environment. Its an environment with a culture of high expectations for students, but there is also a culture of high expectations for adultsstaff, parents and community members. 1. If you want to reach young people, you must be willing to respect them by keeping them physically and psychologically safe while they learn. Six Ways to Build More Equitable Learning Environments - Greater Good So Google for help. "As adults, it is our job to create safe and nurturing environments for our youth," she said. Strategies for Fostering an Emotionally Safe School Environment And there are a few magical things Ive learned about how to treat them. Rasberry CN, Lesesene C, Herbert A, et al. A selection of practical tips are provided to help you create safe and inclusive learning environments. School leaders are in charge of putting effective strategies and policies in place for preventing bullying, harassment, and other types of unacceptable behavior. NIJ's CSSI aims to make clear that there is no one solution to ensuring students are safe in school. This webpage provides strategies and resources to create healthy and supportive school environments and strengthen students emotional well-being. Your email address will not be published. A safe and healthy learning environment can help reduce absenteeism and tardiness among students. During the webinar, which is targeted to school communities, presenters will: Get the latest courses, resources and news. The key to creating a bully-free school is getting everyone on the same page about how to care for students, and that begins with a strong, caring community.