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How Families and Students Can Take the Lead in Creating Safer School Environments

September 16, 2014

By:   Mary Pat King, National Parent Teacher Association, with Erin Reiney, Health Resources and Services Administration

Mary Pat King is the Director of Programs and Partnerships at the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA). In this role, Mary Pat has helped develop new strategies for engaging parents and students as leaders in efforts to improve school climate, and as a result, prevent bullying in communities nationwide.

The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is committed to ensuring all children can learn in a safe school environment that is free of bullying. Research indicates that the most effective bullying prevention efforts build a culture of caring and respect throughout the school community, rather than focusing attention only on children who bully and those who are bullied……..

Strong family-school partnerships translate into healthier school environments and better student outcomes. Families know that bullying isn’t an isolated problem, and they’re eager to find ways to work with youth and educators in bullying prevention efforts.

The following is a five-step approach and helpful tips for improving the overall school climate and prevent bullying.:

• Building a team. Invite students, teachers, community members and parents to work together in improving school climate.
• Assessing the current school climate. ………  Develop benchmarks, gain a better understanding of the perspective of students, families, teachers and other school personnel, and chart progress over time.
• Engaging the school community. Bring student and school leaders together for a discussion and brainstorm on ways to improve peer environments for students. Present the findings from your assessment, as well as share the latest research and best practices……
• Developing an action plan. Create a plan that educates and empowers families, students and the broader community about ways to create more positive school climates full of healthy peer relationships.
• Empowering students, families and the community. Sustain your efforts over time by continuing the dialogue with students, families and the community so that all commit to a shared responsibility for a positive school climate and healthy peer relationships.    

Parents and teachers play an important role in mentoring students to make positive changes to their school and other peer environments that result in a more supportive student experience for all. Parents and teachers can have a profound impact on students, schools and the broader community.

Take the First Step

Extracted from website : StopBullying.gov