BUILDING A POSITIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE

Presented by Leisa-Anne Smith, Esq. New Jersey State Bar Foundation

BUILDING A POSITIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE

ADDRESSING BULLYING, TEASING, CONFLICT RESOLUTON AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Education

New Jersey State Bar Foundation, 2011

Staggering Statistics

By age 24, 60% of identified bullies have a criminal record Children named by classmates as bullies by age 8 were often bullies throughout their lives Bullying occurs once every 7 minutes Only 25% of students report that teachers intervene in bullying situations, while 71% of teachers feel they always intervene
New Jersey State Bar Foundation, 2011

Bullying Commission Report The Bottom Line:

Strengthening school culture and climate is the single best way to reduce HIB in schools

New Jersey State Bar Foundation, 2011

The L.W. Case

Bullying and peer harassment is a function of school climate. The responsibility of school systems to eliminate discrimination and protect students from harm compels school districts to adopt a school-wide, comprehensive approach to eradicate bullying and peer harassment.
New Jersey State Bar Foundation, 2011

Disjointed to Effective: A focus on a connected PROCESS not disjointed PROGRAMS

A comprehensive approach deals with bullying and normal conflict Empower students: Make the Silent Majority the Caring Majority Social-Emotional and Character Development
New Jersey State Bar Foundation, 2011

School Climate - Relationships

Student to Student
Student to Adult Adult to Adult

New Jersey State Bar Foundation, 2011

CLIMATE FOR STUDENTS

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A physical environment that is welcoming and conducive to learning A social environment that promotes communication and interaction An affective environment that promotes a sense of belonging and self-esteem An academic environment that promotes learning and self-fulfillment

CLIMATE FOR ADULTS Should it be any different?

A physical environment that is welcoming and conducive to learning A social environment that promotes communication and interaction

An affective environment that promotes a sense of belonging and selfesteem

An academic environment that promotes learning and self-fulfillment

A Climate for Adult Learning

Civil Congenial Collegial

New Jersey State Bar Foundation, 2011

CONFUSION: BULLYING OR NORMAL CONFLICT?

What is the Difference? Embrace a common definition

WHEN DO WE USE CONFLICT RESOLUTION STEPS? (Normal Conflict)

New Jersey State Bar Foundation, 2011

SCHOOL SAFETY (Climate) TEAM

Focus on creation of a positive climate Work with the anti-bullying specialist Operate as a PLC using climate data Provide leadership that supports a positive school climate

New Jersey State Bar Foundation, 2011

The Key to a Successful AntiBullying Program: BYSTANDERS

New Jersey State Bar Foundation, 2011

WHO ARE THE BYSTANDERS?

WHY WONT THEY GET INVOLVED? Fear of retaliation

Afraid to lose social status Dont know what to do

Dont believe adults will help

Dr. Martin Luther King Poster
New Jersey State Bar Foundation, 2011

The 6 Cs of an Effective Program

Concerted Effort Consistency Caring Majority

Conflict Resolution Celebrations Culture: Its not just an activity

New Jersey State Bar Foundation, 2011

Common Missteps in Addressing Bullying

Using Conflict Resolution and/or Peer Mediation to address bullying One-Shot deals such as school assemblies and guest speakers in lieu of curricular, structural, cultural and climate changes. Lack of on-the-spot or drive by interventions for every person, every incident, every time bullying occurs. Underutilization of the bystander population which constitutes 85% of the student population regardless of school Jersey State Bar Foundation, 2011 New size.