KidStrong
Conference
Goal for WVMPSC
WV schools will have a safe,
orderly environment conducive to
learning for all that promotes
good character within a caring
culture.
Attitudes of Violence
Definition of Violence
• Is any mean word, look, sign, or act that hurts
a person’s body, feelings or things.
• No one is entitled to use violence.
• Violence is not tolerated at our school.
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Cyber bullying/Texting
From There to Here…
Reporting
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
ARE YOUR STUDENTS
READY TO LEARN?
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Three-Tiered Approach
Jeff McClung (3:26)
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IT TAKES A SYSTEM
TO CRACK A SYSTEM
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NORMS
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Student norms
Staff norms
Administrative norms
Parental norms
Attitudes Towards Violence
What are the norms in your school?
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Establishing Norms
Dr. Paula Potter (0:26)
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Establishing Environmental Control
1. A collective, determined stance against violence
2. Clear definition of violence is adopted and
communicated to everyone
3. Policies and procedures
4. School-wide rules
5. Adult supervision of the campus
6. Extinguish, enabling, entitlement, and tolerance
7. Prevention and intervention programs
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What Do We Mean By Climate?
• Climate refers to the emotional atmosphere we generate
around us; some people refer to climate as the “context” of
school.
• Climate involves the perception of stakeholders concerning
the fairness, openness, friendliness, the ethos of caring,
and sense of welcome of the school.
• Climate includes the level of orderliness of the school and
the degree of satisfaction experienced within its
organizational structure.
What a Positive School Climate
Looks Like…..
 characterized by warmth, positive interest, and
involvement by adults
 firm limits to unacceptable behavior
 where non-hostile, nonphysical negative
consequences are consistently applied in cases of
violations of rules and other unacceptable
behaviors
 adults act as authorities and positive role models.
Olweus, D., Limber, S. & Mihalic, S.F. (1999). Blueprints for Violence Prevention, Book
Nine: Bullying Prevention Program. Boulder, CO: Center for the Study and Prevention
of Violence.
http://www.colorado.edu/cspv/blueprints/model/chapt/BullyExec.htm
What Might Be Our Goals in the
Area of Positive School Climate?
• Maintain a community in school that reduces risk
factors for students and promotes protective factors.
• Maintain a community in school that recognizes and
values the contributions of all: staff, students, and
parents.
• Maintain a context that will move students up the ladder
of achievement.
• Promote an atmosphere that encourages positive
relationships between all stakeholder groups
(administration/teacher, teacher/teacher,
teacher/student, student/student).
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What is Single School Culture?
• A way of organizing and running a school. It
begins with shared norms, beliefs, values, and
goals and results in agreed upon processes and
procedures that produce consistency in practice.
• A single school culture results in consistency of
both adult and student practices related to:
– Behavior
– Achievement
– Climate
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“Toxic Cultures” Staff
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
View students as the problem rather than as their
valued clients.
Are sometimes part of negative subcultures that
are hostile and critical of change.
Believe they are doing the best they can and do
not search out new ideas.
Frequently share stories and historical
perspectives on the school that are often
negative, discouraging, and demoralizing.
Complain, criticize, and distrust any new ideas,
approaches, or suggestions for improvement
raised by planning committees.
Rarely share ideas, materials, or solutions to
classroom problems.
Have few ceremonies or school traditions that
celebrate what is good and hopeful about their
place of work.
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(Deal and Peterson, 1998)
Policy 4373 requires that schools
respond immediately and
consistently to incidents of:
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•
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Harassment
Intimidation
Bullying
Other forms of violence
Or other Student Code of Conduct violations,
i.e. substance abuse, tardiness, truancy,
inappropriate dress, etc.
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Key Components of Policy 4373Student Code of Conduct
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Comprehensive approach to violence prevention and
intervention
Everyone obliged to respect the rights of others
Both staff and student centered
Promotes a system-wide ethos: Violence is not tolerated
Ensure the safety and well-being of both students and
educators
Reduce the severity and frequency of and eventually to
eliminate all incidents of violence and other infractions from
the school setting
Promote an intrinsic social consciousness in our youth
Eliminate the two pervasive attitudes that directly spawn
and support violence in schools: entitlement and tolerance
Create a safe, supportive, nurturing, non-punitive
atmosphere that is highly conducive to learning. (single
school culture/climate)
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How Will We Assess Progress in the
Area of School Climate?
• Climate surveys
• Reduced conflicts
• Decreases in absentee rate
• Increases in informal positive socialization
• A sense of community is evident
• Reduction and eventually the elimination of all
forms of violence
• Is it starting to look and feel like we imagined it
could be?
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WV Positive School Climate
Logic Model
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Early detection, identification and
documentation of inappropriate behavior (BIF)
Developmental & Character education
Staff/parent capacity building
Elect/Convene a school-based behavioral
team
Referral system
School wide positive behavior
Initiative/Incentives
Advisory Board
Evaluation
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School Climate Resources
April Haught (2:10)
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WVMPSC First Year Plan
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Definition of Violence
Behavior Identification Form
Consistent classroom management
Core behavior teams
Surveys
Parent notification & involvement
Teaching students before you begin
Developmental guidance/reporting
School wide positive initiative/incentives
Student agendas
Create a Student Team or Club
Build your “tool box” of support services
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Process of Change
What works!
• Morning pledge- reciting the definition of violence
• “Greeter” every morning that sees every child in the
school
• Reporting vs. Tattling
• Class meetings/assemblies to reflect on school climate
• Consistent classroom management
• Teaching the Student Code of Conduct
• Utilizing the school-wide positive initiative for students
who improve behaviors or show respect to others
• Saying “yes, sir”..”yes, mam”
• Handshake and eye contact
• Posting the Definition of Violence school-wide (bus too)
• Strategies for self control
• Staff utilize Stress Reduction Techniques (sense of
humor)
• Peer mediators/ student leaders and mentors
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Coaching
Morning Walk Through
Valerie Harper (1:09)
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Parent Recognition of
Positive School Climate
“THE VISION”
•School Wide CONSISTENCY
•Creates a Safe and Positive School Culture
•Consistent and Effective Classroom Management
•Core Behavior Team Provides Leadership
•WVMPSC Consultants Provides Training and Ongoing
Assistance
•Systemic Change Takes 3-5 Years/Positive Change
Occurs Every Year