We expect schools to be a safe haven, but after more than a decade of targeted school violence prevention laws and safety plans, students are still marginalized and bullied to the point of despondence, retaliation, and even suicide. This thoughtful exploration of what makes a school a safe place is based on the understanding that violence is a continuum of acts and attitudes–subtle to overt–that have a negative effect on how students feel and learn.
A school’s climate–how it feels to be a member of the learning community–depends on how each student is treated. We are challenged to recognize the often overlooked, yet pervasive, forms of emotional and physical violence that students face every day. After conducting an honest assessment of our own school’s climate, we learn how to nurture supportive relationships between students and adults and embed pro-social skills and respect for diversity in everything we do.When done, we are equipped with the understandings, tools, and commitment necessary to create a safe, positive school climate that is systemic and lasting.