School safety is a fairly large umbrella. It encompasses the whole school perspective of keeping children safe through practicing fire drills, lockdown drills, and keeping the school in lockout all day long. School safety also includes keeping students safe through the use of anti-bullying programs, school codes of conduct, or school board policies. All of these are important to the school climate. Educators understand that children learn better in a positive and inclusive school climate.
According to the National School Climate Center, school climate can be defined as:
- Norms, values, and expectations that support people feeling socially, emotionally and physically safe.
- People are engaged and respected.
- Students, families, and educators work together to develop, live, and contribute to a shared school vision.
- Educators model and nurture attitudes that emphasize the benefits and satisfaction gained from learning.
- Each person contributes to the operations of the school and the care of the physical environment.
(The definitions of school climate and a positive, sustained school climate were consensually developed by
Throughout February: Safe Schools
Safety is and always will be a fundamental concern for schools. Students who aren't or don't feel safe at school cannot learn, and schools must ensure that their environments are both secure and supportive. The current debate on school safety brings with it a renewed interest in addressing safety, school climate, and mental health concerns at schools and promises to improve school policy and practice.
Yet while the current debate has engaged the nation in communitywide discussions, it also has the potential to overlook the voice of educators. Join us throughout February as we look at what educators (teachers, administrators, and counselors) believe is crucial to making our schools safe—not just physically safe, but also safe places to teach and learn. What can educators do to implement and reinforce the conditions for learning
Yet while the current debate has engaged the nation in communitywide discussions, it also has the potential to overlook the voice of educators. Join us throughout February as we look at what educators (teachers, administrators, and counselors) believe is crucial to making our schools safe—not just physically safe, but also safe places to teach and learn. What can educators do to implement and reinforce the conditions for learning
February Is National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month
This February whole child partner National Assembly on School-Based Health Care (NASBHC) and communities across the nation will celebrate National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month. School-based health care centers work to redefine health for kids and teens by providing access to mental health services and oral health care, working to prevent obesity, and addressing other issues that affect young people's lives.
Join us in showing support for all the great work these centers do by involving yourself in this month's celebration. Wondering how you can get involved? Here's a list of activities NASBHC posted on its website to get you started: