You work hard at preventing school violence. But, are you paying attention to the right things?
You have a crisis and safety plan in place.
You’ve addressed your physical site vulnerabilities.
You’ve trained your students and staff on response protocols.
But, have you taken a good look at your school climate, from the perspective of your students? School bonding and sense of belonging are critical elements of school violence prevention.
Consider this: Students who have a positive attachment to school are not likely to attack fellow students or staff members when they are troubled. Students who have experienced a sense of alienation from their peers or a lack of acceptance by school staff may be more likely to do so.
If you’re ready to assess your school climate, you can find a list of valid and reliable surveys right here.