The School Climate Resource Center

Upstander Videos
In Fall 2009, CSEE launched the Stand Up to Bullying Video Contest as the first guided activity of the BullyBust Partner School Program. This activity was designed to help educators and administrators develop school-wide awareness of bullying behavior and to empower students and adults to stand up for themselves and others. By working with students in small groups to develop brief video announcements, schools used this activity to build a shared understanding of how school life should be and to introduce students to upstander behavior in a way that was fun, easy and participatory. The school behind the winning video wins an array of free supports from CSEE. Our panel of judges reflects a variety of expert perspectives on bullying and upstander behavior: Justin Patchin and Sameer Hinduja, Directors of the Cyberbullying Research Center; Sammi Hanratty, star of the movie An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong and BullyBust advocate; Dr. Jonathan Cohen, President of CSEE and co-chair of the National School Climate Council; and members of the National School Climate Youth Council, along with council assistant Doug Hart. I am excited to share the following student videos submitted for the contest, developed by Detroit Edison Public School Academy (Detroit, MI), Yargo Elementary (Winder, GA), Bethlehem Elementary (Bethlehem, GA), New Utrecht High School (Brooklyn, NY), Bellevue Middle School (Nashville, TN), Badger Ridge Middle School (Verona, WI), and Skyline Middle School (Wilmington, DE). You will see that each video reflects creativity, effort, and understanding of upstander behavior. We hope that you’ll share these short videos with your students or colleagues to showcase this great work and use them to start the conversation about the importance of being an upstander (as opposed to passive bystander) with your students. Please enjoy, and don’t forget to rate your favorites: View more by clicking the link below.In Fall 2009, CSEE launched the Stand Up to Bullying Video Contest as the first guided activity of the BullyBust Partner School Program. This activity was designed to help educators and administrators develop school-wide awareness of bullying behavior and to empower students and adults to stand up for themselves and others. By working with students in small groups to develop brief video announcements, schools used this activity to build a shared understanding of how school life should be and to introduce students to upstander behavior in a way that was fun, easy and participatory. The school behind the winning video wins an array of free supports from CSEE. Our panel of judges reflects a variety of expert perspectives on bullying and upstander behavior: Justin Patchin and Sameer Hinduja, Directors of the Cyberbullying Research Center; Sammi Hanratty, star of the movie An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong and BullyBust advocate; Dr. Jonathan Cohen, President of CSEE and co-chair of the National School Climate Council; and members of the National School Climate Youth Council, and council assistant Doug Hart. I am excited to share the following student videos submitted for the contest, developed by Detroit Edison Public School Academy (Detroit, MI), Yargo Elementary (Winder, GA), Bethlehem Elementary (Bethlehem, GA), New Utrecht High School (Brooklyn, NY), Bellevue Middle School (Nashville, TN), Badger Ridge Middle School (Verona, WI), and Skyline Middle School (Wilmington, DE). You will see that each video reflects creativity, effort, and understanding of upstander behavior. We hope that you’ll share these short videos with your students or colleagues to showcase this great work and use them to start the conversation about the importance of being an upstander (as opposed to passive bystander) with your students. Please enjoy, and don’t forget to rate your favorites:

Making Change at the District-Level
How do you focus on improving school climate from the district level? Our next newsletter shares guidelines, best practices, stories from the field, funding opportunities, and additional resources to help administrators begin planning for school climate improvement.In the meantime, here are resources from CSEE to start the conversation: School Climate District Guide: The district guide is designed to support district policymakers and education leaders plan and implement improvement initiatives. It contains an overview of research and information about quality practices, policy options and resources.National School Climate Standards: The National School Climate Standards were developed by CSEE, the National School Climate Council and many other educational, school board and community leaders. The Standards present a vision and framework for a positive and sustainable school climate. They complement national standards for Content, Leadership, and Professional Development and the Parent Teacher Association’s National Standards for Family School Partnerships Standards, and are endorsed by the National School Boards Association.School Climate Implementation Road Map: Use this resource to learn how you can measure and improve school climate in ways that support student and adult learning and development. This road map guides you through the process of school climate assessment, evaluation and analysis, understanding and action planning, implementing programs and initiatives, and re-evaluating school climate.Breaking the Bully-Victim-Bystander Toolkit: This toolkit is a resource designed to support school leadership teams and school community members prevent bully-victim behavior and promote upstander behavior in K-12 schools. What initiatives and programs have you implemented to create district-wide or school-wide change? What resources have been helpful to get buy-in and understanding from principals and school staff? Share in the comments below or email us at newsletter@csee.net so we can share your work with other districts dedicated to improving their climates for learning.How do you focus on improving school climate from the district level? Our next newsletter shares guidelines, best practices, stories from the field, funding opportunities, and additional resources to help administrators begin planning for school climate improvement.In the meantime, here are resources from CSEE to start the conversation: School Climate District Guide: The district guide is designed to support district policymakers and education leaders plan and implement improvement initiatives. It contains an overview of research and information about quality practices, policy options and resources.National School Climate Standards: The National School Climate Standards were developed by CSEE, the National School Climate Council and many other educational, school board and community leaders. The Standards present a vision and framework for a positive and sustainable school climate. They complement national standards for Content, Leadership, and Professional Development and the Parent Teacher Association’s National Standards for Family School Partnerships Standards, and are endorsed by the National School Boards Association.School Climate Implementation Road Map: Use this resource to learn how you can measure and improve school climate in ways that support student and adult learning and development. This road map guides you through the process of school climate assessment, evaluation and analysis, understanding and action planning, implementing programs and initiatives, and re-evaluating school climate.Breaking the Bully-Victim-Bystander Toolkit: This toolkit is a resource designed to support school leadership teams and school community members prevent bully-victim behavior and promote upstander behavior in K-12 schools. What initiatives and programs have you implemented to create district-wide or school-wide change? What resources have been helpful to get buy-in and understanding from principals and school staff? Share in the comments below or email us at newsletter@csee.net so we can share your work with other districts dedicated to improving their climates for learning.

Free Download: School Climate Podcast
How can your school or district develop a positive school climate that fosters teaching, learning, and the development of the whole child? ASCD Whole Child’s new podcast asks this question and connects you with practical next steps: Download Podcast Now [Right-Click to Save] Listen to Dr. Jonathan Cohen, President of CSEE and co-chair of the National School Climate Council, and Marvin Kreps, director of Curriculum and Instruction for Rhinebeck (N.Y.) Central School District, discuss how school climate standards can help educators and communities improve the quality and character of school life. The critical link between school climate and school success has been reiterated by over 30 years of research (and common sense). A healthy school climate directly supports positive youth development, effective risk behavior, teacher retention, academic achievement and life success; nevertheless school climate is often an overlooked area in improvement plans. Click here to download the podcast, and pick up practical supports to help you create and sustain a positive school climate. How can your school or district develop a positive school climate that fosters teaching, learning, and the development of the whole child? ASCD Whole Child’s new podcast asks this question and connects you with practical next steps: Download Podcast Now [Right-Click to Save] Listen to Dr. Jonathan Cohen, President of CSEE and co-chair of the National School Climate Council, and Marvin Kreps, director of Curriculum and Instruction for Rhinebeck (N.Y.) Central School District, discuss how school climate standards can help educators and communities improve the quality and character of school life. The critical link between school climate and school success has been reiterated by over 30 years of research (and common sense). A healthy school climate directly supports positive youth development, effective risk behavior, teacher retention, academic achievement and life success; nevertheless school climate is often an overlooked area in improvement plans. Click here to download the podcast, and pick up practical supports to help you create and sustain a positive school climate.

Survey on Classroom Violence Directed Against Teachers
The Center for Psychology in Schools and Education (CPSE) at the American Psychological Association (APA) is requesting educator participation in a survey concerning classroom violence directed against teachers. After completing the survey, you’ll receive a brochure outlining prevention and intervention strategies related to violence in the classroom. Click here to begin the survey. The survey was developed by a panel of experts appointed by APA and is designed to elicit the attributions and reactions you have surrounding your past or current experiences. The outcomes will further the research agenda on violence directed against teachers, and inform education policy with regard to school management and safety, parent and community involvement, classroom climate, and teaching and learning. To support this work, please forward this link to any classroom teachers you may know. Thanks for your help in promoting this resource!The Center for Psychology in Schools and Education (CPSE) at the American Psychological Association (APA) is requesting educator participation in a survey concerning classroom violence directed against teachers. After completing the survey, you’ll receive a brochure outlining prevention and intervention strategies related to violence in the classroom. Click here to begin the survey. The survey was developed by a panel of experts appointed by APA and is designed to elicit the attributions and reactions you have surrounding your past or current experiences. The outcomes will further the research agenda on violence directed against teachers, and inform education policy with regard to school management and safety, parent and community involvement, classroom climate, and teaching and learning. To support this work, please forward this link to any classroom teachers you may know. Thanks for your help in promoting this resource!

School Climate Podcast: Developing the Quality and Character of School Life
This month’s Whole Child podcast is one you will not want to miss: School Climate: Developing the Quality and Character of School LifeThursday, February 4th: Stream or Download the Podcast Here Dr. Jonathan Cohen, president of the Center for Social and Emotional Education and cochair of the National School Climate Council, and Marvin Kreps, director of Curriculum and Instruction at Rhinebeck Central (N.Y.) School District, will discuss how school climate standards can help educators and communities improve the quality and character of school life. Learn more about the podcast here at Whole Child, and stay tuned to their blog to learn more about providing rich, safe and supportive learning environments for your children. This month’s Whole Child podcast is one you will not want to miss: School Climate: Developing the Quality and Character of School LifeThursday, February 4th: Stream or Download the Podcast Here Dr. Jonathan Cohen, president of the Center for Social and Emotional Education and cochair of the National School Climate Council, and Marvin Kreps, director of Curriculum and Instruction at Rhinebeck Central (N.Y.) School District, will discuss how school climate standards can help educators and communities improve the quality and character of school life. Learn more about the podcast here at Whole Child, and stay tuned to their blog to learn more about providing rich, safe and supportive learning environments for your children.