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School Climate School Climate

A positive school climate can prevent violence.

The circumstances that lead to violence are complex and far ranging, often the culmination of months and years of individual experiences. School climate refers to the quality of school life. Developing students with strong character who are connected to their peers, educators, and communities in meaningful ways can improve school climate and prevent violence from occurring. Research suggests that a positive school climate can lead to a significant decrease in the likelihood of crime, aggression, and violent behavior.

Schools and districts should implement social, emotional, and behavioral support systems to create a climate that supports and responds to student behavior. School leaders can make character development a priority by supporting practices in the classroom and school, as well as collaborating with families and community organizations.

Strategies to Consider

  1. Conduct a school climate survey and collect data. Analyze the data in order to identify the most appropriate measures and programs.
  2. Identify measures and programs that are best suited for your school and implement them.
  3. Consider expanding beyond school climate to incorporate social and emotional learning and provide students access to treatment programs or professionals.

Use the filter below to sort resources available based upon stages of preparedness.

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All School Climate Resources

The federal government identified additional resources that highlight strategies for school safety. Use these resources to learn more about school climate.

Webpage
Mental Health
Toolkit for Schools: Engaging Parents to Support Student Mental Health and Emotional Well-being

Department of Health and Human Services, 2021

This toolkit is designed to help education leaders and schools raise parent awareness about school connectedness and its role in supporting student mental health and emotional well-being, and why family engagement both in and out of school is important. It includes background information, sample social media posts, social media graphics, and newsletter text.

Tool
Mental Health
Whole Child Toolkit

This toolkit provides a centralized location of basic information and resources to support efforts of educating the whole child. Educating the whole child means to acknowledge and address non-academic factors that impact academic outcomes while expanding learning opportunities.

Fact Sheet
School Climate
Building Peer-to-Peer Engagements

Department of Homeland Security, 2020

This briefing paper describes how peer-to-peer engagements can help communities build resilience against violence and terrorism and provide critical protective factors for youth.

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