Annual Washington State Bullying Prevention Conference

Save the Date: May 22-23, 2008; 8:30-3:30, at the Everett Events Center

Bullying is the most common form of violence in our schools. It can appear in many forms such as physical aggression, teasing, name-calling, social exclusion, and sending insulting messages by cell phone or through the Internet. This conference will provide new information on bullying and provide strategies to help prevent bullying at school.

This year's conference will include several topics related to cyberbullying, including what constitutes cyberbullying, how to stop it, Washington laws regarding cyberbullying and related legal issues for schools, internet safety and more.

The conference will also include information on race and equity issues, gang factors, GLBT issues, students with disabilities and more.

Click here for more information and registration details.

Teaching Racial Literacy: A New Framework for Reducing the Achievement Gap

These racial literacy modules combined with on-site assistance will enable participants to achieve greater awareness of race issues. The result is the creation of a locally-tailored plan for advancing racial literacy in their schools. Two modules will be held in May:

May 2, 2008. Module I: Race Talk-Identifying our Cultural Differences

Whites and nonwhites tend to talk about race matters differently. This module focuses on these differences in racial dialogue and prepares the learner to increase their racial literacy.

May 28, 2008. Module II: Becoming Racially Literate

This module continues the process of building racial literacy. It is especially designed for individuals who approach race from a color-evasive perspective. Participants also begin formulating a concrete plan for advancing racial literacy in their schools. Four hours of site-based technical assistance are provided to assist educators with the successful implementation of their action plans for classroom and broader institutional change.

Click here for more information or contact Melia LaCour at (425) 917-7848, (253) 778-7848, 1-800-664-4549, x7848 or email mlacour@psesd.org.

Register now for the Healthy Youth Survey (HYS)

Do your students feel committed to school?  

How many of them feel as though they are failing academically - no matter what their grades?

Do they feel safe at school?

You can learn the answers to these questions and many more by implementing the Healthy Youth Survey in your building/district.   The HYS provides important insights into student behaviors and attitudes which influence academic achievement, and student perception of school climate and its effect on learning. Rich in data, highlights include relationships with teachers, opportunities for meaningful involvement within school, feelings of attachment, perception of school and personal safety, involvement with substance use and abuse, feelings of depression, optimism for the future, family relationships, and parental involvement and support. HYS data strengthens your school improvement planning and the process to increase student achievement.

The 2008 survey will be implemented the week of Oct 13-17. Registration begins in March and information and registration materials will be sent to district superintendents and principals. The deadline to register is June 30, 2008. Results will be sent back to districts in early March of 2009.

To find out who is coordinating the registration process for your school district, or to learn more about the survey, please contact Wendi Gilreath at 425-917-7818, 253-778-7818, or wgilreath@psesd.org.

Clover Park Steps Up Efforts to Make School Grounds Tobacco-Free

State and national data on tobacco use indicates that having a strong school tobacco policy is one of the most effective ways to address tobacco use among youth. Tobacco policies are established to protect students, staff, and community patrons from the exposure to the addictive substance of nicotine and secondhand smoke. Tobacco policies help schools to achieve their primary mission of education by promoting physical health among students and staff so that students are in an optimum environment to learn.

A Tobacco Policy Task Force, sponsored bt the Washington State Department of Health's Tobacco Prevention and Control Program and comprised of Clover Park School District employees, representatives from Puget Sound ESD, and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, are currently participating in a high school policy enhancement and enforcement project to address student tobacco use. To date, the team has reviewed the district's existing tobacco policy and made formal recommendations for enhancements, which are making their way through the appropriate district channels for final approval.  

The next priority for the Task Force is to review the district's existing procedures that support the tobacco policy, and also make recommendations for enhancements. The project also seeks to increase referrals to the district's Student Assistance Program for substance abuse issues. Clover Park School District is served by two prevention-intervention specialists who are based in the district's three high schools to work directly with students.

Increasing awareness of the enhanced policies and procedures will occur through formal training and presentations to students, school staff, and community partners, such as law enforcement, local businesses, and mental health / treatment agencies.

“Making sure our school campuses are tobacco-free sends an important message to kids about the dangers of smoking and using spit tobacco,” said Ed Judie, Clover Park's Director of Student Services. “We want our schools to be a healthy place where students can flourish and become prepared to reach their potential as they grow into healthy adults. Maintaining a tobacco-free educational environment is an important part of achieving that goal.”

For more information, contact Michele Haymond, Tobacco Policy Project Coordinator, 425-917-7819, 253-778-7819, or mhaymond@psesd.org .