R.E.A.C.H. FOR SAFE SCHOOLS

Bystander Training

Bystander training is an important prevention strategy that trains students to act in a supportive manner when they are witnessing other students get bullied or harassed. 

The main idea behind this approach is that unacceptable behavior will keep on happening if good people do not act on it. 

Students are taught to stand up for their peers who are getting hurt and intervene if they feel confident in their own skills. 

*Bystander training teaches students that it is expected of them to act reasonably and      

  challenge the unacceptable behavior directly or indirectly by reporting the incident to their 

  teachers. 

           1.  Use role-playing to act out potential scenarios 

           2.  Discuss with the students about the most effective forms of discouragement that would    

                not exacerbate the situation

           3.  Discuss with the students how they can discern non-dangerous from dangerous situations

           4.  Talk with the students about how they would react if they witnessed unacceptable   

                behavior

Assertiveness Training

Teaching students to act assertively when faced with unacceptable behavior can be a useful and effective strategy. When a student reacts assertively to any type of unacceptable behavior, they react respectfully to all involved parties (including themselves). 

To be able to act assertively, students need to feel confident in their own skills and their knowledge of basic human rights.

1. The right to life

2. The right to liberty

3. The right to freedom

4. The right to the pursuit of happiness

5. The right to live your life free of discrimination

Assertive Training Practices:

1. Encouraging students to use assertive body language, including keeping eye contact and   

    standing up straight

2. Discussing, planning, and practicing responses to unacceptable behavior in a clear and 

    assertive way

3. Using role-playing to help students identify aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive 

     responses to unacceptable behavior

Restorative Practices

Many schools use restorative practices to deal with and respond to unacceptable behavior. 

The fundamental concepts of restorative practices are:

Restorative practices focus on  enhancing relationships and teaching  students problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. Classroom management shifts toward relational models that provide support to those affected by unacceptable behavior.

Violations lead to obligations and liabilities.

Harming others is a violation of human rights and relationships.

Our Restorative practices will consist of:

   * Classroom conferences

             Classroom conferences are a powerful tool for creating a safe school environment. 

             The whole class gets involved and discusses how bullying or other forms of unacceptable 

             behavior have affected student wellbeing, teaching, and learning.

    *Small Group Conference

             Staff members typically conduct small-group conferences with an individual 

             student or a small group of students who have been involved in an incident of 

             lesser harm. These conferences are of preventive character as they are aimed at 

             dealing with lower levels of unacceptable behavior.

Parents are not directly involved in these conferences, but they are informed about the process and its outcome. Follow up meetings are also important because they provide ongoing support and ensure that agreements are being complied with.