Visit this page often for news about special events and activities associated with the Safe Schools, Healthy Students Initiative at Spokane Public Schools.
Working to Make Schools Safer in Spokane (May 2, 2007)
We all join the nation in mourning the loss of the 33 students and faculty of Virginia Tech University. Inevitably, we begin to wonder about the safety of Spokane, our own children, and what our local schools are doing to keep them safe.
We would like to take this opportunity to let you know that Spokane Public Schools is working hard to prevent school violence and to promote a healthy environment in our schools and community through an innovative program called the Safe Schools, Healthy Students Initiative.
Building on the Initiative’s collaborative framework, Spokane Public School’s mission brings together students, parents, educators, mental health agencies, local law enforcement, and other community-based organizations to talk about violence prevention. In turn, Spokane Public Schools and its community partners are working to create a safe school environment that addresses prevention and intervention needs for violence and substance abuse issues, bullying and harassment, provides mental health services to students in need, offers early childhood development services, implements engaging after school programs at the middle schools, and establishes safe school policies.
In addition to the efforts in place under the Safe Schools, Healthy Students Initiative, Spokane Public Schools has also made a commitment to mentoring programs and dedicates resources to staff, facilities, equipment and training as well as preventive measures from kindergarten through high school. The district website also features a list of all safety activities which is updated regularly at http://www.spokaneschools.org/Safety/pdf/SafetyList2006.pdf
Spokane Public Schools, along with five schools districts served by Educational Service District 101, was awarded a 3-year, multimillion dollar Safe Schools, Healthy Student grant in 2004 by the U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Justice. For eight years, communities across the country have been selected for these grants to improve the way schools, families, and the community work together in response to rising concerns about youth violence and school safety. This Federal grant recognizes that violence among young people is caused by a multitude of factors—including early childhood, family life, mental health, and substance abuse issues—and that no single action can be counted on to prevent it.
We all share a role in the effort to prevent youth violence. Talk with your children, your students, and the children in your community. Be involved in their lives. By working together, we can continue to identify the solutions to end youth violence and implement those solutions.
SERVICE KUDOS TO SALK DRAMA STUDENTS (April 25, 2007)
Salk Middle School's After School Drama Club performed "The Sneetches" to more than 1,000 elementary school students to teach anti-discrimination. Salk students also shared personal stories and solutions about how they take a stand against bullyiing. Students signed anti-bullying pledges at the end of each performance. Salk drama is made possible by ReadyCorps VISTA members Ashley Doane and Marilee Bailey.
March 27, 2007
LEADERSHIP GROUP GOING STRONG AT LEWIS & CLARK HIGH SCHOOL
A new student-driven leadership group is up and running every week during the lunch period at Spokane’s Lewis & Clark High School and is focusing on providing peer support while looking at issues relevant to the Safe Schools, Healthy Students Initiative in the areas of drug, violence, mental health and physical safety.
The group, facilitated by Greg Smith and Camille Paras, provides a confidential setting to explore student issues and allow for peer feedback. The idea is to give students a place to bring their issues and offer support when they are dealing with difficult times in their lives. Examples of student issues include, peer conflict, social concerns, family discord, and academic stress. The hope is that by exploring student issues, the leadership group will gather information to help structure a safer place for students.
During meetings the group will process what is already being addressed and explore what needs to be addressed further in the areas of emotional and physical safety at school. While students explore various topics, the facilitators will look to understand what can be done to promote change and success for students and the school community. Through listening to the student voice in the leadership group, the goal will be to make long term changes that surround the areas of drugs, violence, mental health, and physical safety.
The Lewis & Clark High School leadership group is a place where students can come to voice their thoughts and feelings about what happens at school allowing them to feel confident that their voice will be heard. Effort will be made to make long term, systemic changes based directly on student feedback. In addition, the leadership team will continue to learn about respect for others and how to work as a group towards common goals for their school.
For more information, contact Greg Smith, Student Assistance Specialist, Lewis & Clark High School, 435-6303.
March 27, 2007
GLOVER'S SAVE GROUP RECOGNIZES NATIONAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION WEEK
This week SAVE students at Spokane's Glover Middle School are recognizing National Violence Prevention Week (March 26 - 30) with a variety of activities that promote tolerance and increase awareness.
The Glover SAVE group (Students Against Violence Everywhere) is the first one formed in Spokane. Students at Glover are being reminded this week that while anger is a normal and natural part of life, violence is not.
Thanks to Melissa Anderson for taking the initiative and starting the first SAVE group in Spokane!
The Safe Schools, Healthy Students Initiative after school programs (A.S.A.P.) are also supporting the week's events under the leadership of Glover's Youth & Community Specialist, Cheryl Sines.
Some of the highlights this week at Glover include the following activities:
1. Presentation of a violence prevention video and discussions in 7th & 8th grade classes
2. Signing of a non-violence pledge
3. Encouraging students to talk to a SAVE member about how they can help make a difference in their school
4. Asking students to educate themselves about other people's differences to overcome prejudices and get to know someone new.
For more information about SAVE and National Youth Violence Prevention Week, visit http://www.violencepreventionweek.org
For more information about the Glover program, contact Melissa Anderson, Glover Student Assistance Specialist, at 354-5325.
February 7, 2007
SALK MIDDLE SCHOOL HOSTS 16TH ANNUAL MIDDLE LEVEL REGIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Today 275 middle school students from 18 area schools participated in the16th annual Middle Level Regional Leadership Conference at Spokane’s Salk Middle School and enjoyed the day learning leadership skills and sharing ideas with their peers. The Conference is presented by the Washington Principal's Association and was hosted by the Salk Middle School L.E.A.D. (Listening, Engaging, Attitude, & Diversity) students under the supervision of Lyla Rapelje, Salk’s Youth & Community Specialist.
The L.E.A.D. students not only hosted and attended the conference, but also met early in the morning twice a week before the conference to develop a skit and make decorations and posters. In addition, the students not only attended the conference, but also worked during the event and provided assistance to the two adult presenters. as well as assisting with the conference and hosted this event.
The L.E.A.D. group is also a Chase Youth Award Nominee this year and the students will be attending the award ceremony at Whitworth College on March 27.
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