Committee for Children Blog

The Power to Create a Positive School Climate

smiling students, bullying prevention, social emotional learning, positive school climate

Research shows that feeling unsafe at school affects students’ ability to learn, focus, and take academic risks. With student safety and success on the line, we’ve been consistent and unwavering in our bullying prevention efforts since the mid-1980s. Millions of elementary students across the country receive our Bullying Prevention Unit each year. Taught in conjunction with our social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum, this research-based curriculum reflects our nearly forty-year commitment to fostering the safety and well-being of children, helping create a positive school climate.

Like Second Step SEL, the Bullying Prevention Unit is easy to implement, and it offers class materials, comprehensive staff training, and online media—including award-winning lesson videos created by the Committee for Children team.

Giving Students and Staff the Tools to Recognize, Report, and Refuse Bullying

The Bullying Prevention Unit uses and builds on the social-emotional skills taught in our core Second Step program. The unit helps elementary students and staff develop the knowledge and skills they need to prevent and respond to bullying and foster a school climate of safety and respect.

Educators receive resources to:

  • Set classroom rules that help students feel safe and respected
  • Define what bullying is and how to identify it
  • Teach students when they should report bullying, the difference between tattling and reporting, and whom they should report bullying to
  • Empower students to refuse bullying and use their assertiveness skills
  • Educate children about bystander power

Educating All Staff—Not Just Teachers

To address bullying in schools, the Second Step Bullying Prevention Unit provides three training modules for staff—one for teachers and counselors, one for principals and program coordinators, and one for all staff, intended for any adult who interacts with students and can be of help when bullying occurs. This whole-school approach helps create a positive, supportive environment where students can feel safe, focus on their education, and thrive.

Prevention Is Key

Bullying happens, and we can all do something about it. When it comes to deterring bullying in schools, prevention is key. Learn more about bullying prevention in schools and our Bullying Prevention Unit for you to help build a positive school climate.

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