How to Create a Safe and Healthy School Climate by Dave Oakes In the wake of recent school violence, many educators are asking how can we improve the climate of schools?
How can we create and nurture school environments that are healthy, safe, and inviting? The daunting problems schools face today are, in many ways, symptomatic of the problems plaguing our larger society. However, in spite of the magnitude of problems facing society and the problems students bring to school today, there are some specific things that we can do to foster a happy, healthy, and safe climate within schools. For example, Messalonskee High School in Oakland, Maine, as part of its recent accreditation process, formed a committee to explore ways to improve our school s climate. Following the accreditation process, the committee has become a key vehicle for promoting proactive strategies for improving school climate within our school. Some of the proactive initiatives we have implemented and/or are considering implementing include: Revisiting our school s philosophy and mission statement to ensure we, as a community, are accepting and tolerant of diversity and are facilitating o
