Safe and Affirming School Culture

While addressing broader school cultures is not in the purview of this resource, below are a few key look-fors of safe and affirming school cultures:

• Strong collaboration between all or a critical mass of staff in creating a safe, welcoming school environment.
• Trust amongst staff, with an explicit non-violent approach to violence prevention and intervention, as shared in this primer.
• A shared approach amongst staff to expectations for students so that students feel as safe as possible and know transparently the consequences for violence, as well as consistency in follow-through after violence happens.
• Ensuring there is a de-briefing after an incidence of violence amongst staff involved and students involved in appropriate environments and with appropriate people, engaging in a process of individual repair and community re-building practices.
• Excellent transition planning for incoming students and their needs, including placement in appropriate programs and classrooms.
• Resolving the small problems to prevent the bigger problems—perhaps an anti-violence or safe schools committee for prevention efforts.
• Visual cues, posters and ongoing information about how we can all create and sustain an environment that is kind, caring, problem-solving and empathetic.

Please refer to the Safe@School website resources on Developing a healthy school culture.