Dear Parents/Guardians:

As part of an ongoing effort to enhance the learning environment at our school, we are implementing a prevention program to reduce mean and aggressive behavior and bullying. This program includes staff training by Dr. Marcia McEvoy, a widely recognized expert in the field of school aggression and bullying prevention. She has worked in schools throughout Michigan and the Midwest on this topic.

The program trains the staff on policies and procedures for intervening consistently to using shared common language with specific consequences for aggressive behavior. The program has a set of rubrics (rules) based on objective behavior standards. Specific consequences have been developed for specific kinds of aggressive behavior, in accordance with our current St. Monica discipline policy. Students in schools with a rubric-based approach know how discipline is handled and are clear on the expectations for behavior in a variety of school settings. The program also focuses on how to model, teach and reinforce pro-social behaviors such as respect for others, caring and empathic behaviors and building positive relationships with other students and staff members.

The student component of the program teaches students how to both identify and effectively respond to hurtful behavior, and how to get adult help if their proactive responses are not stopping it. Just as important, students are taught many strategies on how to be a "good bystander" when they are watching someone getting picked on or socially isolated. Ongoing training is critical in changing students’ behavior and in shaping positive social norms.

Sometimes when a school implements this kind of program, the response from outside the school is that the school is being "too picky" or that aggressive behavior is "just kids being kids". However, the research is clear: if schools consistently address the small matters, they seldom see behavior escalate into more serious forms of aggression. Our ultimate goal is to make all students feel safe and help them reach their potential. We are broadening our definition of mean teasing and hurtful behavior to be able to address small things. We know that aggressive behavior can come in the guise of "just kidding" or "we were just horsing around" types of behavior. We also know that the recipients of this type of behavior seldom interpret it in the same way and are frequently negatively affected by it.

The information in this section will provide you with additional details on the components of our program. You will also find the following: definitions of the terminology used in the program, St. Monica School’s rubrics and Time to Think forms. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions, concerns or suggestions. As always, your comments are welcome.

Sincerely,

Jenny Niesen

Asst. Principal