Peoria Public Schools District 150 Board of Education

Peoria Public Schools, District 150 Board of Education February 8, 2016

CAST Project Overview • Collaborators – Prevent School Violence Illinois – National School Climate Center • Primary Goals – Reduce bullying, especially bias-based bullying – Improve school climate • Project Scope – 2 years – 5 school communities

CAST Project Schools

CAST Project Approach • School Leadership Team • CAST Survey Data – Stakeholders: personnel, students, parents • Professional Development – Social & emotional skill building (SEL) – Climate leadership certification • Networking & Capacity Building – Cluster Meetings – Electronic resources

CAST Project Approach (cont. ) • Engaging Parents – VIP Breakfasts – Parent Teacher Organization • Engaging Students – Advisories – Community Scale project – Focus groups

CAST Project Approach (cont. ) • Process, not program • Tailored interventions • Doing with, not doing for

Initial Findings – Feb ‘ 15 • Bullying – Bullying was occurring most often in the hallways and classrooms – Many school staff said they almost always step in and stop bullying – Students felt comfortable talking to staff about bullying – Students were reluctant to step in when they saw bullying

Initial Findings – Feb ‘ 15 • School Climate – Strengths: • Rules and Norms for Safety • Social Support from Adults • Support for Learning – Challenges: • Physical Surroundings • Social and Emotional Security

Sterling’s Priorities • Social & Emotional Skill Building – Professional development on adult competencies

Social & Emotional Skills Recognizing one’s emotions and values as well as one’s strengths and limitations Managing emotions and behaviors to achieve one’s goals Self-awareness Selfmanagement social & emotional learning Social awareness Showing understanding and empathy for others Responsible decisionmaking Relationship Skills Making ethical, constructive choices about personal and social behavior Forming positive relationships, working in teams, and dealing effectively with conflict Source: Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

Sterling’s Priorities • Social & Emotional Skill Building – Professional development of adult competencies – Supporting adult relationships – Skill building with PLC’s – Student advisories • Current year: observations and training • Next year: advisory curriculum

Recent Findings – Dec ‘ 15 • Bullying – Significant decrease in bullying victimization – Less bias-based bullying – Decrease in bullying perpetration – More staff reporting consistent intervention

Recent Findings – Dec ‘ 15 • School Climate – Significant improvement in self-efficacy – Improved social support among students – Increased respect for diversity – Increased sense of belonging and connectedness – Even higher ratings of support for learning – Improved staff satisfaction

Future Directions • Student Focus Groups – Understand student perspective – Gather input and ideas • Restorative Practices – S. B. 100 -> P. A. 99 -0456 – Focus on relationships not rules • CAST Youth Summit – March convening – Networking and skill-building

Questions?

Thank You!