Creating a Safe School: New program to help school community maintain positive environment
Our Lady’s Christian School, in conjunction with The Ophelia Project, will introduce a comprehensive initiative this fall to create a more positive social culture within our school. The Creating a Safe School (CASS) program is a multifaceted, school-wide initiative that challenges all members of the school community to examine their beliefs about peer aggression and address aggression within the school.
Developed by the Ophelia Project, CASS is a proactive program that empowers older students to be trained mentors to their younger classmates, and to model positive social interaction and courageous intervention. But the collaboration doesn’t stop there. A key feature of CASS is that everyone in the school community is involved in the effort:
- Students participate in weekly class meetings
- Teachers, staff, coaches and volunteers are trained in CASS principles
- Faculty members attend in-service training twice a year
- Parents and community members are invited to serve as program volunteers and attend monthly Community Night Programs.
“What’s great about the CASS program is that it’s research-based. It’s proven to work, proven to create a safe environment,” says Principal Patty Landenberger. “Instead of addressing bullying behavior after it has happened, we’ll focus on creating a positive environment, one where that kind of behavior just isn’t socially acceptable.”
Work on the program has already begun and will continue over the summer. Throughout the next two school years, an Ophelia Project graduate assistant will work 25 hours per week in the school. Every class will spend 30 minutes per week learning CASS principles. Approaching these principles from a Christian perspective, CASS will be worked in to the Religion curriculum and examined along with other Gospel values.
As Mrs. Landenberger explains, “CASS will help us build community, build consensus on a Code of Conduct, and help our students build personal skills they’ll use throughout their lives. It’s something that will involve everyone, and something that will benefit everyone.”
Here are some resources for you to learn more about CASS:
CASS Overview
How Does CASS Work for Parents?
Ophelia Project
Already know you’d like to get involved? Click here for more information about volunteer opportunities.