Safe
Feeling safe at school translates into higher academic achievement, increased student well-being, and greater engagement. Children who don't feel safe can't concentrate on their studies, don't connect with their classmates, or don't go to school at all.
Schools and communities committed to educating the whole child work together to ensure the physical, social, emotional, and academic safety and security of students and adults. They consistently assess comprehensive safety issues to foster effective conditions for learning.
Ensuring that each student is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged requires us to continually ask questions and examine evidence related to implementation. ASCD's indicators of a whole child approach provide a guide for continual school and community improvement and serve as a definition of what a whole child approach to education truly requires. Download the set of safe indicators (PDF).
From the Whole Child Blog
Implications of the New “Poor”
Posst written by Pam Capasso, Sara Gogel, Tracy Knight, and Janine Norris of Holly Glen Elementary School in Williamstown, N.J.
Holly Glen Elementary School serves approximately 580 students with one-third on free or reduced meals. Our school houses English language learners, autistic population, and students from low-income housing. In the past, Holly Glen comprised various socioeconomic levels ranging from upper class to lower income areas.
Whole Child Examples
High School Example
School Staff Works Tirelessly to Improve their Students
Milwaukie High School's staff works tirelessly to improve their students’ academic, social, and emotional growth; to expand their educational practices; and sharpen the administration’s focus on staff professional development.
All Safe Examples
High School Example
Award Winning School is Committed to Helping its Students Achieve
Elementary Example
Suburban School Provides a Safe Environment for its Students and Staff
Elementary Example
Engaged Learning Community Creates Safe, Supportive, Challenging Environment for Students
Middle Grades Example
School Focuses on More Than Just Academic Achievement
Elementary Example
Related Posts
Transforming Learning and Teaching Through the Pedagogy of Confidence
Kids in High-Poverty Communities: 5 Ways It Affects Us All
Does Better Recess Equal a Better School Day?
Podcast
The New Poverty: Dealing with Economic Change
In this episode of the Whole Child Podcast, we discuss the current economic downturn; its result that many families and children face reduced circumstances; and implications for schools, many of which have seen drastic changes in the populations they serve and their communities.
