[Click on title above to access complete handbook] Each year in the U.S., millions of children and adolescents are exposed to violence in their homes, schools, neighborhoods, and through the media. A significant proportion of these youths are exposed to domestic violence – abusive behavior used by one intimate partner to control and dominate the other. The young people touched by this form of violence often experience short and long term impacts that may affect their adjustment at school.
• Children and adolescents living with domestic violence are at risk for increased emotional and behavioral problems including increased violent behavior. They are also at increased risk of experiencing emotional or physical abuse. These difficulties may compromise their availability for learning and their capacity to get along with others at school.
• Early identification of difficulties can lead to earlier and more effective support and intervention for young people and their families. Teachers are in an ideal position to identify when a student is having difficulty.
• School-based interventions and prevention initiatives can reduce risk and increase protective factors for students. Teachers may be the caring adults who make a difference in the lives of students experiencing difficulties at home.
This handbook contains information that will help you:
• learn about domestic violence and its impact on children and adolescents;
• recognize the signs that students may display when they are having difficulties. These signs may occur for a variety of reasons, including domestic violence;
• learn ways to support students and deal with challenging behaviors in school;
• offer support and information about resources to parents who may be adult victims of domestic violence.
AQUA Drop-In is back!
Come ring in the Year Of the Monkey at AQU25A's first drop-in of 2004!!!
When? Wednesday, January 28, 2004, 6-8pm
Where? Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, 730 Polk Street
(between Eddy and Ellis), 4th Floor.
What? Hang out, Eat Some Food, Meet New People, and Celebrate the Lunar New Year!!!
AQU25A (Asian and Pacific Islander, Queer and Questioning, Under 25, All Together) is a group for and run by young queer (lesbian, gay, bi, & trans) and questioning Asians, Pacific Islanders, and HAPAS!
We hold drop-ins, gatherings, picnics, groups, workshops, individual counseling, a peer leadership program, socials, parties, dances, trips, retreats and other fun activities throughout the year.
For more information, please contact Sabrina Wu, AQU25A Program Coordinator, at (415) 292-3420 x315 or sabrina@apiwellness.org
6 Things Top School Leaders Know
What are the keys to being a standout school leader today? (Hint: It has nothing to do with budgets, although they're important, too!)
By Pamela Wheaton Shorr
While many school administrators are hopping from job to job or getting axed in today's challenging educational environment, there are some who aren't just surviving but thriving. Despite all the pressures, they ooze confidence and win kudos—even awards—from teachers and parents throughout their communities. Who are these beloved leaders and how have they kept their edge? Read on to find out what standout administrators say are the 12 keys to success.
1. DON'T TRY TO PLAY SPIN DOCTOR.
Trying to gloss over the facts can backfire—and destroy the trust between you and your community. During his 15 years as superintendent of schools in Rochester, New Hampshire, Raymond Yeagley has always been a straight shooter in even the most politically charged situations, and it's always paid off in the end. Last year, harassment charges at the high school split the school board and resulted in a principal's exit. "It became a he-said, she-said situation," Yeagley recalls. But instead of trying to play politician as the media reported the debacle blow by blow, Yeagley did everything in his power to keep the flow of information going, including admitting any mistakes his administration made and responding to criticism. In the end, Yeagley's openness and honesty helped the district get through the crisis while strengthening his reputation as a trusted leader.
Bottom line: "It will always come out if you are dishonest or hiding something, no matter how good the reasons behind it," says Yeagley. And with administrators under more scrutiny than ever, one small slipup can easily overshadow years of accomplishments.
2. REMEMBER: KIDS ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS.
Georgia's 2002 Superintendent of the Year, Beth Kellerhals, who has been superintendent of Catoosa County for the past five years, says that by "keeping the main thing, the main thing," she and her staff have been able to negotiate the changing educational environment along with federal mandates such as NCLB. Whenever she gets bogged down, Kellerhals jumps into her car and spends time with students and teachers to remind herself that it's all about the needs of the schools. "NCLB and high-stakes tests and the rest all get attended to if administrators are spending time with teachers," says Milli Pierce, Ed.D., director of The Principals' Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Adds Edina (MN) Public Schools Superintendent Kenneth Dragseth, "Politics comes and goes, but meeting the needs of your students will stand the test of time."
Bottom line: By constantly reminding yourself what your priorities are, you're better equipped to make the best decisions for the long term.
3. DON'T FORGET WHO WRITES THE CHECKS.
The way Ann m. Boyle sees it, parents are the ones paying the taxes for their children's education, and they should get good service. Boyle, assistant superintendent and interim director of technology for the Scottsdale (AZ) unified school district, believes it's perfectly reasonable for moms and dads to want to know how and what their kids are doing in school. And that's easier than ever to do, thanks to the Internet. Scottsdale launched a web site filled with course syllabi, homework due dates, and even a schedule of the state's assessment tests for every grade. "We use the district web site as the primary announcement center for the district; because it's supervised by the public relations officer we can keep it active and accurate daily," says Boyle. "We have been able to get the facts to the staff and parents before the newspapers, rumors, or word-of-mouth gets to them first with misperceptions and untruths." The district also regularly e-mails parents important announce
ments, rather than using the less dependable backpack route.
Bottom line: Informed parents are satisfied parents.
4. DON'T JUST CALL WHEN YOU NEED SOMETHING.
"When I first was a superintendent, my view of political connection to legislators and politicians was a little naïve," says Kenneth Dragseth, who has been superintendent of Edina (MN) Public Schools since 1992 and is this year's AASA Superintendent of the Year. "I thought that if I told them what we needed, they would lobby for those changes. That didn't work." You need to give support before you can get it back. Building relationships with state officials, he says, "gave me access and credibility when I needed to push for a particular issue." Drag-seth takes the same approach with his constituents, holding monthly meetings with the community as well as with staff and students. "You can provide information through technology, local media, your own departments," he says. "Just be sure to continually engage everyone in your schools."
Bottom line: "Building consensus and hence credibility is a daily job—not something you just do when a crisis arises," says Dragseth.
5. DON'T PLAY THE BLAME GAME.
Ann M. Boyle returned to school after the Labor Day weekend to find that the Nachi worm had infected her entire network—all 17,000 computers. Though the district has a firewall, Boyle figures someone inadvertently circumvented it with an infected laptop or floppy disk brought in from home. But instead of pointing fingers, Boyle got her tech team to roll up its sleeves and apply patches to 17,000 computers. In the meantime, she began a lengthy round of phone calls to every one of her 34 individual buildings. "We needed them with us on the plan of attack—and they needed to know where we stood in fixing the problem."
Bottom line: Get everyone on board to fix a problem instead of wasting time playing the blame game, and you can turn a potentially morale-killing experience into a team-building opportunity.
6. ACKNOWLEDGE PEOPLE'S FEELINGS.
Lois Longin, an elementary school principal in Swampscott, Massachusetts, stepped into the job six years ago following her predecessor's untimely death. "It was a very tragic time for the teachers and students," she says. "As is natural, in memory people began to think he was perfect—and they made a lot of comparisons." As difficult as it was, Longin knew she needed to acknowledge everyone's feelings to get people on her side before she could nudge them forward. So she wrote the teachers a letter admitting that she was in a tough position trying to fill the shoes of such a beloved leader. She then asked in advance for understanding for any missteps during the transition. The letter smoothed the process, though it hasn't been easy. She laughs, "Some of the teachers still have pictures of him on their desks. I mean, I'm here every day, but no one has my picture up!"
Bottom line: Show understanding and respect for people's feelings, including a natural resistance to change, and people are more likely to trust you enough to move forward with you instead of working against you.
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Wellness Center
Christy Parsons (Wellness Coordinator) is available daily.
Ian Enriquez (Community Health Outreach Worker, Youth Outreach Coordinator) is available daily.
Monica Murphy (Nurse, Tobacco Intervention Coordinator) is available from Monday - Wednesday and Friday.
Penny Krainin (psychologist) is available daily.
Chris Pepper (peer resources) is available daily and teaches classes during 4th and 5th periods.
Marie Chen (drug counselor) is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Susie Li (Mandarin speaking counselor) is available on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Laura McGourty (counselor) is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Beth Ringheim (counselor) is available on Mondays.
Talia Korenbrot (relationship counselor) is available on Thursdays.
James Guay (lgbt counselor) is available on Wednesdays.
Reconnecting Youth classes held 5th and 7th periods.
School Physical Safety Practices
1. Transition periods should be highly structured with increased adult monitoring.
2. Keep classroom doors open during passing periods.
3. Have school rules and expectations posted largely throughout the school.
4. Ensure adequate lighting inside and outside of school facility.
5. All staff trained in school safety procedure and positive communication.
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