Setting the Tone: A Connected School Approach to Creating Bully-free Classrooms

New from New View To prevent bullying, educators need to shift their thinking, shift their actions, and start modeling noncoercive intervention. Getting everyone connected, establishing firm bottom lines, forming agreements, and holding everyone accountable to the agreements are the critical elements to creating schools that are achieving, caring, and safe. Setting the Tone asks educators to self-evaluate their present beliefs and practices in light of the latest research on behavior and bullying prevention. "When it comes to bullying, Setting the Tone opens our eyes to the power of establishing realistic expectations of students, staff, and communities and moves us beyond blame and shame, excuses, and rote apologies. Establishing a connected school that won’t stand for bullying empowers our future leaders by teaching them how to implement core beliefs when it comes to respect, relationships, and restitution. Setting the Tone is a must have tool for all building leaders."-- Tommy Schmolze, EdD, Assistant Superintendent and Executive Director of Pupil Services, Fort Mill School District, South Carolina