Action Planning with CSEE and Networks of Schools

By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 16, 2009

In the past year, CSEE developed institutes that support networks of schools in the same region to assess their climate and bring students, parents/guardians and school personnel together to understand current strengths and challenges and create socially, emotionally and civically informed action plans. Last July, we partnered with Nassau BOCES and the New York State Student Suport Services to sponsor the first Safe and Civil Schools Network for seven schools from two separate districts in Nassau County, Long Island.

We recently completed this year-long project, which included three-day institutes designed to provide concrete strategies and supports for lasting school climate improvement, including sessions on infusing Social-Emotional Learning into the curriculum (at both the elementary and middle/high levels), revising the Code of Conduct for greater efficacy, and building stronger community relationships. Attendees had high-praise for the network model, and all participants agreed that they would like to continue with the work next year and would strongly recommend the program to colleagues.  Here’s what two attendees had to say:

“The workshops given by CSEE have been extremely helpful to our entire school. We are in the process of transforming the culture of our building and exposing an entire community to safe and civil school improvement works.” — Cathy Green, Franklin Schools, Hempstead

“The Safe and Civil Schools network was extremely helpful to our school. I was able to use the information provided to our staff and share the information, which was very well received. As a curriculum coach, I was able to implement bully prevention and upstander skills that assisted staff at our school.” — Miriam Ortiz, Jackson Annex School

These institutes are an ideal way to begin building community-wide investment and a sustained plan for improvement.  Networks of schools typically begin by meeting for a two-day institute to plan the most appropriate program model for their needs. Over the course of the year, schools have a series of additional network meetings, with the option of more intensive in-school coaching as needed. To learn more about how our Network Institutes can support your school climate improvement efforts, please contact me at (212) 707-8799, ext. 29 or at jonathancohen@csee.net.