Research shows that one of the most effective ways to prevent bullying behavior is to create a positive school climate. School climate encompasses everything that contributes to a student’s experience with a school—from the physical building to policies, staff and peer culture.
Use the Connect for Respect (C4R) Toolkit to guide your PTA/PTSA in engaging students in improving the school climate and reducing bullying.
The C4R Toolkit
Get started. Walk through a step-by-step process for engaging students, parents and educators in Connect for Respect while learning about all of the tools National PTA and its partners have available for you.
- Connect for Respect PTA Leader’s Guide
- Connect for Respect Student Leader’s Guide
- Assess the current school climate. Take inventory of the current challenges and strengths of your school climate and chart your progress.
- Assessment Topics to Consider
- Assessment Guidelines from Stopbullying.gov
- Engage the school community in dialogue. Bring students, parents and school leaders together for a productive discussion and brainstorm on ways to overcome weaknesses found in assessment.
- Sample Agenda for C4R Forum
- Develop an action plan. Create a plan that educates and empowers students, families and the broader school community around bullying prevention and safe school environments.
- Template Action Plan
- Sample Student Action Plan from PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center
- Educate and empower students, families and the community. Sustain your efforts over time by convening a C4R team that works on this issue throughout the school year.
- Educational Poster (En Español)
Learn More
Find out how bullying and school climate are related to students’ mental health at the American Psychological Association .
Explore current school climate research and assessment tools at the National Center for School Climate .
Utilize Welcoming Schools resources to address gender stereotyping and family diversity in K-5 schools.
View sample “quick start guides” to get students engaged in campaigns promoting inclusivity and respect at Not in Our School .
Locate and join community events in support National Bullying Prevention Month at Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center .
Keep up with a central hub of federal resources and numerous partner at StopBullying.gov.