Connect 4 Respect
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
- 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.