1. Peoria Public Schools, District 150 Board of Education February 8, 2016

2. CAST Project Overview Collaborators – Prevent School Violence Illinois – National School Climate Center Primary Goals – Reduce bullying, especially bias-based bullying – Improve school climate Project Scope – 2 years – 5 school communities

3. CAST Project Schools

4. CAST Project Approach School Leadership Team CAST Survey Data – Stakeholders: personnel, students, parents Professional Development – Social & emotional skill building (SEL) – Climate leadership certification Networking & Capacity Building – Cluster Meetings – Electronic resources

5. CAST Project Approach (cont.) Engaging Parents – VIP Breakfasts – Parent Teacher Organization Engaging Students – Advisories – Community Scale project – Focus groups

6. CAST Project Approach (cont.) Process, not program Tailored interventions Doing with, not doing for

7. Initial Findings – Feb ‘15 Bullying – Bullying was occurring most often in the hallways and classrooms – Many school staff said they almost always step in and stop bullying – Students felt comfortable talking to staff about bullying – Students were reluctant to step in when they saw bullying

8. Initial Findings – Feb ‘15 School Climate – Strengths: Rules and Norms for Safety Social Support from Adults Support for Learning – Challenges: Physical Surroundings Social and Emotional Security

9. Sterling’s Priorities Social & Emotional Skill Building – Professional development on adult competencies

11. social & emotional learning Self-awareness Social awareness Relationship Skills Responsible decision- making Self- management Forming positive relationships, working in teams, and dealing effectively with conflict Making ethical, constructive choices about personal and social behavior Managing emotions and behaviors to achieve one’s goals Showing understanding and empathy for others Recognizing one’s emotions and values as well as one’s strengths and limitations Source: Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Social & Emotional Skills

12. Sterling’s Priorities Social & Emotional Skill Building – Professional development of adult competencies – Supporting adult relationships – Skill building with PLC’s – Student advisories Current year: observations and training Next year: advisory curriculum

13. Recent Findings – Dec ‘15 Bullying – Significant decrease in bullying victimization – Less bias-based bullying – Decrease in bullying perpetration – More staff reporting consistent intervention

14. Recent Findings – Dec ‘15 School Climate – Significant improvement in self-efficacy – Improved social support among students – Increased respect for diversity – Increased sense of belonging and connectedness – Even higher ratings of support for learning – Improved staff satisfaction

15. Future Directions Student Focus Groups – Understand student perspective – Gather input and ideas Restorative Practices – S.B. 100 -> P.A. 99-0456 – Focus on relationships not rules CAST Youth Summit – March convening – Networking and skill-building

16. Questions?

17. Thank You!