Relationships

Teacher and student talking

Relationships are the positive connections between students, adults and peers in the school setting that foster positive social interaction and establish a nurturing environment of trust and support.

Students who feel connected to school are more likely to succeed-- they have better school attendance, grades, and test scores and stay in school longer. Building these relationships require perspectives that embrace positive attitudes and beliefs, cultural and linguistic competence, an understanding of the needs and experiences of students, and an understanding of the school environment. 

Students who feels connected to school are less likely to engage in risky behavior.

Students who feel connected to school are less likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, become involved in violence and other dangerous activities.  These students are also less likely to experience emotional problems.

Building positive relationships that foster a safe supportive learning environment and student connection is the responsibility of all who touch a school.

Second only to family, school is the most important stabilizing force in the lives of young people. The school environment provides a natural setting to foster positive relationships among student, adults and peers. Building positive relationships within the school environment involves certified staff, classified staff, students, community, and family members.

Caring adults play an important role in building strong relationships with students which facilitate their connection to school.

The relationships formed between students and school staff members are at the heart of school connectedness. Students who perceive their teachers and school administrators as creating a caring, well-structured learning environment in which expectations are high, clear and fair are more likely to be connected to school. (Blum, Robert, School Connectedness: Improving the Lives of Students, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore Maryland, 2005).

References

Blum, R. (2005). School Connectedness: Improving the Lives of Students. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Baltimore, Maryland.

 

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Provides best practices and includes resources school leaders and teachers can utilize as they work to achieve a positive school climate, lower disciplinary issues and enhance school safety.

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Fostering School, Family, and Community Involvement

Identifies several components that, when effectively addressed, provide schools with the foundation and building blocks needed to create and maintain safe schools. Includes basics for school-family-community collaborations, collaborations in practice, and using policy for effective change.

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Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment in Our Nation's Classrooms

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School Connectedness: Strategies for Increasing Protective Factors Among Youth cover page
School Connectedness: Strategies for Increasing Protective Factors Among Youth

Presents six evidence-based strategies that could be implemented to increase students’ sense of connectedness to school, along with specific actions that can be taken to implement each of the strategies.

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School Connectedness: Improving Students' Lives

Defines and describes the components of school connectedness and identifies specific actions that schools can take to increase school connectedness.

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