Chapter 8: A Safe and Healthy School Environment

Abstract

This chapter discusses the importance of keeping a safe and healthy school environment. In order to have a safe and healthy school environment, it's important to start with a healthy learning environment. This means keeping the classroom managed and the students disciplined. Students should know how they are expected to behave and know what will happen if they don't. Next, the authors give a six-step process for peer mediation and conflict resolution. They also highlight the importance of peer support groups. The next step in a healthy school is promoting healthy behaviors. This means knowing what risky behaviors are happening and knowing how to prevent them and having an effective health and physical education program. It is also important to have a health services program. This program helps the school develop a plan for its students.

Reflection

Though this chapter is mostly a review, I do like how the authors break it down. There are several aspects of providing a safe and healthy school environment. If all student needs aren't being met, then they will have a harder time focusing and learning. If they don't feel safe in the classroom, they won't be engaged. If they don't learn how to take care of their own bodies, they will have a harder time focusing. Keeping a school safe isn't just one person's job. It is a team effort and sometimes involves professionals in certain fields who can enlighten teachers and students alike about topics they know little about.