MPS School Safety Task Force Continues Its Work in 2012-2013
Mason Public Schools Continues Work to Keep Schools Safe
As a result of the recent tragedy in Connecticut, Mason Public Schools is currently undergoing an extremely thorough review of all safety and security measures with local police, fire, and other first responders. MPS will communicate the outcome of this review to parents, guardians, and community members as soon as it is possible. Our top priority is the safety and security of the students and staff. Please take a moment to review the link to the National Association of School Psychologists website. The NASP website has excellent resources relating to such topics as bullying, cyberbulling, and crisis prevention/response that could be of value to you and your family as you discuss school safety and bullying prevention at home.
MPS Anti-Bullying Team to Attend Michigan Bullying Prevention Summit
Mason Public Schools is going to send a representative team of administrators, teachers, and support staff to the Michigan Bullying Prevention Summit early in 2013. The team will share the information provided at the summit with the task force in order to:
Anti-Bullying PD for Bus Drivers and Aides Scheduled for January
In response to student surveys completed in the 2011-2012 school year, Mason Public Schools will provide anti-bullying professional development for its bus drivers, lunchroom/recess aides, and classroom aides in January 2013. The three hour professional development session, ABCs of Bullying Prevention, will be presented by Michigan State University's Health and Nutrition Institute.
Full Anti-Bullying Task Force Meeting Planned for February
The entire task force will meet in February 2013 to discuss our new anti-bullying policy, the recently completed professional development for bus drivers and aides, and lessons learned from the Michigan Bullying Prevention Summit. The task force will discuss next steps and begin the work of planning anti-bullying initiatives for the 2013-2014 school year.
As a result of the recent tragedy in Connecticut, Mason Public Schools is currently undergoing an extremely thorough review of all safety and security measures with local police, fire, and other first responders. MPS will communicate the outcome of this review to parents, guardians, and community members as soon as it is possible. Our top priority is the safety and security of the students and staff. Please take a moment to review the link to the National Association of School Psychologists website. The NASP website has excellent resources relating to such topics as bullying, cyberbulling, and crisis prevention/response that could be of value to you and your family as you discuss school safety and bullying prevention at home.
MPS Anti-Bullying Team to Attend Michigan Bullying Prevention Summit
Mason Public Schools is going to send a representative team of administrators, teachers, and support staff to the Michigan Bullying Prevention Summit early in 2013. The team will share the information provided at the summit with the task force in order to:
- Get a current legal perspective on bullying-related issues,
- Learn proven bullying prevention strategies,
- Hear about programs that are making a difference,
- Connect with others who are passionate about bullying prevention,
- Make suggestions for improvement to our community action plan.
Anti-Bullying PD for Bus Drivers and Aides Scheduled for January
In response to student surveys completed in the 2011-2012 school year, Mason Public Schools will provide anti-bullying professional development for its bus drivers, lunchroom/recess aides, and classroom aides in January 2013. The three hour professional development session, ABCs of Bullying Prevention, will be presented by Michigan State University's Health and Nutrition Institute.
Full Anti-Bullying Task Force Meeting Planned for February
The entire task force will meet in February 2013 to discuss our new anti-bullying policy, the recently completed professional development for bus drivers and aides, and lessons learned from the Michigan Bullying Prevention Summit. The task force will discuss next steps and begin the work of planning anti-bullying initiatives for the 2013-2014 school year.
Our History of Anti-Bullying...
The information provided below gives a brief synopsis of the efforts, professional development activities, and initiatives that have been undertaken by Mason Public Schools administration, faculty, students, staff, and families to combat bullying. It is a goal of Mason Public Schools and its community to create a safe school environment that is devoid of bullying.
MPS School Safety Task Force Created
A task force comprised of over 40 individuals (students, teachers, support staff, administrators, parents, law enforcement officials, and community members) met on May 26, 2011 to formulate ideas to combat bullying in Mason Public Schools.
Participants broke into groups to brainstorm a definition, discuss how to assess the severity of the issue, initiate professional development for staff, and discuss 2011-2012 Opening Day options to kick start the process for students and staff. Data collected from this meeting was used in a subsequent meeting on June 6, which was comprised of a sub-committee (12 total participants) of the original task force. Work groups were formed around the major tasks.
Among those tasks, work groups were assigned to tackle the following items:
Many other topics/issues related to these main ideas continue to be discussed.
Participants broke into groups to brainstorm a definition, discuss how to assess the severity of the issue, initiate professional development for staff, and discuss 2011-2012 Opening Day options to kick start the process for students and staff. Data collected from this meeting was used in a subsequent meeting on June 6, which was comprised of a sub-committee (12 total participants) of the original task force. Work groups were formed around the major tasks.
Among those tasks, work groups were assigned to tackle the following items:
- Creating a climate survey for students and staff.
- Opening Day (August 31, 2011) professional development for all staff (faculty members and support staff)
- Revise current bullying policy to meet the new state legislation related to bullying (Matt's Safe School Law).
- Create and maintain a website to house bullying resources for students, parents, teachers, and families.
Many other topics/issues related to these main ideas continue to be discussed.
Kevin Honeycutt Visits Mason Public Schools
Mr. Honeycutt presenting at MMS.
On August 31, 2011, all Mason Public Schools' staff members members met with nationally known presenter, Kevin Honeycutt, to discuss bullying and cyber bullying. All Mason Public Schools staff members were present since bullying behavior can certainly manifest itself in the lunchroom, on the playground, on the bus, as well as in the classroom.
On October 31, 2011, Mr. Honeycutt returned to work with students from each of the buildings as a follow up to his work with MPS staff. For more information on Mr. Honeycutt's visits to each of the buildings and other ongoing anti-bullying initiatives, please click on the tab for News from Our Schools and then select the appropriate building.
On October 31, 2011, Mr. Honeycutt returned to work with students from each of the buildings as a follow up to his work with MPS staff. For more information on Mr. Honeycutt's visits to each of the buildings and other ongoing anti-bullying initiatives, please click on the tab for News from Our Schools and then select the appropriate building.
Update on Anti-Bullying Initiatives from MPS Superintendent
The following memo from Mark Dillingham was shared with the entire staff of Mason Public Schools on January 6, 2012. Please click on the link below to download and read the update.
memo_to_staff_1-6-12.pdf | |
File Size: | 54 kb |
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