Safe School Ambassadors: Harnessing Student Power to Stop Bullying and Violence (Paperback)

~ (Author), (Author), Chris Pack (Author)
Key Phrases: safe school climate, visible mistreatment, norm changers, Safe School Ambassadors, The High Cost of Mistreatment, The Outside-In Approach (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Safe School Ambassadors is an essential guide for school administrators, counselors, teachers, parents, and youth organization leaders. It challenges the current "outside-in" thinkingthat keeping schools safe is accomplished primarily by adults through heightened security and stricter policies. It makes the case for a complementary inside-out approach that taps the power of students to change the social norms of a school culture in order to stop bullying and violence.

From the Back Cover

Safe School Ambassadors

Though school shootings are what grab the headlines, an estimated 160,000 students stay home from school because they are afraid of hurtful treatment by their peers. Millions more attend classes fearful of the next insult, intimidating look, or shove, most of which happen out of sight and earshot of adults. For far too many students, school is a minefield; one wrong step can trigger exclusion, ridicule, bullying, or even physical violence.

Safe School Ambassadors is an essential guide for school administrators, counselors, teachers, parents, and youth organization leaders. It challenges the current "outside-in" thinking—that keeping schools safe is accomplished primarily by adults through heightened security and stricter policies. It makes the case for a complementary "inside-out" approach that taps the power of students to change the social norms of a school culture in order to stop bullying and violence.

Based on the proven Safe School Ambassadors (SSA) program that has been successfully launched in more than 550 schools, the book provides a roadmap schools can use to empower students with the tools to help stop a broad spectrum of mistreatment. The Safe School Ambassador program also fosters increased tolerance and acceptance of diversity, as well as an environment that encourages higher grades and better attendance.

Praise for Safe School Ambassadors

"At a time when many talk about the need to stop bullying and other forms of violence, it is refreshing to encounter a book that shows us how to do so. Safe School Ambassadors offers a unique and powerful approach by empowering bystanders to become peacemakers."
—Barbara Coloroso, educator and author, The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander

"This very practical book offers an innovative and proven approach to decreasing violence in schools through student empowerment. It is the only sane solution for ensuring security in our society."
—Deepak Chopra, author, The Deeper Wound: Recovering the Soul from Fear and Suffering, 100 Days of Healing

"Bullying and youth violence are critical public health issues that have serious academic, social, and emotional costs. This book provides an antidote that can decrease acts of intolerance and create a healthy and compassionate learning community."
—Deborah Prothrow-Stith, MD, Harvard School of Public Health

"The Safe School Ambassadors program has provided us with a well-designed student-to-student initiative that has made a positive difference in over 30 of our district's schools."
—Alison Adler, Ed. D., chief, safety and learning environment, School District of Palm Beach County, Florida

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass (April 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470197420
• ISBN-13: 978-0470197424
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #286,432 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT BOOK!!! ... COVER TO COVER!!!, June 13, 2008

By	Teo Alfero (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

I'm so grateful to the authors of this book. I've been working with families and youth for almost 15 years and I think this book reflects a clear understanding of the reality in schools across the country, and presents, in a sensitive and intelligent way, a very clear and effective way to create safer schools where our kids can get inspired, empowered, and ready to face an increasingly challenging world. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable and Timely Guide, July 30, 2008

By	Richard A. Lewis - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Every school administrator should take the time to read this valuable, well-researched guide to the problem and solutions to the issue of mistreatment in schools. The authors have made a strong case for student empowerment, and have given school personnel the practical tools to make their schools safer and more welcoming for everyone.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Changing the Norms, July 29, 2008

By	Jeanine R. Cowan - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The most important aspect of this book is that the strategies suggested PREVENT mistreatment, thus changing the norms. As a facilitator of adults ordered by court to take anger management classes, I would like to see more of this taking place. That way we are up stream solving the problem rather than downstream picking up the bodies. I have shared much of the information in the book in parenting classes I led. Students found the information extremely useful. To my knowledge several of them did go back to their children's schools and obtained information on how the school was addressing bullying. It's the ripple effect. Take the time to read the book and then make a difference in your community. I'd love to work myself out of a job.