A
roomful of 6th graders can be chaotic, but in Donna Yu's 6th grade
class at Eastern Heights Elementary in Saint Paul, students are busy at
work -- before the first bell rings! One group is working on math
problems, just for fun. Other students might be reading. They show each
other, and their teacher, respect.
It's due in part to an effort
that got underway several years ago at Eastern Heights to create a
positive, safe environment where kids can focus on learning.
Principal Jayne Ropella surveyed students, and found a significant number of them concerned about bullying. The
school has since implemented an anti-bullying curriculum and taken
other steps that have not only resulted in a more calm atmosphere, it
has helped students improve academically. The curriculum is called
Steps to Respect, available through the
Committee For Children.
To see how the program is working at Eastern Heights Elementary,
click here to visit the KARE 11 (television) Web site.
