| La Paloma Academy Implements Bullying Prevention Program |
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CONTACT: Alejandra Cardenas La Paloma Academy Implements Bullying Prevention ProgramCharter school works with students, teachers to proactively prevent bullying Tucson, AZ (10/24/11) – Earlier this year, after countless violent and frightening bullying incidents popped up in the news and online, the President of the United States was compelled to address the issue of bullying, broaching the problem in a White House Conference. President Obama hasn’t been the only one moved to action. This October, La Paloma Academy’s Lakeside campus will implement the well-recognized Olweus Bullying Prevention Program school-wide as an added measure to keep the charter school a safe place to learn. The best-known and most researched bullying prevention program of its kind, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program from Hazelden Publishing is a school-wide, multitiered plan of action for long-term change. The program incorporates student feedback, student and teacher instruction and training, and parental involvement. The goal is to reduce any existing bullying problems, prevent new bullying problems, and achieve better peer interactions at school. “We take bullying very seriously here at La Paloma Academy,” said Steve Leininger, Principal of La Paloma Lakeside. “We wanted to take a proactive approach toward the prevention of bullying. To do that, it was clear we needed to have a well-studied, wellthought-out plan in place, not just for handling any problems that might arise, but for active deterrence.” As part of the program, on Thursday, October 6, La Paloma teachers distributed a student questionnaire about bullying to students in third through eighth grades. Six hundred students participated in the important survey, and the results will help direct both student and teacher education in the areas of preventing bullying and cyber bullying and achieving better peer relations at school. In addition, a Bullying Prevention Coordination Committee was formed at the school, with seven staff members participating and agreeing to complete a two-day Olweus training session at the end of the month. The committee will then share what they’ve learned with the rest of La Paloma’s teaching staff during the months of November and December, to ensure all teachers are trained. In January, the Bullying Prevention Program will be implemented school-wide. Rules against bullying will be introduced, with class and parent meetings reinforcing the importance of these rules. Supervision and intervention plans will also be in place to address any incidences of bullying that may occur. Since its inception in 2002, La Paloma Academy, now the largest and fastest-growing charter school system in Southern Arizona, has made it a priority to not only provide a well-rounded, character based education, but to offer a safe, structured public school environment. La Paloma Academy offers a private-school environment tuition-free to Tucson students in grades K-8. About La Paloma AcademyAs the largest and fastest-growing charter school system in Southern Arizona, La Paloma Academy continually discovers new fun and innovative ways to make the educational experience at each of its campuses entertaining and challenging. In just three short years, La Paloma experienced unprecedented growth, expanding from one campus in Tucson with 350 students to two campuses with over 1,400 students. Raena Janes, the founder and superintendent of La Paloma Academy, focuses her efforts on education with individualized instruction, incorporation of extra curricular activities and emphasis on the importance of family and community values. La Paloma Academy was awarded the State of Arizona’s 2005 Excellence in Education Award. In addition, Ms. Janes was named as one of Tucson’s 40 Under 40 in 2006, Phoenix’s 40 Under 40 in 2011 and Tucson’s Mentor of the Year in 2008. Visit the school’s website at www.lpatucson.org. |
