NCJ Number
168483
Journal
School Safety (Fall 1997) Volume: 4-7 Issue: Dated: Pages: 0-30
Date Published
1997
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes five school programs in Orange County, Calif., that received awards for "Building Bridges of Understanding" from the County's Human Relations Council.
Abstract
Orange County's emphasis on "building bridges" in its schools stems from community and school diversity, the prevalence of a variety of ethnic concerns and values, and socioeconomic changes. One of the award-winning schools, Buena Park High School, created the Inter-Ethnic Council, which brings students, parents, community members, teachers, and staff members together in workshops, field trips, and retreats for interactive dialogs and sensitivity training. Fountain Valley High School was the first school in the Huntington Beach High School District to develop a program in human relations in response to a general change in demographics and an influx of students from neighboring cities. The Orangeview Junior High School uses several resources to educate and train students in leadership skills, conflict resolution, and tolerance. Willard Intermediate School, an inner- city school, has mounted a number of programs to promote understanding and appreciation among all cultural groups and people of all ages in the community, including Peers in Mediation and the training of Peer Assistance Leaders. Melbourne Gauer Elementary School established a Manner of the Month program designed to reinforce common manners that are often missing in today's society. 9 notes