For Classroom Teachers

• Don’t assume that students know how they are to behave. Involve students in the development of classroom rules. When students are involved, they are more likely to adhere to rules, report infractions and understand the rationale for their creation.
• Develop a code of behavior of between five to seven rules for ease of recall. Keep the list simple and to the point.
• State rules positively, rather than negatively. For example, rather than stating, “Don’t be late to class” or “Don’t talk without raising your hand,” say, “Be in your seat before the tardy bell rings” and “Raise your hand before asking questions.”
• Be courteous and respectful of students at all times. Be alert for signs that they may need special assistance and help them get it.

For Parents

• Encourage your children to talk to you about their school day.
• If your child refuses to go to school or has a sudden dislike for a subject, he or she may be experiencing a problem with bullying. Every child has a right to a safe learning environment, free from violence by both students and adults. If your child starts to experience problems in school, talk to your child and listen to his or her beliefs about the cause of the problem(s). If it is something you can resolve with the help of a teacher, contact the teacher(s), ask what they’ve observed and see if you can reach a solution together.
• Be an advocate for your child's education. Learn about programs available in your area to improve your child's education. If services are needed that don't currently exist, get involved. Meet with principals and teachers to explore ways you can help.
  

HFI News Briefs

New Staff Welcomed to HFI
The Hamilton Fish Institute welcomed a new member of its research staff in July, Julia Sumner. Sumner is a recent graduate of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa., where she was a double major in Psychology and Communications. Before coming to HFI, she worked as a research assistant at the Center for Media and Public Affairs.

HFI Hosts Gang Workgroup
Youth gangs are a topic of great concern nationwide. Debby Jennings has organized efforts for HFI to host a series of workgroup meetings on gang prevention. The first meeting was August 28. Representatives from the Washington D.C. mayor’s office, the Metropolitan Police Department and D.C. area community groups and other stakeholders partici

pated, as well as representatives from the Virginia Attorney General’s office, Howard University and a Virginia school district. Practical information on gangs and prevention strategies were shared.

HFI Presentations
Lori McGee and Debby Jennings made a joint presentation at the Ninth National Prevention Conference, sponsored by the Comprehensive Health Education Foundation, in San Francisco, Calif. on HFI’s research and evaluation activities.

Expanding HFI's Training Opportunities
In July, HFI submitted a proposal to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to operate a 5-year training program for violence prevention leaders and practitioners.  Ruth Marshall spearheaded this effort and worked with the Institute’s research partners from concept to completion of the proposal. 

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