Newsletters 2014-15 Focus newsletter, [3] spring | Page 5

LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC EDUCATION PAGE 5 District’s unique anti-bullying work makes it a national model Anoka-Hennepin schools have attacked the problems of bullying with an energy that is producing results. Students know what do when they are bullied or see someone else bullied. They know to whom to go for help. Dr. Jennifer Cherry, Title IX and Equity Coordinator Staff know how to respond when they see someone being bullied or harassed and they take action. They know that ending bullying and creating an environment where everyone feels safe and respected in school is a priority for the district. “The priority we have placed on cultivating safe and respectful learning environments in this school district is amazing!” said Dr. Jennifer Cherry. As the result of many conversations with school district leaders around the country, Dr. Cherry concluded that Anoka-Hennepin is unique in the comprehensive approach it has taken to tackling a problem that has received increasing attention from mental health experts in recent years. She regularly receives requests from other districts wanting specifics on what Anoka-Hennepin has done. A school district in Texas, for example, recently asked if they could send a team of staff to visit the district to learn first-hand what AnokaHennepin is doing. Districts are intrigued by Anoka-Hennepin’s unique staff training program, its comprehensive system for tracking reports of bullying and harassment, its annual student survey focused on bullying and more. Here are highlights of the unique components of Anoka-Hennepin’s anti-bullying efforts. Training staff The district has implemented online training for all staff that features scenarios depicting the types of bullying incidents students have reported. Each is accompanied by guidance on how staff should react. “It is real life and it provides a co