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Organization: Northfield, MN Public Schools
The following information may be cited or quoted as long as the source is accurately mentioned and the words are not taken out of context.
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Postal address of organization/institution

1400 Division Street South, Northfield, MN 55057

E-mail address of organization/institution

Chris.Richardson@nfld.k12.mn.us

Website address of organization/institution

www.nfld.k12.mn.us

Telephone of organization/institution

507-663-0629

PRIORITIES: All of the organization's domains of culture of peace activity

EDUCATION FOR PEACE
WOMEN'S EQUALITY
DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION
UNDERSTANDING, TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY
FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

TOP PRIORITY: The organization's most important culture of peace activity

EDUCATION FOR PEACE

PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKS: What partnerships and networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the global movement for a culture of peace?

In the past 10 years we have been involved with other Northfield community organizations and Rice County organizations who have been actively promoting collaboration and cooperation in solving problems and reducing violence.  We have strong connections through our Mayor’s Youth Task Force, our Healthy Community Initiative and the Rice County Coalition.  We have continued to partner with the Northfield Police Department in maintaining a School Resource Officer and in providing anti-drug and anti-violence training at all three elementary buildings.  We have also maintained strong partnerships with various fraternal organizations.  The local Rotary has continued to partner with us on voter education as well as an exceptionally strong exchange student program that sends our students throughout the world while bringing students from many other countries to Northfield each year. We have also partnered with several state and national organizations focused on respect and responsibility as well as anti-bullying efforts.

ACTIONS: What activities have been undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence during the ten years of the Decade? If you already made a report in 2005, your information from 2005 will be included in the 2010 report.

We have continued to expand our efforts in supporting respect and responsibility as core virtues for all our students.  We have implemented Respect Retreats at high school middle school and elementary levels.  We have presented anti-violence and anti-bullying programs to students across the district.  We have continued to encourage and support collaborative decision making in dealing with difficult budget cuts, programming decisions and curriculum implementation.  Information sharing using expanded internet resources has allowed us to share messages with students, parents and community members.  Peer mentoring supports students with caring adults at all levels.

At the elementary level, our schools continue to focus on respect and building a strong community spirit.  Students are trained and available to provide conflict mediation.  Anti-bullying programs have also been presented and monthly programs celebrate positive behavior and good citizenship within the school community.  Discipline programs focus on students participating in “Fix It” plans so that they become part of the positive solution when misbehavior occurs.  Respect retreats are held in some buildings to provide reinforcement of positive messages about how students interact with one another.

At the middle school level, the implementation of the WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) has insured that new sixth graders have a positive welcome and grounding at the school.  Discipline procedures are focused on students participating in “Fix It” plans so that they become part of the positive solution when misbehavior occurs.  Anti-drug and anti-violence programs and activities support positive peaceful behavior.  A Respect Retreat is held to provide reinforcement of positive messages about how students should interact with one another.

At the high school level, the implementation of the “LINK” program provides a positive welcome to incoming 9th grade students and ongoing support as they complete their freshman years.  Advisory sessions provide the opportunity for students to come together regularly to interact and address issues or concerns.  A Respect Retreat is held to provide reinforcement of positive messages about how students interact with one another.  A number of impressive school-wide drives have been held to support disaster relief and needy children and families and foster the understanding of universal needs and our interdependence with the rest of the world.  A service learning class and a variety of service learning projects have supported the skills of collaboration and teamwork in successfully achieving a goal.

At the Area Learning Center, there has been a focus on reaching out to the surrounding community with service projects and other programs the support positive relations with the neighborhood.  This has resulted in a much more positive and peaceful environment not only at school but in the surrounding community.

School “connectedness” continues to be a major effort at all schools as we try to make sure that all students are connected to strong and caring adults each day.

PROGRESS: Has your organization seen progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of action and in your constituency during the second half of the Decade?

We have made significant progress in supporting respect and responsibility as core virtues for all our students.  Respect Retreats at high school middle school and elementary levels have been firmly rooted along with transition programs that support students as they move from elementary to middle school and middle school to high school.  Anti-violence and anti-bullying programs are in place for students across the district.  Collaborative decision making is the norm for difficult decisions including budget cuts, programming changes and curriculum implementation.  Information sharing using expanded internet resources is used daily to share messages with students, parents and community members.

OBSTACLES: Has your organization faced any obstacles to implementing the culture of peace and nonviolence? If so, what were they?

The major obstacle continues to be diminishing state funding that has forced additional major budget cuts and program reductions.  This translates into fewer staff members to maintain important programs and a need to constantly seek out grants and funders to maintain these programs.

PLANS: What new engagements are planned by your organization in the short, medium and long term to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence?

Continue to develop and expand our efforts while identifying new sources of support for current and future programs.

GLOBAL MOVEMENT: How do you think the culture of peace and nonviolence could be strengthened and supported at the world level??

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Organization: Northfield, MN Public Schools

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