Preventing School Violence; STOP School Violence Program within NYC Community School District 17

The New York City Department of Education Community School District 17 (CSD 17) proposes to offer Project W.I.N.G.S (Working to Inspire and Nurture Growth & Success), which aims to increase school safety in eleven schools – M.S. 246 Walt Whitman, P.S. 181 Brooklyn, New Heights Middle School, Ebbets Field Middle School, P.S. 138 Brooklyn, M.S. 484, M.S. 394, P.S. 397, M.S. 061 Dr. Gladstone H. Atwell, M.S. 340 North Star Academy, and Elijah Stroud Middle School – located in the Crown Heights and East Flatbush neighborhoods of Brooklyn. Schools were chosen based on a significant need for violence prevention initiatives and school safety training. These schools have been experiencing numerous instances of bullying, sexual assault, and conflicts generated by increasing access to Marijuana, as well as increasing exposure to violence within the surrounding communities. Currently, CSD17’s main methods of managing these conflicts among students are through teacher removals and suspensions. With the support of its partners, Project W.I.N.G.S plans to implement four main program activities – SEL/peer mediation, yoga and mindfulness, restorative justice, and counseling services – to support essential teacher training, reduce suspensions, increase school attendance, and improve school climate. Using the skills gained through Project W.I.N.G.S, students, teachers, and school staff will feel empowered to manage conflicts among themselves rather than resorting to harsh, punitive measures.