This morning, I received an article that offered a viewpoint on two schools concerning their school environment and the impact of bullying within their buildings. 

It brought to mind the years that I spent working as a student assistant counselor in both the North Hills and Fox Chapel Area High Schools. Since I have a strong opinion on this subject, I would like to share that with you.

I have witnessed the benefit of faculty presence in making a significant difference........

In the Fox Chapel Area High School, at the change of classes, every teacher is out of their classroom and in the hallways interacting with students and observing for any potential issues. I'm not sure if they are still doing this but certainly hope they are as I have sung their praises for supporting this initiative.  I believe that ALL schools should require their faculty to do the same. While standing in those hallways: can we help our students to feel safe while they walk the halls of their schools?  Can we intervene when we over hear discussion of weekend parties, students being harassed by their peers or mention of  other risky behaviors? The simple act of standing in the halls can make a significant difference don't you think?

But here is another initiative that our teachers and especially our school counselors could and should do:during the lunch periods, walk the cafeteria and interact with the students. Students who eat alone need to know that they are not alone.

Looking to create support groups?  The cafeteria is the perfect opportunity to gather students together that would benefit from participating in a supportive group.  The lunch hours are a critical time in which our faculty: teachers and counselors need to be seen among the student population and not sitting among themselves in a seperate location.

We all have the responsibility to take an active role in our student's lives.  Isn't that why we're in this business in the first place?