Voorhees and Burke (1995) describe Walnut Elementary School in Newbury Park, California, as part of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Recognition Program:
"The immediate community of Walnut Elementary School is approximately 50 miles northwest of the Los Angeles Civic Center. With a population of 497 students, there is a significant student mobility rate due to the large number of rental units available in the area, and the need by many parents to commute for employment reasons.
Approximately seven years ago, the Walnut Elementary School staff became concerned about increases in the numbers of discipline problems, more violent/acting out behavior, a less caring attitude about others, attendance problems, and apparent tobacco, alcohol, and other drug involvement/experimentation among its students.
It seemed that students were always in fights, teachers had more disruptions from students in the classroom, and parents were often defensive when contacted about student behavior problems.
Walnut dedicated itself to reassess the changing climate of the school and neighborhood and made changes in their programs to address the issues that surfaced. Changes have been implemented in the areas of discipline, curricula, staff development, parent training and involvement, additional support programs and community involvement.
Students are now taught how to play games on the playground, parents are asked to conference with the principal on the child's first fight, parenting skills classes are offered, and recognition and awards programs for good behavior are abundant.
Student Council is involved in decision-making. This group of more than 50 students helped develop the rules for specific playground equipment use and games. They also work on needed modifications in the Walnut Handbook. They direct and involve others in the Red Ribbon Week campaign.
The curriculum encourages students to take ownership in their own learning process and increases self responsibility for behavior. Students do community service work at a nearby convalescent home as well as tutor younger students. The sixth graders also assist younger students by supervising arrivals and departures at the bike rack and by monitoring the cafeteria and outside snack area for safety and orderliness.
For students removed from the classroom, Walnut offers several options: In-School Exclusion--a quiet space to work on school assignments for students who need it: Benching--at recess, for up to a week; Time Outs--at a designated space in school or on the playground; and Suspension." (p. 8)
For further information, refer to Walnut Elementary School's proposal for inclusion in the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Recognition program.
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