“I’m very wary of using the word ‘bullying,’” Point Dume Marine Science School PTA president Gabi Frank said during a phone interview with The Malibu Times, adding, “Speaking for myself—for Gabi—I look at this as conflict resolution between students.”
Frank spoke about programs and techniques used at PDMSS to facilitate conflict resolution, and create a positive atmosphere for kids.
This is one of many conversations The Malibu Times has had over the month with various school personnel in recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month.
Similar to Our Lady of Malibu School’s Whole School, Whole Child program with nonprofit Roots & Wings, PDMSS uses a “whole child, whole family” approach. This approach gets parents involved in students’ lives at school.
“It’s about accountability, teaching your child to be accountable,” Frank said, “reminding the parents that they need to be accountable for their children and the lessons they are learning.”
The approach is part of restorative justice, a practice adopted by the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Restorative justice encourages students to talk through their problems and later make amends.
Frank, school principal Dr. Pam Herkner, and other PTA members and staff took a two-day seminar before the current school year to learn the practice.
Staff has also implemented a responsive classroom practice.
“Every morning, each class starts their day off by sitting together on the floor and greeting each other and it’s a very human approach to how our classrooms are being run,” Frank described.
“We are now creating more of a connective tissue at the base level, which is within the classroom, that really affects the way kids interact with each other throughout the day.”
Some teachers are taking this one step further by practicing mindfulness in the class. Frank said Christine Cullen and Joelin Ferguson, along with other teachers, bring in different aspects of the practice to their classes.
“They teach the children breathing techniques to be able to help with their anxiety in class,” she said.
The teachers also help students identify pressure points, along with the breathing, to help alleviate any anxiety or issues at school.
Mindfulness is new to PDMSS; the practice was established with the arrival of Herkner this year, which is due to the upcoming Point Dume-Juan Cabrillo merger. Previously, Herkner was solely the principal of Juan Cabrillo Elementary. She was not available to comment due to personal reasons.
“Dr. Pam is an incredible, positive and proactive influence on bringing these amazing programs to the school,” the PTA president shared. “It’s something kids go home talking about … We’ve seen a much more positive change in our kids.”
Frank emphasized that working and establishing a positive experience with the kids was not a one-time process or a quick fix.
“Not just conflict resolution, but building a community has to be a team effort. It can’t just happen at school. It doesn’t just happen at home,” she said.
