Activity for Discussion #1 -- Connecting with School Planning Teams

As you develop your prevention plan, keep in mind that many existing groups within your school and community already focus on a variety of related health and education reform issues. This activity is designed to help you document the nature and composition of these other school planning teams so that you are in a better position to coordinate your agenda with theirs. It is unlikely that you will have enough time during this five-day event to learn about all of the relevant teams, but you can take this opportunity to begin the process. Keep in mind that, while there may be some turf issues, you will probably find that other teams will be genuinely interested in and enthusiastic about your team's activities!

Note: To print this document, please choose either the RTF or PDF file below. A RTF file will open in Microsoft Word. If you choose this option, you will be able to type information directly into the table or revise it, as needed. A PDF file will open in Adobe Acrobat Reader and can be printed but not manipulated.

Connecting with School Planning Teams.rtf
Connecting with School Planning Teams.pdf

• Questions for Discussion

  Once you have completed this activity, consider the following questions and visit the Discussion Area of this website to share your thoughts with fellow participants and Training Center staff.

  • What other school planning teams did you identify?
  • Would it be helpful for you to join one or more of these teams? If so, which ones? Why?

Activity for Discussion #2 -- What's Going On in Your Schools?

Many of the research-based prevention strategies we have described may seem familiar to you. Perhaps your school already implements a life skills curriculum or has developed a set of policies to deter substance use and violent behavior. Knowing which prevention strategies your school supports and applies is a critical piece of program planning. If the strategies are working, you will want to craft a plan that builds on their success. If they are not, you will want to find out why in order to avoid repeating past mistakes.

This activity is designed to guide you through the collection of this information. It includes three steps:

Step 1: Print the worksheet below and prepare a list of the research-based strategies your school currently applies. Note: To print this document, please choose either the RTF or PDF file below. A RTF file will open in Microsoft Word. If you choose this option, you will be able to type information directly into the table or revise it, as needed. A PDF file will open in Adobe Acrobat Reader and can be printed, but not manipulated. School Strategies Worksheet.rtf School Strategies Worksheet.pdf

 

Step 2: To the best of your ability, write down how each strategy is applied. Consider these questions: What is the strategy? Who is being targeted? How long has the strategy been applied? Which activities support the strategy? Is it paired with another strategy? Why was the strategy selected (e.g., in response to a specific event)? Does it seem to be working? Why or why not

 

Step 3: Once you've made a first pass at filling in this worksheet, bring it to your planning meeting and have others on the team help you complete it. This will not only provide everyone with a more complete understanding of what is currently going on in your school, but also serve as a good introduction to the science of successful prevention.

• Questions for Discussion

  Once you have completed this activity, consider the following questions and visit the Discussion Area of this website to share your thoughts with fellow participants and Training Center staff.

  • What strategy seems to have been most successful in your school? What strategy seems to have been least successful? Why?
  • Which research-based strategies seem to be missing from your school's efforts to prevent drug use and violence among students?