Community Matters

WSC360 is a school climate assessment- a systemic analysis process that identifies strengths, weaknesses and gaps in a school’s climate improvement efforts. Utilizing surveys, interviews, focus groups and analysis of existing discipline policies, WSC360 provides schools with a comprehensive report including specific recommendations and best practice actions to effectively improve school safety, increase attendance and promote greater academic achievement.
The WSC360 Assessment process consists of 5 stages:
1. ASSESS the Climate - Conduct a comprehensive assessment utilizing written and oral interviews with key leaders to gain a deeper understanding of the existing district climate issues, initiatives, policies and procedures;
2. DESIGN the Assessment- Utilize customized processes and tools to obtain an in-depth understanding of the school climate (includes surveys, one-on-one and group interviews, in-depth focus groups with stakeholders and a detailed review of discipline policies);
3. IMPLEMENT the Process- Conduct the assessment processes and gather input;
4. ANALYZE & SYNTHESIZE the Data - Review, analyze and organize the data;
5. PROVIDE SOLUTIONS - Develop a comprehensive report, including key findings and a set of effective and best-practice recommendations for strengthening the district's school climate. This also includes a presentation to the Board, or other appropriate body, and a digital presentation to help educate constituents and foster support for the initiative.
Program long term success
Over a five-year period, the Petaluma City School District (CA) adopted and implemented a school climate improvement plan. They replaced school resource officers with student and family specialists, replaced punitive disciplinary policies with formative ones, provided extensive training and support for staff and invested in engaging and empowering students to be positive contributors. While more than doubling its population of Limited English Proficiency students, the district experienced:
34% fewer suspensions, and 28.5% fewer
suspension days

2% increase in attendance, resulting in
$950,000 more in annual revenue

11% performance improvement on
state standardized tests

Program success monitored by:
Community Matters provides schools and/or districts with specific solution-based recommendations that can enhance school safety and reduce suspensions, while also improving attendance, increasing academic achievement and recovering much of the time and money expended dealing with disciplinary incidents.
Program success examples:
“Community Matter’s Whole School Climate 360 is the leading-edge approach in school climate improvements. They take a deep dive under the district’s hood and come up with excellent recommendations for programs, services and policy improvements so schools can better serve all students.”
Daryl Thiesen, Prevention Programs Coordinator II,
Kern County Superintendent of Schools, CA

A Waking Up Courage Assembly is a powerful, student-centered experience that enlists, unites, and empowers K-12 students to take a stand and speak up when they see bullying and violence among their peers. This presentation delivers a compelling and consistent message for three hours to all students (up to 750 per session) that neither bullying nor silence are OK. It introduces them to youth-friendly language and skills they can use to safely and effectively defuse, de-escalate and stop bullying behavior.

Program long term success
The assembly has encouraged (our) students to speak up to their peers and parents about inappropriate behaviors they've noticed or experienced, and has opened the door to change. It's been great to be able to reference the upstander messages when I am in dialogue with our bystanders and aggressors. Thanks again for your support and communication in ensuring that our assemblies were a success! - Brett Ploumen, Counselor, Adams Middle School, Redondo Beach, CA

Program success monitored by:
Success is measured by participant feedback and individual evaluations
Program success examples:
I was able to attend the Waking Up Courage Assembly for students and staff last Friday. It was so powerful! The school is still talking about it. I will definitely look into rolling this presentation out on to other campuses early next year. Charlene Hamilton, Program Manager - Suspending Kids to School, Waco ISD, Texas

Unlike a “discipline program”, Restorative Practices is an approach that offers both proactive and responsive strategies for strengthening relationships. Restorative Practices offers a means to develop relationships that are essential to building community so that conflict is lessened.  When conflict does arise, since conflict is natural, Restorative Practices also helps build the skills needed to manage conflict and behavior, meet the needs of all impacted, and restore relationships.
Community Matters offers a full spectrum of Restorative Practices administration and staff trainings to help institute restorative practices into school policies and procedures, as well as consulting services to assist with discipline policy updates, and best practices for a school- or district-wide implementation.
Program long term success
Restorative practices are the focus of current research in schools nationwide by
Johns Hopkins University and Diplomas Now, supported by the Atlantic Philanthropies; and by RAND Corporation, supported by the National Institutes of Mental Health and the U.S. Department of Justice. These projects are exploring a wide range of outcomes, including restorative practices’ effects on graduation rates, social competency, academic achievement, alcohol abuse and bullying.

Program success monitored by:
Discipline data, feedback and evaluations
Program success examples:
“Community Matter’s Restorative Practices programs both educate and inspire with three levels of training: administrators planning and implementation; classroom applications for teachers; and formal conferencing training for targeted staff. Their trainings re-charged our batteries and gave my staff a great set of tools to help transform student behavior, and to build safer, more connected school communities.” Daryl Thiesen, School-Community Partnerships; Prevention Education Coordinator – Kern County, Office of Education.

Community Matters helps schools and other educational organizations empower and equip their staffs – administrative, certificated and classified -  in increasing their understanding of the importance of school climate as a primary driver for reducing discipline incidents, improving attendance and increasing academic performance. These engaging workshops and trainings help educators:
• Learn best practices for strengthening their school climates;
• Develop a step by step “roadmap” for building stakeholder buy-in;
• Strengthen their skills for leading and implementing school change.
Program long term success
For over 10 years we have worked closely with Community Matters staff and trainers to do initial training sessions and follow up support for the Safe School Ambassadors program, including a close partnership to conduct training of trainers for a group of local SSA trainers. The Community Matters staff are always helpful, friendly and fully engaged to offer support for our school safety efforts. This collaborative partnership has truly helped us to engage youth as leaders to keep their schools safe.”

Program success monitored by:
Discipline data, feedback and evaluations
Program success examples:
The workshop yesterday with our faculty and staff was awesome! Even the veteran teachers – who were concerned they’d have to hear some of the same information that they’ve heard for years – were enthused about the day! - Rita Feild, Palmer Trinity School, Miami, FL

"I recently attended a Community Matters school climate improvement training designed for Public Safety Officers working within schools.    Everyone enjoyed the training and it was refreshing!  I must say that I was shocked by the responses and engagement of the other PSO's in the meeting!  The facilitators were great!" Fredrick Goodman, PSO Twin Rivers USD