When figuring out how to get started developing a Student Bill of Responsibilities and Rights (SBRR) on your campus, start with your school administrators.
Now that you’ve read through the SBRR Action Handbook, it’s time to meet with administrators who can help you draft and implement your SBRR, such as your principal, a counselor or dean of discipline. We wanted to share some important tips and questions to keep in mind when organizing these meetings:
- Consider inviting the administrator(s) to your STF meeting on campus. If they can’t come to you, designate 2-3 students to meet with them before/after school or during lunch/free period.
- The goals of meeting with your administrators are:
- Introduce them to the SBRR action plan
- Gain their support for and assistance in developing/updating an SBRR
- Ask them for help in distributing the Taking the Human Rights Temperature of Your School survey once it’s ready
Here are 5 important questions to ask administrators:
- Is there already a Student Bill of Responsibilities and Rights on campus?
- Would you be willing to circulate a survey to the whole school (students, faculty, parents – if appropriate) presented by either admin or students to gauge what your school sees as the human rights temperature?
- Would you be willing to have one or more workshop days for students and teachers on campus to review the survey results and begin drafting the SBRR?
- Would you be willing to get teachers, parents and other admin on board?
- What do you foresee as some of the biggest barriers you’ll face even having garnered support?
For additional recommendations check out the “Meeting with School Administrator” resources in the Student Bill of Responsibilities and Rights toolkit or reach out to the STF Team for support.
Ever Onward,
Kristin, Gabbi, Nyawech and Hallie
Executive Director and Principal of Palisades Charter High School, Dr. Pam Magee, shares advice on speaking with administrators to support the SBRR Action Plan (Click to watch, 22:17)