BEMIDJI -- Schoolcraft Learning Community in Bemidji will be recognized for its anti-bullying efforts at Target Field on Sunday before the Minnesota Twins game.
For the second straight year, Schoolcraft (K-8) will receive the Achieving Excellence Award from anti-bullying organization PeaceMaker Minnesota. The award honors schools for their work to prevent bullying, and for achieving bullying rates lower than national averages.
“It really is a pretty ingrained philosophy,” said Schoolcraft Director Scott Anderson, who credited the school’s social-emotional learning program. “It sets the tone for our school culture.”
Under the program, classes at Schoolcraft begin each day with a 20-minute “circle time,” discussing current events at the school and any issues in the classroom. It’s been a part of the Schoolcraft curriculum since the school opened 16 years ago, and it’s paid the same importance as other school subjects, Anderson said.
Each year, PeaceMaker Minnesota scores the 16 schools in its network according to student survey questions: Are you bullied and how often? How do teachers react when they see bullying?
Schoolcraft scored better than the national average in eight of the 10 categories.
The Minnesota Twins awarded Schoolcraft 50 tickets to the team’s game against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday at 1 p.m at Target Field. Anderson, who will be recognized on the field before first pitch, said a mix of Schoolcraft teachers, students and families will attend the game.
Other schools to receive PeaceMaker awards are Lake Park Audubon Elementary School in Audubon, St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish School in New Brighton, Cowern Elementary School in North St. Paul, and Glacier Hills Elementary School of Arts and Science in Eagan.
