Passport to Peace
A School Wide Program to Change School Climate: Teaching students how to get along without bullying or violence
Passport to Peace, a Nationally Recognized Award Winning Program, is a program launched by Hanley Center's Prevention Services, West Palm Beach, Florida. It issues a new kind of passport for elementary school children in grades K through 5, and it doesn't require travel! Instead, according to Lynn Guelzow, Director of Hanley's Prevention Services, the passport represents a trip in which students learn to develop positive social attitudes, stop bullying behavior and increase tolerance.
Teachers and guidance counselors in Florida have found the Passport to Peace program transforms the environment of schools. The program, proven effective in a 10-year pilot program at Wilton Manors Elementary in Ft. Lauderdale, was developed for children aged 5 to 12, as a character development tool, which helps them practice and develop positive attitudes through interaction and learning, increasing student achievement and school success behavior.
The twelve key character traits/attitudes in Passport to Peace are seen as important for success in life. They are:
As students study and learn a new character trait every three weeks they have stories and activities to help them understand and practice these traits. Passport stamps are given along the way as they journey through each character trait. At home activities coordinate with what is being studied in school, further enhancing the effectiveness of the program and its success as a climate change!
The program was developed by Ana Leon PhD, winner of several awards for AACE/CORE, FSCA, ASCA, Florida Atlantic University, Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce, etc. Passport to Peace was found, in the pilot program, to reduce referrals of grade K-5 students by 80 percent to school counselors or Principals for bullying and violent or aggressive behavior. The remaining 20 percent of students were school newcomers at Wilton Manors. The school has a diverse student body, with many recent immigrants who primarily speak Spanish and Creole.
The turnkey program was designed to be included in as a school-wide program with grade-level specific activities and reading throughout the school year. While all classroom and family materials are included in the modules, teachers and students have created their own activities and elements around it, such as a Peace Pole that has become the gathering place for awards and highlights during the school year.
The program's lessons promote twelve key attitudes including confidence and independence; commitment and cooperation; creativity and empathy; tolerance and respect; enthusiasm and curiosity, and honesty and appreciation. Kids collect Passport stickers on their journey through the school year.
For further information and pricing for Passport to Peace email us or call Hanley Prevention Services at 561-841-1216 or 1-800-444-7008, ext 1216.
