E.L. Haynes Public Charter School is receiving an award on Wednesday for its efforts to prevent bullying and otherwise maintain a safe school environment.
The top-performing charter school was selected from among the District's public charters to receive the Student Support Center's first-ever Safe Schools Award because of its "consistent efforts to better the lives of students," said Student Support Center Executive Director Carolyn Gardner. The award will be presented at a reception Wednesday night.
Among other factors, the honor is likely the result of E.L. Haynes' commitment to student health, such as efforts "cultivating students' skills in conflict resolution and relationship building," said Beth Hood, the school's director of student services.
Bullying has been a major problem in District schools. In a survey last school year of every middle school in D.C. Public Schools, at least 60 percent of students said they had been "made fun of for the way they look or talk," The Washington Examiner has previously reported.
Last April, Mayor Vincent Gray also announced an "Anti-Bullying Action Plan," which included a city-wide taskforce to combat bullying.
