Lindsay Unified's Green Zone should be effective

Lindsay Unified School District has come up with another unique approach to a problem all schools face — bullying — and it appears to be a very good approach, one other districts ought to watch closely.

The district has established what it calls a Green Zone at Lindsay High School that gives students with special behavior-management needs a safe haven where they can hang out and receive behavior, emotional and academic support without being subject to ridicule.

The therapy center has two behavior intervention technicians to give the students not only the assistance they need, but it creates an environment in which the students feel comfortable, and one in which they are able to learn.

The Green Zone is open before school and throughout the day. It is being done in partnership with the Tulare County Office of Education and right now it is a pilot program, but if it proves successful, and we certainly think it will, then our hope would be other schools in the area would consider a similar concept.

It appears the program is being successful because the number of students taking advantage of it has doubled in a year. Also, school officials told us that suspensions have dropped, and students told us it has definitely helped them. One student was able to play on the high school football team.

Students with behavior needs are often the brunt of much of the bullying that goes on in schools. Giving them not only a safe place to gather, but at the same time the emotional support and academic support, can only be a win-win for all.

Like its highly successful Performance-Based Learning concept that has received national attention (Race to the Top winner), Lindsay Unified School District is again demonstrating that it is at the forefront of educating children — all children.