ABSTRACT
Schools are thoroughly social settings. From the moment students arrive on campus to their departure for home, children and youth spend substantial time in the influential company of peers, educators, and other school staff. Indeed, the social interactions taking place in classrooms, hallways, clubs, cafeterias, courtyards, and other areas of the school are what many students look forward to most about going to school each day. Casual conversations, collaborative projects, and time spent with friends often are at the center of what makes school enjoyable. Likewise, the absence of strong social connections can make school a lonely, anxious, and unengaging place for students. Supporting students socially is an essential aspect of providing a strong and well-rounded education.
